Lebanon to lower mobile prices in April February 4, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Financial, Lebanon, Mobile, Telecom, Wireless.Tags: Financial, Lebanon, Mobile, Telecom, Wireless
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The Lebanese government has reached an agreement to lower mobile calling rates in April. Telecommunications minister Jebran Bassil told a media briefing that the cuts will save the Lebanese USD 225 million annually, the Daily Star reports. But the minister did not expect a drastic fall in the revenues of the state-owned networks, as the price cuts are offset by an increase in subscribers thanks to planned capacity expansions. According to the new scheme, the monthly subscriptions for postpaid mobile cards will fall to USD 15 from the current USD 25 and the per-minute rate for postpaid users will drop to USD 0.11 from USD 0.13. The minister expects that more consumers will be encouraged to switch from prepaid to postpaid cards after the price cuts. More than 80 percent of the country’s mobile subscribers use prepaid cards. The price of a one-month prepaid card will drop to USD 25 from USD 45, while the cost of a one-minute call will fall to USD 0.36 from USD 0.50.
Bintel budgets USD 250 mln for expansion in Africa January 29, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Africa, Bahrain, Bintel, Dubai, GSM, Lebanon, Middle East.Tags: Africa, Bahrain, Bintel, Dubai, GSM, Lebanon, Middle East
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Middle East and Africa telecom service provider Bintel has announced major investment plans as part of its strategic expansion programme. The Bahrain-based company plans to enter at least three new markets in Africa in the next two years and has allocated USD 250 million for investment in the region. In early 2008, Bintel acquired a majority stake in Telesonique, a Swiss-based wholesale traffic company, as part of its strategy to build a reliable network of telecommunications services strategic partners. Established in 2007, Bintel has Middle East offices in Bahrain, Dubai and Lebano and operates GSM networks in Central African Republic (since mid-2007) and Somaliland (since mid-2008).
3 telcos post bid to operate mobile network in Lebanon January 13, 2009
Posted by aikservices in Alfa, France Telecom, Lebanon, Mobile, MTC Touch, Orascom Telecom, Telecom, Wireless, Zain.Tags: Alfa, France Telecom, Lebanon, Mobile, MTC Touch, Orascom Telecom, Telecom, Wireless, Zain
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The Lebanese government recieves offers to operate the nation’s two mobile networks by three companies. The telecom minister Jebran Bassil has recieved offers from France Telecom, Orascom Telecom and Zain. The contracts with MTC Touch and Alfa, the current operators of the mobile networks, expired in December 2008. Zain which already operates in Lebanon as MTC Touch has a good chance of to renew its contract for one more year. The telcos under the one year contract will have to pay a monthly fees. Bassil, the telecom minister wants the new operators to expand the number of lines and improve efficiency. The overhaul process is likely to cost $100 million.
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