Batelco partners with Omantel to extend corporate VPN solutions (Bahrain)
Batelco, Bahrain’s leading integrated communications company is further demonstrating its position as a provider of cutting-edge services by launching MPLS IP VPN interconnectivity in partnership with Omantel, the number one service provider of advanced communication solutions in Oman.
Batelco’s General Manager Enterprise and Government Division Adel Daylami and Omantel Senior Manager Capacity & Submarine at Wholesale Business Unit Johannes Boersma signed the partnership agreement on the sidelines of the International Telecoms Week (ITW) held in Chicago, US, on May 14-16.
Building on existing agreements, this partnership will allow bi-lateral Data IP Services to be sold between Bahrain and Oman, as well as providing one-stop-shop transit services to Batelco’s and Omantel’s carrier partners, enabling both parties to extend corporate VPN solutions between their respective markets. This agreement will provide state-of-the-art, end-to-end MPLS VPN services to Bahrain and Oman-based businesses that wish to establish secure inter-office connectivity between both locations. Through this agreement, Batelco and Omantel will further strengthen its offering to carrier and corporate customers in all GCC countries, Middle East as well as anywhere around the globe.
Daylami said that this strategic bi-lateral understanding is an important addition to Batelco’s portfolio of OSS agreements, links for Batelco’s international customers and partners can now be extended to all GCC countries through Batelco’s Global IP VPN reliable, state of the art network.
He added that accordingly, this comes in line with Batelco’s International Carrier Relations (ICR) strategy via its presence in all GCC countries as well as other key destinations, through reliable MPLS, Ethernet and IPLC networks in order to expand the company’s IP Data Services reach to all major destinations.
This agreement complements Batelco’s range of global connectivity services such as Global IP-VPN, Global Ethernet, IPLC, Global Satellite services and a Global Datacenter that not only enhances efficiency by offering seamless, secure and dedicated interconnectivity but also the reliable support of a professional team working 24×7 in Batelco’s sophisticated NOC’s (Network Operation Centre’s).
Boersma said that Omantel provides a comprehensive range of managed services to companies and carriers, and this new agreement with Batelco enables Omantel to increase the depth of its MPLS VPN portfolio, adding additional regional capabilities. The company is proud to work with Batelco, which is a long-term partner of Omantel.
Batelco cancels plans to sell tower in Bahrain, Jordan (Bahrain)
Bahrain Telecommunications (Batelco) has cancelled plans to sell its transmitter towers in Bahrain and Jordan and will instead look to share infrastructure with rival operators, said chief exective, Sheikh Mohamed Al-Khalifa.
Reuters had revealed in December that Batelco was considering a sale and lease back deal for its towers in the two countries, with funds raised earmarked for future acquisitions. Al-Khalifa said that Batelco has decided not to proceed with any tower sale in Bahrain and Jordan as various sale and lease back proposals did not create sufficient, long-term economic value.
Batelco will instead look to share towers and other infrastructure with rival operators. Sheikh Mohamed added that as more towers, rooftops and indoor solutions will be required in the future, such co-operation between operators will increase.
Orange Jordan dominates 55% market share in broadband segment (Jordan)
Orange Jordan, a subsidiary of Jordan Telecom Group, said that its fixed and wireless broadband Internet represents around 55 percent of the kingdom’s total market share.
Orange Jordan’s Chief Executive Sami Smeirat told Dow Jones Newswires that they have around 400,000 subscribers in both the wire and wireless broadband.
As per the report, Smeirat said Orange, in which France Telecom (FTE) owns a 51 percent stake, has currently over 34 percent market penetration as far as the mobile services are concerned, or around 2.6 million subscribers.
Jordan currently has three mobile operators, including Zain Jordan, a subsidiary of Kuwait’s Mobile Telecommunications Company, Orange Jordan, and Batelco’s unit Umniah.
Orange Jordan saw growth in broadband 3G services boosting the 2011 bottom line in a sector which has seen a fierce turf war among the three operators and is hit by sluggish economic growth.
Batelco announces network upgrade to improve customer experience (Bahrain)
Batelco, Bahrain’s leading telecommunications provider, will be carrying out modernisation work starting from May 7, as part of the Company’s ongoing strategy to enhance its networks and keep them on par with the highest international standards.
