http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/telecom-iten-usCopyright 2012 Zawya Ltd. All rights reserved.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:01:00 GMT5014476http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/telecom-ithttp://www.zawya.com/images/newsletter_zawya_logo.gifhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120214040138/Nawras_GCC_SmartRoamer_rates_lower_than_new_TRA_targetsNawras, Oman's customer friendly communications provider, continues to lead the telecommunications market in Oman with attractive GCC roaming rates that are offering fantastic value for customers as well as making it easier to get closer when travelling. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:31:21 GMTOman Daily Observer ZAWYA20120214040138Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120213T105057ZIFT84/France_Telecom_Orascom_reach_deal_on_Egypt_mobile_unitFrance Telecom said on Monday it had signed a non-binding accord to acquire most of the stake held by Egyptian mobile phone services company Orascom in their ECMS cellphone joint venture.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:54:58 GMTAFP ANA20120213T105057ZIFT84Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120213014902/SR10bn_Mobily_loan_deal_to_boost_data_services_revenuesEtihad Etisalat (Mobily) signed a SR10 billion loan agreement with seven local banks to boost its revenues and invest in its broadband and data services business.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:48:43 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120213014902Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120213031959/Emiratis_spend_Dh3500_on_mobiles_in_3_monthsFashion and communication are two passionate things and Emiratis are all after that, shows a recent survey. Advanced mobile phones and Internet are the two favourites nationals in Abu Dhabi spend their money for, a survey conducted by Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED) revealed.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:46:45 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20120213031959Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120213053340/BankMuscat_rolls_out_IT_recovery_solutionBankMuscat said it has achieved a unique disaster recovery capability covering all of the bank's information technology-based operations. The scale and complexity of the solution, implemented by HP, makes the BankMuscat capability the first of its kind in Oman and the region, a press release said.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:48:36 GMTMuscat Daily ZAWYA20120213053340Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_12022012_130218/Oman_prepares_to_roll_out_latest_4G_technologyThe interest of the expatriate customer base will be at the fore even as former monopoly Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) gears up to provide Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G technology for consumers in the country.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:35:02 GMTGulf News GN_12022012_130218Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120212T124208ZIDB62/Orascom_says_in_advanced_talks_with_France_TelecomEgyptian mobile phone services company, Orascom, said Sunday it was holding advanced talks with France Telecom over the future of mobile operator Mobinil.Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:21:44 GMTAFP ANA20120212T124208ZIDB62Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212105955/Mobile_operators_to_lower_rates_for_roaming_in_GCC_countriesWith the consumers' interest in mind, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of Bahrain in coordination with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC) has issued an instruction to all mobile operators to implement reduced tariffs for international calls made to GCC countries while roaming in GCC countries.Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:07:55 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120212105955Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZW20120212000022/MobinilOTMT_shares_suspended_pending_clarity_on_Mobinil_future_EGXThe Egyptian Stock Exchange said it has suspended trading in the shares of Egyptian Co. for Mobile Services, or Mobinil, and Orascom Telecom Media and Technology, or OTMT, pending clarification on Mobinil's future.Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:41:56 GMTZawya Dow Jones News ZW20120212000022Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212042835/STC_selects_Ericsson_as_main_vendor_for_4GLTESaudi Telecom Company (STC) has selected Ericsson as one of the main vendors in the company's deployment of its LTE network in Saudi Arabia.Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:39:47 GMTThe Saudi Gazette ZAWYA20120212042835Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120212052533/Omantel_to_invest_RO84mn_on_its_network_in_2012Omantel will be least affected by the recent GCC ruling to slash regional roaming rates, according to CEO Dr Amer al Rawas, adding that the telecom company is looking to invest around RO84mn on its network this year.Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:45:13 GMTMuscat Daily ZAWYA20120212052533Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120211084110/ITS_recognized_for_innovative_cuttingedge_Islamic_banking_solutions_at_OIEFITS (International Turnkey Systems Group) won yet another regional award for its innovative, cutting-edge banking and finance technology solutions. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:10:33 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120211084110Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120211041726/Call_to_form_Gulf_federation_of_space_sciencesAhmed Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST), has called for the creation of a Gulf federation of astronomy and space sciences to promote research and development in the sector.Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:33:11 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20120211041726Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120211050405/Omantel_to_roll_out_4G_servicesOmantel is planning to roll out new generation Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G technology that will enable the delivery of wireless broadband at superior speeds. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:27:55 GMTOman Daily Observer ZAWYA20120211050405Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120210T223756ZHZU49/Google_users_warned_of_threat_to_smartphone_walletsUsers of Google smartphone wallets were being warned on Friday that there is a way to crack pass codes intended to thwart thieves from going on illicit shopping sprees.Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:54:12 GMTAFP ANA20120210T223756ZHZU49Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_10022012_110210/Ultrabooks_threaten_MacBook_AirDemand for the new and super-thin category of laptops, also known as ultrabooks, will rise in the next couple of years and pose a challenge for Apple?s MacBook Air, industry experts said.Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:32:44 GMTGulf News GN_10022012_110210Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_10022012_110211/Googles_new_privacy_policy_fuels_worriesIn a move aimed at creating a simpler and more intuitive user experience, Google has announced changes to its privacy policy that will take effect on March 1.Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:32:21 GMTGulf News GN_10022012_110211Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_100212130122/BMI_Oman_Information_Technology_Report_Nov11The total size of the Omani IT market in 2012 is forecast by BMI to be worth US$363mn, up from an estimated US$339mn in 2011. BMI forecasts a CAGR of 6% for 2012-2016. Oman's economy is relatively well positioned, but we do not see IT spending returning to its previous rate of growth during our five-year forecast period. Meanwhile, global trends such as cloud computing, virtualisation and convergence are gaining traction in the Omani market. Oman's IT market is only about 10% of the size of the Saudi market but the government is investing in IT as part of its e-Oman initiative, the strategy to diversify the economy and computers for schools procurements. In addition to ongoing demand from the oil and gas sector, this should generate IT spending in industries such as telecoms, financial services and aviation. Oil and gas remain the main pillar of the local economy and will generate spending on customised solutions, hardware and software support. Economic reform and trade liberalisation will fuel spending by public sector organisations and private enterprises. Growth in e-commerce will also drive spending by businesses on e-commerce platforms and back-office systems.Industry DevelopmentsThe government's e-Oman goals include bridging the digital divide and making e-government services available to all people in the country. The ITA has launched a number of IT-related infrastructure projects, with one core component being an e-government services portal, which is a gateway to services offered by government departments online. During the global economic slowdown, private sector IT spending slowed, but the government kept spending on IT projects within its e-Oman framework. Government projects in education and e-services will be an important source of spending. In FY10/11, government procurements of PCs and accessories for schools by the Ministry of Education were worth around US$3.2mn. The US-Oman free trade agreement, which came into effect in January 2009, has prFri, 10 Feb 2012 12:55:00 GMTBusiness Monitor International Limited pdf_100212130122Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_100212093237/CICR_EGYPT__INVESTORS_GUIDE_09Feb12In the market?s eye, it has been a fine start to 2012. The EGX 30 is up 26.5% year-to-date (Ytd) while the EGX 100 has gained 15.1% YoY, well-ahead of regional peers and one of the best performing benchmarks globally.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:25:00 GMTCI Capital Research pdf_100212093237Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120210084146/Fresh_talks_to_implement_fourth_mobile_phone_license_in_IraqThe Iraqi Ministry of Communications has begun new talks with the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) to implement a fourth mobile phone license.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:11:59 GMTAK News ZAWYA20120210084146Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120210074138/STC_a_powerful_IT_engineThe STC Group continues to maintain its top rank with its global network powerful enough to make it the main engine of communications and information technology sector in the Middle East.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:44:49 GMTThe Saudi Gazette ZAWYA20120210074138Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120210063431/Nokia_to_cut_at_least_4000_jobsNokia said almost 4,000 of its staff could lose their jobs as it announced additional restructuring plans.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:22:50 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120210063431Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209103910/Batelco_first_in_Bahrain_to_launch_broadband_for_allBatelco, the Kingdom's leading Broadband services provider has announced the launch of Broadband for All in a fantastic new prepaid inititative, a first for the Kingdom of Bahrain and the region. