Mobile operators to offer 3G services in Lebanon
Telecom Minister, Nicolas Sehnaoui has reportedly announced that Lebanon’s two state-run operators, Alfa and MTC, will offer 3G services from next month starting at $19 per month for 500 megabytes. According to reports, he said that the act of increasing the Internet speed and decreasing the prices can put Lebanon on the map as being one of the fastest connections in the region. He added that Lebanon could become a regional hub, with the building of the ‘Media and Smart City.’
While industry analysts believe that 3G is a step in the right direction and can be beneficial for the country, they are also concerned that Lebanon may lack the necessary infrastructure required for the upgrade. Further, too many subscribers and heavy traffic flow could lead to a congested network.
Alfa selects Ericsson for 3G network contract in Lebanon
Lebanon based mobile network operator, Alfa has signed a network expansion contract with Ericsson for the deployment of a 3G network in the country.
As per the contract, Ericsson will be responsible for the upgrade and modernization of the current Alfa mobile network to 3G/ HSPA+ technology across the country.
Alfa is a state-owned mobile network managed by Egypt’s Orascom Telecom. Earlier this month, Orascom Telecom signed a one-year extension to its ongoing management contract to look after the mobile network. The contract, signed with the Lebanese Ministry of Telecom, will run until February1, 2012.
Orascom Telecom renews management contract with Alfa (Lebanon)
Orascom Telecom has signed a one-year extension to its ongoing management contract with Lebanese mobile network, Alfa. The company has signed the contract with the Lebanese Ministry of Telecom and will run until 1st February 2012.
The renewal of the contract is an opportunity for Orascom Telecom to execute the long-term development plans and projects it is planning for the telecom sector in Lebanon, and on top of those, comes the introduction of 3G in Lebanon.
This is in addition to introducing a new variety of services, expanding Alfa’s coverage to new regions and spreading the outreach of information technology services to all over Lebanon.
According to Orascom Telecom Lebanon Chairman & CEO, Mr. Marwan Hayek, they are pleased to renew their management contract of the first Lebanese mobile telecom network with Lebanon’s Ministry of Telecom, which is an opportunity for them to re-emphasize their commitment towards the Lebanese mobile market. They are looking forward to the future, to accomplish new achievements within Alfa, and to support the Lebanese mobile sector in regaining its pioneering position in the region, in line with the ambitious plan set by the Lebanese Ministry of Telecom for the sector.
Ukraine’s Anti-Monopoly Regulator Starts Investigation into Altimo Holdings
Ukraine’s Anti-Monopoly Committee has started an investigation into Altimo Holdings & Investment Ltd, after it failed to give information about the scope of its investments in the country.
According to Kiev-based regulator, such illegal acts of Altimo hamper the committee from completing its review of an earlier decision allowing Telenor and Alfa, which controls Altimo Holdings, to merge their Ukrainian assets in new mobile operator VimpelCom.
The Committee also began its investigation at Crown Finance Foundation and CTF Holdings, which are also part of Alfa Group, after they took control of Astelit, Ukraine’s third-largest mobile operator, even without the regulator’s permission.
AMC doubts that there is a concentration in the Ukrainian mobile communications market in the hands of one operator, and that this is already leading to higher prices for consumers.
Orascom extends management contract with Alfa (Lebanon)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The management agreement between Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH) and Lebanon’s Alfa Network has been extended by the former for a period of 6 months ending on July 31, 2010.
A monthly sum of US$2.5 million in addition to 8.5% of total revenues is received by OTH under this contract. All the operational expenses (OPEX) of the network are OTH’s liability which is also entitled to keep the remainder as management fees. The Republic of Lebanon is fully responsible for the CAPEX during the contract period.
According to Khaled Bichara, Orascom Telecom’s CEO, the company is glad of the achievements made in the Lebanese mobile market through its management of Alfa during the past year, and are hoping to secure a presence for OTH within the long term plans of the Republic of Lebanon for its mobile communication market.
Lebanon’s network privatizations postponed until end of year
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The sale of two mobile phone networks in Lebanon which has already been delayed many a times is again delayed till the end of this year. US$7 billion was expected to be raised through this sale for the heavily indebted government, although valuations have fallen since the economic downturn.
10- Year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement led to the set up of Lebanon’s two operators in June 2001. However, the government controversially cancelled the BOT licenses held by LibanCell and Cellis which were not due to expire until 2004 and invited bidders to manage the networks on its behalf, and the concession was eventually awarded to Zain and Alfa.
Political turmoil in the country had led to the failure of network sales.
RIM and Alcatel-Lucent joins Alfa to provide BlackBerry solution in Lebanon
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Lebanese mobile operator Alfa, managed by Orascom Telecom’s launched the BlackBerry solution for Alfa customers in Lebanon along with Alcatel-Lucent and Research in Motion.
BlackBerry® smartphones like the BlackBerry® Boldâ„¢ 9000 smartphone and the BlackBerry® Curveâ„¢ 8900 smartphone; along with unlimited1 MB for BlackBerry® Service local usage is offered by Alfa to its customers.
Users of the Alfa mobiles can enjoy various features like easy, wireless access to email, phone, calendar, web, multimedia and a range of other business and leisure applications. Subscribers also get an added incentive from Alfa which is offering one month’s free subscription with BlackBerry Internet Service to the first buyers of any BlackBerry® smartphone.
According to Samer Salameh, CEO of Alfa, the joint effort of the company with Alcatel-Lucent and RIM is focused on providing exceptional service to the customers. The strong local presence of Alcatel-Lucent and RIM will provide an edge to Alfa to implement, launch, deliver and support services for the BlackBerry solution in the Lebanese market.