This upgrade work, which will deliver major enhancements to Batelco’s Voice and ISDN services, may cause some brief disruption to services including Voice, ISDN Primary and Basic service. However, measures have been taken to ensure minimal degradation to services while the upgrades take place. The upgrade work will take place in the early hours of the morning between 12am and 6am and is expected to affect each area for less than 10 minutes.
The modernization work is scheduled for the following dates and locations: -
On May 7th and 13th the areas which may be affected are:- Hawar, Jaw, Sakhir, Mahooz, Hamala, Umm Nasan, Borders of Island, Budaiya, Khamees, Saar, Sitra, Waddi, Isa Town, Ma’ameer, Ras Abu Jarjoor, A’Ali, North Isa Town, Awali, West Riffa, Dumistan, Jazaer, Nuzha, Rowdha, Sadad, Riffa, Maqsha, Lawzi, Sanad and BIC.
On May 19th and 23rd work will be carried out in:- Central Manama, Abu Mahir, Bahrain Financial Harbour, City Centre, Diplomatic Area, Hidd, Hoora, Juffair, Manama, Muharraq, Qudabiya, Ras Rumman, Seef, World Trade Centre, Hidd Industrial Area, Sh. Salman Port, Sanabis and Samaheej.
Batelco Group General Manager Media Relations Ahmed Al Janahi, said that they apologise for any inconvenience the upgrade work may cause and appreciate the understanding and cooperation of their customers.
Batelco appoints Marco Regnier as CFO (Bahrain)
Bahrain’s leading telecom operator, Batelco Group, has appointed Marco Regnier as group chief financial officer (CFO) with immediate effect. According to reports, group chief executive Shaikh Mohamed bin Isa Al Khalifa said that they are are pleased to welcome Marco to the Group. His experience internationally and with other regional telecommunications companies in our markets of operation will further strengthen Batelco Group’s management team.
He added that it also supports efforts, at this important time, for continued market leadership in Bahrain and the group’s drive for growth across the Middle East and North Africa markets and Asia. Further, he would also like to take this opportunity to express our collective gratitude to Kataryna Stapleton for her continued dedication and professionalism over the last five years with Batelco. He said that she has added considerable value to the group and its subsidiaries and they wish her the best in her future endeavours.
Prior to this Regnier was employed with Tunisie Telecom as CFO for three years.
Batelco’s Q1 profit down by 8% as subscriber base decreases (Bahrain)
Batelco Group, the regional telecommunications operator of reference with operations across six countries, announced its results for the first three months of the year ended 31 March 2012. The period was marked by continued market leadership in the Kingdom of Bahrain, its home market, and solid contributions from overseas markets especially from Jordan and Kuwait.
The company reported Net Profit of US$42.7 million versus US$46.4 million for the corresponding period in 2011, a decrease of 8 percent year over year. EBITDA for the period was US$75.1 million, representing a 36 percent margin, versus EBITDA of US$86.5 million for the corresponding period in 2011.
Batelco Chairman, Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, announced the Group’s first quarter 2012 results following a Meeting of the Board of Directors at Batelco’s Hamala headquarters stating that during the first quarter of 2012, they continued to focus their efforts on maximising the performance of their investments overseas whilst maintaining market leadership in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
In line with the guidance that they provided at the outset of the year, their results for the quarter reflected the continued impact of significant competition in Bahrain and in the highly competitive environments across the MENA markets in which they operate. They are nevertheless pleased with the ability of the Group companies to continue to deliver solid results, despite challenging operating environments, as evidenced by strong cash flow generation during the period and the overall strength of our balance sheet.
Having ended the quarter with significant cash balances despite significant one-off capital expenditures, they continue to be in a strong position to deploy their resources towards further strengthening their existing operations and making investments in the growth and expansion of the Group, which is a key priority in 2012 as they work to build scale and deliver even greater value for customers and shareholders.
For the first three months of the year, the Group reported a decline in mobile subscribers of 40 percent since the previous quarter and by 32 percent when compared to the first quarter of 2011. This is largely due to the adjustment for the exclusion of STel operational and customer data. Normalising for the exclusion of STel, mobile subscriber numbers across the Group for the first quarter would have shown a decline of 9 percent since the previous quarter and a 2 percent decrease when compared year over year due to competitive pressures in Bahrain and elsewhere across the region.