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:21:34 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120209103910Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209102806/Fitch_affirms_Qtel_at_AFitch Ratings has affirmed Qatar Telecom Q.S.C's (Qtel) Long-term foreign currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'A+' with Stable Outlook. Qtel International Finance Limited's global medium-term note programme (GMTN), guaranteed by Qtel, has also been affirmed at 'A+'.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:16:42 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120209102806Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209082416/Over_a_quarter_million_viewers_interact_with_RTA_on_YouTubeThe 'e 4 all' magazine issued by the Dubai e-Government described the media interaction of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) on social networking pages as both progressive and wonderful. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:59:21 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120209082416Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209041458/Health_goes_hitech_at_GCC_conferenceHarnessing the power of information technology is just one of many subjects being discussed at a two-day e-Health GCC Conference organized by Universal Conferences and Exhibitions being held at the JW Marriott in Kuwait City. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:14:54 GMTKuwait Times ZAWYA20120209041458Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209041549/Leviton_sees_good_growth_in_ME_and_Africa_this_yearMiddle East and Africa is growing market for Leviton and the company expects significant growth in the region in 2012 on its ability to provide complete energy management solutions, a top official of the company said. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:09:12 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20120209041549Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209044536/Syrias_Safar_reviews_cooperation_with_South_African__MTN_companyPrime Minister Adel Safar on Wednesday discussed with the Executive Director General of South African MTN Company Sivisio Dabingwa bilateral cooperation and the importance of enhancing it in the economic and trade domains. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:38:51 GMTSANA (Syria Arab News Agency) ZAWYA20120209044536Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209032846/CCC_to_create_10000_jobs_in_five_yearsThe Contact Center Company (CCC), a joint venture providing customer care service to Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) customers in Saudi Arabia, has announced plans to create 10,000 job opportunities over the coming five years. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:33:37 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120209032846Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_08022012_090244/Abu_Dhabi_airport_launches_website_for_mobile_devicesPassengers using Abu Dhabi International Airport can now access flight and airport information through a new website for mobile phones and tablets, whose launch was announced by the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) yesterday. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:23:20 GMTGulf News GN_08022012_090244Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_08022012_090224/Dubai_companies_upset_over_scrapping_of_online_labour_transactionsThe Ministry of Labour has stopped the online transaction system, GIT (General Information Technology), which allows companies to do all their transactions online. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:18:52 GMTGulf News GN_08022012_090224Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_08022012_090208/MENA_advertising_to_grow_34_on_social_networks_in_five_years Advertising is expected to grow 34 per cent on social networks in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region in the coming years, experts at the Digital Media Forum have said.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:14:30 GMTGulf News GN_08022012_090208Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208140314/Cisco_propels_Cloudready_switching_portfolio_Into_next_frontier_of_networking_speed_and_simplicityAccording to the Cisco Cloud Index, more than 50 percent of computing workloads in data centers will be cloud-based by 2014, and global cloud traffic will grow more than 12 times by 2015, to 1.6 zettabytes per year --the equivalent of over four days of business-class video for every person on Earth. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:25:03 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208140314Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208113225/Batelco_Group_announces_the_sale_of_its_stake_in_STel_IndiaBatelco Group, the Middle Eastern regional telecommunications operator of reference with operations across seven countries, today announced its agreement for the sale of its shareholding in STel Private Limited (STel), a mobile operator in India. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:37:26 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208113225Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208112814/Prince_Alwaleed_meets_Twitter_management_in_New_YorkHRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), met with Mr. Dick Costolo, CEO of Twitter, Mr. Ali Rowghani, CFO of Twitter and Mr. Suhail Rizvi from Twitter at The Plaza Hotel in New York on Monday 6th February 2012 during His Royal Highness's trip to the U.S. Prince Alwaleed was accompanied by a delegation that Mr. Jamal Khashoggi, General Manager of Alarab news channel that is privately owned by Prince Alwaleed and Ms. Heba Fatani, Senior Executive Manager, Corporate Communications Department, KHC.