www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The negotiations between the Indian biggie Bharti Airtel and South African giant MTN are likely to continue further as both operators extend the deadline to 30 September. Despite the fresh delay, Sunil Mittal, the Bharti Group’s chairman and managing director, has said that he remains positive that a deal can be reached, while also refuting claims that Bharti was under pressure to sweeten the deal. Commenting on the development Mittal noted: ‘We are not really looking at sweetening the deal… There are no contentious issues over the deal structure. During discussions, there will be adjustments to what was announced earlier, but that is not the area of focus. We are looking at administrative issues, the process of seeking permissions and working towards a scheme of arrangement acceptable to all.”
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Zain, the Kuwaiti mobile operator, is reportedly in talks with three foreign telcos for the sale of its African operations, Celtel, Chief Executive Officer Saad al-Barrak was cited.
The operator is in talks with three firms, of which one is Indian, and the talks will result into “serious negotiations” leading to the partial or complete sale of Zain’s African assets, al-Barrak reportedly unveiled.
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: China Mobile, the country’s leading mobile operator, is likely to hold talks with the Taiwanese mobile operator Chunghwa Telecom for a 3G VAS and applications cooperation. According to a media report, China Mobile’s president, Wang Jianzhou, and Chunghwa Telecom’s chairman, Lu Xuejin, will meet in person in August to discuss the partnership in information services, including GPS systems.
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Essar Group, the Indian firm, is looking for possibilities to make an investment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Dhabi Group’s telecom business in Africa. Dhabi Group chairman Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al-Nahyan and Essar Group chief executive Prashant Ruia inked an agreement to start the talks for the same.
The deal will include an equity infusion into the business as growth capital and will be the basis of a partnership to create a significant presence in Africa, a joint statement unveiled.
“Today’s agreement seeks to tap the huge potentials of the African market and create more job opportunities,” Sheikh Nahyan reportedly said. He added that the agreement will boost ties between India and the UAE.
Ruia said the details of the deal will be revealed after three to four months.
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: MTN, the South African telecom group, has reportedly said that it is still in talks with Bharti Airtel, the Indian mobile operator, for a possible merger.
“Discussions are still in progress,” MTN said in a statement.
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: France Telecom, the parent company of Orange UK, has ruled out of any talks with T-Mobile over forming a Joint Venture in UK.
“Orange has made no such offer to acquire T-Mobile UK and has no interest in making such an offer,” a France Telecom spokeswoman reportedly said.
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: After the reports, of Vodafone eyeing the T-Mobile acquisitions, doing the rounds yesterday, today the new buzz in town says it’s Orange which is in talks with T-Mobile on sealing a deal.
According to an industry source, the owners of both the mobile operators are in talks of forming a joint venture in UK mobile market and Vodafone is just trying to gatecrash the talks.
A combination between Orange and T-Mobile would create a Britain’s biggest mobile phone player — with a 37% market share.
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Vodafone Hutchison Australia has inked an agreement with Apple to launch iPhone 3G S with 3 Australia. 3 Australia had also been in talks with Apple for the rights to sell the original iPhone but the talks failed. The iPhone 3G S is now available for pre-order with 3 Australia. The operator is yet to announce the pricing details for the Apple device.