Broadband customer numbers on the other hand remained robust. For the first quarter, the Group reported a solid 4 percent increase since the previous quarter and 5 percent growth when compared to the corresponding period in 2011.
Umniah begins preperation for 3G launch (Jordan)
Umniah, the leading telecom operator in Jordan and a subsidiary of Bahrain’s Batelco Group, has announced that it was gearing up for the rollout of 3G services across the kingdom in the coming months, according to a report by TradeArabia.
As per ther report, Umniah said preparations were underway for the completion of the newest 3G network in the Kingdom. The company confirmed that it is in the process of finalizing the network in order to meet the growing demands for high-speed Internet in the Jordanian market.
The operator announced that it had signed key agreements with Huawei and ZTE to assist in the technical requirements related to the building of the 3G network for Umniah’s corporate and individual subscribers.
Umniah CEO Ihab Hinnawi said that they are expecting to launch their 3G services in the coming few months. Further, the market has shown a number of indications that signify its readiness for 3G services as they have seen an increased demand for broadband Internet services, an increase in smartphone penetration rates, an improvement in purchasing power as well as a rise in content and applications that are suited to our community and lifestyle.
Hinnawi said Umniah had invested $70.4 million in January for a 3G licence and dedicated additional amounts towards infrastructure and network expenses.
As per the report, the telecom group had also acquired 2.1 GHz of spectrum from the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), preparing it to move forward with the rollout of the advanced 3.75G services to its growing customer base, he stated.
Umniah currently serves more than 2.3 million customers in the Kingdom, giving it a 31 per cent market share, he added.
Batelco and Qtel sign MoU extending cooperation agreement (Middle East)
Following the successful partnership agreement signed between Batelco – the Kingdom’s leading integrated telecommunication services provider, and Qtel, Qatar’s leading telecommunications provider, in August last year, the two companies have recently signed an MoU.
This MoU complements the previous partnership agreement and is in line with Batelco’s ambitious strategy that aims to extend the company’s global reach through successful partnerships with key regional and international players.
The deal is meant to expand cooperation between Batelco and Qtel in areas that cover Products and Services including Voice, Internet, Data, Facility Management & Mobile; Application & Content Services; Business Solution Services; Sales and Marketing collaboration; Carrier Services such as Roaming, Voice & Capacity; and Facility Management Services.
Batelco General Manager Enterprise Division Adel Daylami said that such strategic bi-lateral understanding is vital for Batelco to achieve its prime goal of providing its customers in all segments with the best services wherever they are.
He added that this MoU will enable both parties to provide cutting-edge, end-to-end services to local and international business based in Bahrain and Qatar.
Daylami further said that business customers, in both Bahrain and Qatar, are now enjoying the numerous benefits resulting from the agreement signed last year between Batelco and Qtel and will enjoy more in the future thanks to this MoU.
The MoU is expected to make a difference for customers of both companies, in terms of quality and range of services to be delivered via the reliable, state-of-the-art networks of the two operators.
Ahmed Al-Derbesti Chief Wholesale & International Officer, Qtel, said that they have a partnership of long standing with Batelco, and this MoU opens the door to providing more quality products and services to our customers in Qatar. Qatar’s telecommunications needs are growing daily, in both the consumer and business markets, and agreements such as this keep them well ahead of demand and focusing on the changing needs of their customers.
Batelco Introduces SMS Translation Service (Bahrain)
Batelco, Bahrain’s leading telecommunications provider has introduced a new SMS service to translate text from English to Arabic instantly. The service, which is available for both prepaid and postpaid customers, provides instant translation of words or phrases by simply sending the chosen words by SMS to 92001.
Up until April 30th customers can try out the new SMS translate service free of charge. Following the promotional period, each SMS will be charge at a rate of 250 fils.
This service has been designed to enhance the current portfolio of services available for Batelco’s mobile customers, said Batelco Group General Manager Media Relations Ahmed Al Janahi.
He added that Batelco designs and develops convenient services for all segments of its customers to deliver products and services to meet their requirements and to ensure they benefit from the best value for their money.