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:36:55 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208112814Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208111019/Souqcom_A_Jabbar_Internet_Group_Company_acquires_majority_stakes_in_Run2SportcomSouq.com has recently invested $2.5 million in start-up Run2Sport. The investment is a further endorsement of Souq.com's position as the region's leading eCommerce destination and of its pioneering role in the development of the online retail sector in the region. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:35:32 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208111019Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208062528/UK_visa_payment_now_via_debit_credit_card_in_OmanThe UK visa payments in Oman will now see all transactions being conducted through credit or debit cards in a bid to improve customer service standards, following the shift of the appointment and application process to the Internet last year.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:06:08 GMTMuscat Daily ZAWYA20120208062528Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208102000/Bahrain_TRA_orders_VIVA_to_stop_using_unapproved_term_for_special_mobile_numbersThe Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the Kingdom of Bahrain issued on 6 February 2012 an order to VIVA-Bahrain to immediately stop the enforcement of a term requiring consumers to pay BD 1,500 upon the termination of its Mobile Special Number Service.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:03:58 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208102000Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208104259/Etisalat_introduces_emasala_2__in_the_UAEEtisalat today announced the introduction of e-masala +2 for its eLife triple play and e-vision customers. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:48 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208104259Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208085909/Fibre_to_the_home_challenges_and_opportunities_in_MENA_region_and_In_the_worldThe FTTH market situation in MENA, Latin America and Africa regions is witnessing a very dynamic development on the Fibre projects as ultra high speed broadband projects. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:47:34 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208085909Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208095836/Ipsos_release_online_panel_dataTwo years after the launching of the Online Audience Measurement project, Ipsos has released KSA and Egypt panel data. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:23:51 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208095836Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208034958/Nawras_offers_VSAT_technology_for_companies_in_rural_areasNawras is now helping businesses in rural areas by providing enhanced coverage via the launch of VSAT technology. Even in the most secluded locations, companies can now gain access to the Internet or connect to their corporate networks nationwide.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:47:14 GMTOman Daily Observer ZAWYA20120208034958Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208035616/Omantel_revenue_soars_to_RO_453mOman Telecommunications Company SAOG (Omantel) yesterday announced its preliminary financial results for 2011, showing an increase in both revenues and net profit of 8.6 per cent and 2.3 per cent respectively. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:46:21 GMTOman Daily Observer ZAWYA20120208035616Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208040724/Middle_East_and_Africa_strong_market_for_Nokia_says_ElopThe Middle East and Africa is stronger market for Nokia in terms of market share and specially the UAE for high replacement rate of device. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:23:58 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20120208040724Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208040900/Japan_invited_to_set_up_industries_in_Abu_DhabiAbu Dhabi Chambers of Commerce and Industry has invited Japanese investment to set up projects in the areas of renewable energy, technology, electronics, petrochemicals and the car manufacturing. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:08:12 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20120208040900Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208031731/KSA_CITC_firm_on_use_of_ID_number_to_recharge_prepaid_SIM_cardsAbdullah Al-Darrab, governor of Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), said the commission would go ahead with its earlier decision to enter the user's ID number, together with a prepaid card number, to use a prepaid cell phone SIM card.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:53:37 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120208031731Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208032246/Saudi_Arabias_Facebook_community_second_largest_in_Arab_worldWith 2.9 million Facebook users, Saudi Arabia is the second largest Arab country in the use of the social media tool and the 32nd worldwide, Al-Eqtisadiah daily reported Tuesday quoting a study.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:52:20 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120208032246Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208034838/STC_committed_to_4G_network_expansionThe total number of STC Group subscribers has surpassed 160 million customers across the world, its CEO Saud bin Majed Al-Daweesh announced.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:33:15 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120208034838Open