Sunday, July 04, 2010: The Egyptian Company for Mobile Services (Mobinil) has announced its acquisition of LINKdotNET, the leading private-sector Egyptian internet service provider, from InTouch Communications S.A.E., a subsidiary of Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH), in a landmark deal which will improve customers access to a wide array of integrated communications services, create higher value for shareholders, and will benefit Egypts telecom sector.

At a press conference on 4 July 2010, headed by representatives from Mobinil and LINKdotNET, Mobinil announced the signing of a share sale and purchase agreement with InTouch Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of OTH for the purchase of 100% of LINKdotNET and Link Egypt (LINK). The enterprise value is USD 130 million.

Hassan Kabbani, Mobinil CEO said: "This acquisition is a new additional stimulating milestone in Mobinils success story, as it will develop a unified strategy for the cooperation between Mobinil and LINKdotNET, thus creating a dynamic mechanism for converging mobile services with internet services in a way that provides higher value for the customers".

Combining the knowledge and resources of two of the strongest and most recognizable Egyptian companies, the new entity will be reinforcing their competitiveness in the market. It will improve the operational efficiency through synergies and economies of scale. This will enhance Mobinils strategic direction on growing the value creation beyond voice, containing cost evolution and protecting and growing our subscriber base, Kabbani added.

Karim Beshara, CEO of LINKdotNET, said: LINKdotNET, the leading privately owned internet service provider, will benefit from the opportunity to further enhance its position as a leader in product innovation and customer service. Most importantly, Mobinil and LINK will be better positioned to accelerate investment in new technologies and new services, and agility in taking up new market opportunities.

All existing contracts and commitments to suppliers, resellers and distributors will be honored, and LINK customers will continue to benefit from its superior offerings while further converged products and services will be offered, Karim Beshara added.

The sale excludes the non-ISP part of LINK Business and affects LINKdotNETs Egyptian operations only, while the other non-connectivity business would remain owned by Orascom Telecom Holding (LINK Development, LINKonLINE, Connect Ads, Arab Finance Brokerage Company and Arpu+).

Customers of Mobinil and LINK will benefit from an improved access to a wide array of communications services including a one-stop-shopping experience for both mobile and fixed broadband services, a wider distribution network which improves the availability of products and services, the highest level of customer service and increased convenience for service delivery.

Shareholders will benefit from a stronger financial foundation and synergies between the two companies.

More than 5000 employees of Mobinil and LINK combined will benefit from enhanced long term career opportunities, security as well increased opportunities for professional growth and development as part of a larger and more agile organization.

Most importantly, the Egyptian market and economy will benefit from the emergence of a stronger and more profitable entity focusing on growth, innovation and development.

About Mobinil
For more information about Mobinil, https://www.mobinil.com/en/about/pages/about.aspx 

Press contacts:
Taha Saifullah, Media Relations Manager, Mobinil
Tel: (002) 0122 320 6770, Mob: (002) 0122 313 8955
Fax: (002) 0122 320 6755
Email: mediarelations@mobinil.com

Nelly Abdel Hamid, Media Relations Expert, Mobinil
Tel: (002) 0122 320 6771, Mob: (002) 0122 226 7023
Fax: (002) 0122 320 6755
Email: mediarelations@mobinil.com

Tamer Zakaria, Media Relations Expert, Mobinil
Tel: (002) 0122 320 6772 , Mob: (002) 0122 319 9727
Fax: (002) 0122 320 6755
Email: mediarelations@mobinil.com

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