Alfa offers free breaking news service via SMS (Lebanon)

Alfa, the Lebanese mobile operator managed since Feb 1, 2009 by Orascom Telecom, leader mobile operator in the MENA region and South Asia, announced that since June 1, 2009, all its subscribers can keep themselves updated with the most current local and international news by getting breaking news headlines on their mobile for free. This service will be provided by Alfa in collaboration with Naharnet and AFP.

The first 90.000 subscribers to sign up to this service will be granted 1st month free of charge by simply replying by a SMS to the number 1018. They will be only charged the cost of the SMS which is 0.09$.

The subscribers will be able to choose their preferred language by texting the letter A for Arabic and E for English.To end their subscription to this service, users can text the letter C or the word “Cancel” to the number 1018.
Reactivating the service requires the same procedure followed to subscribe.

About Alfa
Alfa is the brand name of one of the two Lebanese mobile networks owned by the Republic of Lebanon. Alfa is managed by Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH) since February 1, 2009.

Alfa capitalizes on its expertise in the telecom field in order to deliver a global and professional solution for the GSM sector in Lebanon. Its main target is to reach one million subscribers by end of 2009.

About Orascom Telecom

Orascom Telecom is a leading international telecommunications company operating GSM networks in high growth markets in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, having a total population under license of approximately 498 million with an average mobile telephony penetration of approximately 48% as of March 31st, 2009. Orascom Telecom operates GSM networks in Algeria (“OTA”), Pakistan (“Mobilink”), Egypt (“Mobinil”), Tunisia (“Tunisiana”), Bangladesh (“banglalink”), and North Korea (“Koryolink”). OTH has an indirect equity ownership in Globalive Wireless which has been granted a spectrum license in Canada. OTH was also awarded the management contract of one of the two Lebanese mobile telecommunications operators (“Alfa”) from the government of the Republic of Lebanon. Through its subsidiary Telecel Globe, OTH also operates in Burundi, the Central African Republic, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Orascom Telecom had over 80 million subscribers as of March 31st, 2009.