Wireless Federation

Jordan Telecom, in 2007 was rebranded its activities into the Orange brand. In 2007, the group also made it’s first foriegn investment by acquiring a 51.0% stake in Lightspeed Bahrain. Net profit for the group rose to JD94.5mn in 2007 compared to JD86.9mn in 2006.

In H1′08, the consolidated revenue showed a minor increase of 0.3% to reach JD196.3mn, compared to JD195.7mn recorded last year.The revenue for Orange Internet and Orange Mobile increased by 31.4% and 10.1% respectively, the 9.4% decline in revenues from the fixed line segment which forms 50.0% of the group’s revenues brought down the group’s top-line in 1H-08.
EBITDA grew by 7.5% to reach JD90.7mn, with an EBITDA margin of 46.2% compared to an EBITDA margin of 43.1% reported in the comparative period in 2007. Operating expenses declined by 5.2% in 1H-08.

EBITDA margin for the fixed segment improved to reach 46.9% in 1H-08 compared to 41.6% in 2007 due to the decline in interconnection costs and the recovery of bad debts. Orange Mobile saw an improvement in EBITDA margin from 37.2% in 2007 to 37.4% in 1H-08. Also, Orange Internet EBITDA margin moved from 14.9% in 2007 to 15.3% in 1H-08.
Net profit in H1′08 increased by 12.1% to reach JD52.1mn compared to JD46.5mn recorded in 2007.

Despite intense competition in the mobile market, the group posted an increased market share from 32.4% at the end of 2007 to 34.2% in 1H-08 Orange fixed was able to maintain its 98% market share of fixed lines, while Orange Internet dominated 50.0% of the internet market, with both segments recording no change from year end 2007.
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France Telecom’s 51%-owned Jordanian venture Jordan Telecom (Orange Jordan) says it is interested in bidding for the second fixed line telephony licence in Qatar, details of which are due to be announced later this month. Amman-based daily Al Ghad reports that Jordan Telecom is confident it will be successful in its bid and cites the strong links it has with its Orange-branded French majority shareholder – along with the technical and financial support it derives – as key factors in its application. The Jordanian operator sees expansion in Qatar as key to its plan to increase revenues, estimated in the region of USD423 million. Jordan Telecom is competing with two international firms for the concession on offer, with the winner looking to go head-to-head with incumbent PTO Qatar Telecom.

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Qatar has accepted seven offers for its second mobile licence on offer, announced the market regulator ictQATAR. The qualified bidders include the ACE consortium with Indian operator Airtel, the Argos consortium with Verizon, AT&T, Batelco, Etisalat, MTC and Vodafone. The list of offers was narrowed from an original 12 companies that had qualified to make an offer. Those dropping out of the race are Orascon Telecom, Jordan Telecom, Digicel, Reliance Telecom and a consortium of Belgacom and Omantel. The seven final bids will now receive a technical evaluation, including criteria such as prior experience, proposed network roll-out schedule, technology and service offerings, business plans and the level of operator commitment. Candidates who qualify after the technical evaluation will have their financial proposals submitted to a single-round auction process. The licence will be awarded to the qualified candidate with the highest bid.

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Qatar’s Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR) has extended by two weeks the deadline for the shortlisted firms and consortiums to bid for the country’s second mobile network operating licence, the regulator said yesterday. The deadline for bid submission is now 16 September rather than 2 September, it said in a statement, without giving a reason. Twelve candidates have been shortlisted for the wireless concession: Etisalat, Batelco, Jordan Telecom, MTC, Orascom Telecom, Quic Consortium (led by Omantel and Belgacom), Reliance Telecom, Ace Consortium (led by Bharti Airtel), Vodafone, AT&T, the Argos Consortium (led by Verizon) and Digicel.

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Jordan Telecom Group (JTG) has announced the full introduction (or complete roll out) of Orange comprehensive services in the Kingdom with the re-branding of MobileCom, the Group’s GSM operator, under the Orange brand, the commercial brand of the world’s leading telecommunication service operator France Telecom Group (FTG).

The announcement was made during a press meeting held at the Group’s headquarters on August 11th, 2007 attended by Chairman of the Board of Directors of JTG Dr Shabib Ammari, and Vice President / JTG CEO Mobile Business Unit Majd Shweikeh.

