Telecoms

TPG acquires 7.5% of Airtel Africa’s mobile money business

U.S.-based private equity firm TPG announced on Thursday that it has acquired a 7.5 percent stake in Airtel Africa’s mobile money business for a sum of $200 million, the telco said in a statement. Airtel Africa, the African arm of India’s Bharti Airtel, is also currently holding further negotiations with other companies to sell off […]

FCC eyes up 3 new Chinese telecoms companies for CCMC designation

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is eyeing up to three new Chinese telecoms companies for potential addition to the U.S.’ Communist Chinese military companies (CCMC) designation, the regulator announced on Wednesday. The FCC launched proceedings to determine whether to end authorization, China Unicom Americas, Pacific Networks and its wholly owned subsidiary ComNet’s authority to provide […]

Ooredoo reaches top 40 global telcos for the first time

Qatari telecoms giant Ooredoo Group announced on Sunday that it has reached the 40th position in the top 50 global telecommunications brands, up one place from 41 in 2020, as confirmed by the Brand Finance Telecoms 150, 2021 report. This is the fifth consecutive year where Ooredoo Group has appeared on the list, as it […]

Huawei tops the global telecoms kit market, despite all odds

Despite all odds, Huawei has increased its market share as the top telecoms equipment vendor worldwide, mainly due to strong demand within mainland China through all of 2020, a recent report stated on Monday. According to a report by U.S.-based telecom insights company Dell’Oro Group, the Chinese vendor’s share by revenue rose by 28 percent […]

MTN faces rocky situation in Syria, hampering Middle East exit

South African operator MTN is facing a rocky situation in Syria, as the company was placed under a judicial guardianship following a court battle that went in favor of the country’s telecoms regulator. The Syrian Telecommunications and Post Regulatory Authority had previously accused the provider of mismanagement and violations of its licensing contract. According to […]

Beeline Telecom to become 4th provider in Zambia

Beeline Telecom has become Zambia’s fourth provider earlier this week after receiving its license to commence mobile phone operations from the country’s ICT regulator ZICTA. Beeline, a Zambian wholly owned company, has been granted a period of 6 months to kick start its operations, unless determined by the authority, or the license will be revoked. […]

STC, Etisalat most valuable telecom brands in MEA, report says

UAE’s Etisalat and Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Telecom (STC) have topped the list of the most valuable telecom brands in the MEA region, just weeks following STC’s highest-ever annual revenue for the past decade. According to Brand Finance Telecoms 150 2021 report, STC’s brand value increased 14 percent to $9.2 billion, jumping five places to 13th […]