TeliaSonera to acquire 49 percent stake in Kcell (Europe, Asia)
Telecom operator TeliaSonera will acquire a 49 percent stake in Kcell for US$ 1.5 billion. According to company reports, the operator will sell 25 percent of the shares minus one share in Kcell in an Initial Public Offering (IPO), which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2012.
Company reports reveal, Tero Kivisaari, President, TeliaSonera Eurasia, this agreement is another step in the execution of their strategy of increasing ownership in core holdings. Through this transaction TeliaSonera increases its ownership in Kcell, a company where they already have management and operational control. Kcell is a clear market leader in Kazakhstan, the largest market in Central Asia, and has shown remarkable growth over the years. The fact that part of the company will be sold in an IPO will make it even more attractive.
The company hopes to finalize the agreement, subject to regulatory approvals by the first quarter of 2012.
Tele2 looks for acquisition opportunities in Central Asia to compete with TeliaSonera (Europe)
Sweden based telecom firm, Tele2 is reportedly looking for acquisition opportunities in Central Asia, in an attempt to better compete with rival operator TeliaSonera. According to reports, Tele2 had acquired a majority stake in Kazakhstan’s wireless operator NEO, in March 2010.
As per sources, Lars Nilsson, CFO, Tele2 has said that countries in the vicinity of Kazakhstan can always be of interest as long as the market is not too small. He added that the target markets need at least 1 million potential customers for Tele2 to make an investment worthwhile. Further, reports suggest that Tele2 has more than 1 million Kazakh customers and expects to reach as many as 2.5 million by the end of 2012.
TeliaSonera currently operates in the regions of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. As per reports, it is looking to increase its stake in partially owned companies and is currently investing more in Kcell.
Sources claim that Telenor has been focusing on India and regions in Southeast Asia for opportunities in the emerging markets. According to reports, Richard Olav Aa, CFO, Telenor said that he expects Indian authorities to create more transparent rules for mergers and acquisitions within the next three years, and the company would be able to engage in mergers if it meets its 2013 breakeven goal.
Kcell slashes WAP rates (Kazakhstan)
Kcell, which operates in Kazakhstan, has slashed its WAP rates for Kcell, Vegaline, and Activ subscribers.
The operator will now be charges US$0.03 per 100 KB, declined from US$0.05 per 100 KB, and billing is in 10 KB increments.
Moblika introduces International Flat 150 option (Germany)
MVNO Moblika will be introducing a new international calls package dubbed International Flat 150 for 1 June.
This new package will allow users to utilize 150 minutes for calls to the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Estonia, Georgia and Uzbekistan for US$13 per month.
The MVNO will provide two EU roaming tariff options providing 50 roaming minutes for US$7 per week and 50 MB for data roaming for US$7 per week.
The EU roaming packages can be ordered together or in combination with other Moblika tariff options. Moblika offers low-cost international calls starting at US$0.07 per minute, while calls within Germany or sending SMSs (within Germany and abroad) cost US$0.18 per minute or message.
Calls between Moblika customers will come with a price tag of US$0.07 per minute and each call abroad has a set-up fee of US$0.18.
A Moblika starter package including Sim card with US$14 call credit costs US$13 and is available at selected retailers including E-Plus shops.
Moblika is based on the tariffs offered by E-Plus’s international discount MVNO Blauworld and is a subsidiary of German low-cost international calling services provider Eco World Connect.
Opera Mini browser surpasses 107.1 mn users mark in April
Opera Mini browser had over 107.1 million users in April an increase of 4.6% from March. With this percentage Opera Mini browser has grabbed the top position as the world’s most popular mobile browser.
Indonesia and the Philippines are on top of user participation on social networks. More than 77% of mobile web users in these countries visit Facebook.
Opera Software itself has more than 400,000 users on Facebook alone. The top ten countries using the Opera Mini browser in the region are Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Moldova, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.
From April 2010 to April this year, page views in the top ten countries of the CIS increased by 198 percent, unique users increased by 65 percent and data transferred increased by 176 percent.
Beeline Kazakhstan introduces Easy Roaming service
Beeline Kazakhstan has launched the new Easy Roaming service for its subscribers.
Incoming calls and outgoing calls to Kazakhstan as well as outgoing calls within the country of location are offered for US$0.26 per minute rate.
The offer is available by the Beeline network in Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Armenia and Georgia, as well as using Beeline and Kyivstar networks in Ukraine.
Kcell slashes on-net tariff rates (Kazakhstan)
Kcell has lowered the cost of on-net calls. The new tariff is US$0.13 per minute. Tariff plans that charged less than the new rate will remain unchanged.
Changes in billing will cover KCELL/VEGALINE, Classic, Business, Standard, Super United -2, Kcell Connect and Super United Vegaline 2 tariff plans. The changes in the cooperate subscribers will include
Corporate net of subscriber fee, Corporate with the promo subscriber fee, Maximum Comfort 1000, Komanda-2, Companions, My city and My business
Kar-Tel launches Russian-Kazakhstani mobile dictionary
Kar-Tel has launched the mobile version of one of the most popular online versions of the Russian-Kazakhstani dictionary sozdik.kz, including over 60,000 words.
The mobile dictionary is accessible using tablets, smartphones and usual handsets. The service is free for prepaid subscribers of the operator.
208 operators in 80 countries currently investing in LTE- Report
A recent report by Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) has revealed that around 208 operators are now investing in LTE, which is 98 operators more than in June 2010.
According to the report, the number of countries and territories where LTE systems are deployed or planned has increased by 32 in the same period.
The report confirms 154 firm LTE network deployments are in progress or planned in 60 countries, including 20 networks which have commercially launched. A further 54 operators in 20 more countries are engaged in LTE technology pilot trials or tests.
Taken together, it means that 208 operators in 80 countries are now investing in LTE. The report covers both LTE FDD and LTE TDD systems. The 60 countries and territories having firm LTE network commitments are Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong S.A.R., Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore , South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, UAE, UK, Uruguay, USA, and Uzbekistan.
LTE networks are launched in 14 countries, namely Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Sweden, USA, and Uzbekistan. GSA forecasts that at least 81 LTE networks will be in commercial service by end-2012.
Kcell introduces roaming promotion (Kazakhstan)
Kcell has rolled out a roaming promotion which lasts until the end of the year. Incoming and outgoing calls to Kazakhstan are priced at US$0.003 per minute on networks of Kcell recommended operators.
The promotional tariff is valid in around 100 countries for all Kcell and Vegaline subscribers.