“With this move, Orange becomes the sole commercial brand for JTG’s fixed, mobile, and internet services,” said Ammari. “Our customers will be enjoying Orange’s competitive range of telecom solutions and top quality services, enjoying the premium offering that will meet their needs to full satisfaction through this single and reputable provider,” added Ammari.

For her part, Shweikeh said: “Jordan has now concluded its process of joining the Orange family; one of the leading providers of convergent telecommunications services in the world and globally known for the leading integrated packages it offers”. Shweikeh added that the Group’s customers will share the unique Orange experience, connecting with 100 million other customers spread over 220 countries and territories across the globe.

With this announcement, JTG’s mobile customers who account for around 1.8 million have joined the family of over 100 million Orange mobile users worldwide.
“Customers will now feel the difference whenever they visit one of our shops that are spread across the Kingdom as Orange places its customers on top of its priorities giving them one-of-a-kind experience. Our staff is well trained to fulfill their needs and exceed their expectations by communicating and offering visitors first-class telecom solutions,” said Shweikeh who also highlighted the big role this step will play in enhancing the leading position of the Group’s GSM operator.
JTG’s GSM operator, formerly known as MobileCom, is a leading wireless provider in the Kingdom with (please add number) customers. It combines local Jordanian capability with the technological advantages and network management experience of France Telecom, its strategic partner.

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The GSM arm of JTG was first registered on 21st September, 1999, with an aim to build a new, highly advanced, mobile communications network to serve the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and has launched full public service across the Kingdom on 15th September, 2000. The infrastructure was built using the most advanced technology available on the market today and is provided by the global leader in GSM networking equipment, Ericsson.
Investments made by the Group’s GSM operator positively affected the Kingdom on a number of levels, extending its commitment to the development of the local economy, the creation of an advanced mobile communication infrastructure as well as developing the community and ICT industry in terms of education and human resources.
The company is committed to the Kingdom and the people of Jordan. Its objective is to bring about a wave of vibrant transformation and growth to the telecommunications sector, the most important industry in today’s truly global environment.
“This is another milestone for JTG where a promise of providing better telecommunications services is accomplished, thus contributing towards the achievement of His Majesty King Abdullah II’s vision in making Jordan a regional ICT hub,” concluded Ammari.

About Orange:
Orange is the key brand of France Telecom Group, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with over 153 million customers in 220 countries worldwide.

In June 2006, as part of France Telecom Group’s integrated operator strategy to deliver simple convergent products, Orange became the single brand for mobile, internet and TV offers in France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Spain, strengthening Orange’s position as the number two mobile and internet services brand in Europe. In addition, Orange Business Services became the new banner for business communications solutions and services.

Since its launch in 1994 in the UK market, Orange has been synonymous with making mobile communications an intuitive part of everyday life. Today the home of Orange has become Paris following their acquisition by France Telecom in August 2000.  However, Orange is widely perceived as a global international brand stretching across the world.

In 2007, Orange was launched in Jordan through Jordan Telecom Group (JTG), providing integrated fixed, mobile, internet and content services.

UAE-based fixed line and wireless operator Etisalat will bid for Qatar’s upcoming fixed line licence in addition to its new mobile licence, according to Jamal Al Jarwan, the firm’s general manager of international investments. Winning the mobile auction first would make the fixed licence more attractive, he said yesterday, adding that ‘They will be running two rounds, one for GSM and one for fixed…We will participate in both.’ According to Qatar’s telecoms regulator, ictQATAR, parties have until 9 September to register for the country’s second fixed line licence, which will end the monopoly of incumbent Qatar Telecom (Qtel). The winner will be announced at the end of the year. Bidding for the mobile licence begins in September, with a winner to be announced in October. Etisalat is one of twelve firms shortlisted as eligible for the wireless concession, competing against Batelco, Jordan Telecom, MTC, Orascom Telecom, Quic Consortium (led by Omantel and Belgacom), Reliance Telecom, Ace Consortium (led by Bharti Airtel), Vodafone, AT&T, the Argos Consortium (led by Verizon) and Digicel.

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