Mobily announces award of MVNE solution and services contract to XIUS (Saudi Arabia, India)
Mobily, the fastest growing mobile communications and technology provider in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the award of its MVNE solution and services contract to XIUS, an Operating Brand of Megasoft Limited Hyderabad, India.
XIUS is providing MVNE/MVNO network infrastructure and operations managed services as well as MVNE back-office services required for the qualification and launching of MVNO on the Mobily network and MVNE platform and ultimate offering to potential MVNO subscribers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. XIUS is employing its Mobile Services Platform infrastructure and framework, currently deployed in multiple global locations, which will provide MVNO with its own separate network components and flexible capabilities for service offerings to its targeted subscribers.
GV Kumar, Managing Director and CEO of XIUS, said that they are very proud and excited to be working with Mobily on their foray into the MVNO market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As well, their Mobile Services Platform provides Mobily, and the MVNO it serves, with a flexible suite of network components, OSS/BSS, and VAS solutions that will be leveraged by the MVNO to offer distinct, separate, and compellingly different subscriber offerings.
Dr. Eyas Al-Hajery, Mobily’s Senior Executive Vice President for Wholesale and Carrier Services, said that they have chosen XIUS Mobile Services Platform after an exhaustive selection process that includes an extensive list of vendors. The platform will enable Mobily to provide carrier class comprehensive MNO/MVNE services to potential MVNOs.
The MVNO will be able to focus on its identified market target segment, develop unique plans and service offerings, and bring new and different value added solutions without dependence on the mobile network operator, utilizing the XIUS Mobile Services Platform being installed solely for the use and utilization of the MVNO.
Mobily and Huawei announce first commercial Service Delivery Platform (Middle East, China)
Etihad Etisalat (Mobily), Saudi Arabia’s leading mobile operator, and Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, have revealed the implementation of the Middle East’s first commercial next generation Service Delivery Platform (SDP) involving landmark advances to nearly every segment of the operator’s nationwide mobile network.
Amidst fierce competition within the Saudi telecom sector, Mobily announced in early 2011 that it would undergo a strategic business transformation that would provide more innovative services to its customers while streamlining overall operations and management processes. The technology behind the resulting SDP platform has been engineered specifically for the operator by Huawei—a leading ICT solutions provider which has successfully deployed SDP solutions across the globe and ranks first in overall market share for SDP delivery.
With the next generation SDP, Mobily will be able to more rapidly implement new multimedia services collaborating with content publishers, service providers and all other players on the value chain. The platform also allows Mobily to do things like setting up their own app store, integrating with OTT content providers, and developing cloud-oriented services—all part of opening the door to more diverse revenue streams and a healthy business ecosystem.
Khalid Al Kaf, CEO, Mobily has said that they are very proud of this cooperation between Mobily and Huawei. The Middle East’s first commercial next generation Service Delivery Platform (SDP) is part of Mobily’s initiative to enrich the telecom sector and customers’ experience.
Mobily has partnered with Huawei on numerous occasions leading up to the SDP launch, including the initiation of Mobily 4G LTE services in September 2011 which will eventually cover more than 30 cities and towns representing 85 per cent of the populated areas in KSA.
Yi Xiang, President of Middle East, Huawei, has said that this project was a fantastic opportunity to work with Mobily to build a strong operation, assurance, and optimization system that could be integrated into the pre-existing network. As legacy services, operations and networks are replaced with these software-driven frameworks, the traditionally separate IT and telecom worlds are now converging. This particular Huawei SDP solution will enable Mobily to tap into new revenue streams across the telecom, media, and Internet industries by extracting value from mobile broadband and cross-industries business.
Currently, Huawei SDP solutions are being used by more than 100 operators around the world including the top five multinational telecom operators globally.
Mobily partners with Huawei for network upgrade (Middle East, China)
Mobile operator Mobily, has partnered with Huawei for the implementation of the next generation Service Delivery Platform (SDP) in an attempt to upgrade mobile network. According to reports, the upgrade is expected to be the first of its kind in the Middle East.
As per reports, the next generation SDP, will enable Mobily to offer better multimedia services, cloud based services as well as set up its app store.
Khalid Al Kaf, CEO, Mobily said that they are very proud of this cooperation between Mobily and Huawei. The Middle East’s first commercial next generation Service Delivery Platform (SDP) is part of Mobily’s initiative to enrich the telecom sector and customers’ experience.
Yi Xiang, President of Middle East, Huawei, claims that this project was a fantastic opportunity to work with Mobily to build a strong operation, assurance, and optimization system that could be integrated into the pre-existing network. Xiang added that as legacy services, operations and networks are replaced with these software-driven frameworks, the traditionally separate IT and telecom worlds are now converging. This particular Huawei SDP solution will enable Mobily to tap into new revenue streams across the telecom, media, and Internet industries by extracting value from mobile broadband and cross-industries business.
Mobily CEO claims Saudi Arabia may cut connection fees in 2013 (UAE)
Mobily CEO, Khaled Al-Kaf, has said that Saudi Arabia may cut call-termination rates for telecom operators in 2013, in an attempt to increase competition, according to a report by Reuters. Al-Kaf states that next year, there will be a reduction in termination fees, unless the regulator foresees a more accelerated termination (reduction) rate to be introduced.
As per the report, Saudi termination fees have remained the same for over four years at $0.07 for mobile-to-mobile and fixed line-to-mobile calls and $ 0.027 for mobile-to-fixed line calls, effectively setting minimum call prices.
Industry analysts claim that the regulatory authority has previously been concerned about reducing termination rates stating that the operators may drastically reduce tariffs, negatively affecting competition.
The report reveals that Saudi operators pay royalties of 15 percent on mobile revenue, 10 percent on fixed line and 7 percent on data.
Etisalat and Mobily compete to be the first to provide LTE services in the Middle East
Mobile operators Etisalat in the UAE and Mobily in Saudi Arabia are both in an attempt to become the first operator to provide LTE services in the Middle East. According to reports, Marwan Zawaydeh, Etisalat’s CTO, said in April, that the firm was satisfied with its trials of LTE and that the market was ready for the technology, hinting at an early launch. However, based on recent news, sources claim that Etisalat may offer the service early next year.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabian operator Mobily has been facing problems with the allocation of LTE spectrum in Saudi Arabia. With the military using the 2.6 Ghz spectrum band, the operators are not allowed to launch their preferred FDD-LTE in that band. As a result, Mobily aims to launch a TD-LTE service using spectrum that it holds through a subsidiary.
Huawei B593 TD-LTE router to be launched in October (Asia)
Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider aims to launch the Huawei B593 TD-LTE wireless broadband router through Saudi Arabian operator Mobily in October this year. With the increasing consumer base accessing the internet through their mobile handsets and streaming music and videos constantly, even the 3G networks are facing difficulties in managing the large volume of data flow.
The router is expected to support LTE TDD and FDD and provide access to up to 32 WiFi devices. According to reports, Hu Guangping, head of Mobile Broadband LTE division, Huawei Device said that this product will provide operators the ability to provide the consumers superfast internet access without the need for fixed network infrastructure enabling them to expand their subscriber base in a more flexible and cost-effective way.
Mobily, a subsidiary of Etisalat seeks to use the product in scarcely-populated areas in West Asia where infrastructure costs are very high with a slow return-on-investment.
Mobily inks LTE, WiMAX deal with Samsung (Saudi Arabia)
Mobily has inked a deal with Samsung Electronics for LTE and mobile WiMAX equipment.The agreement is part of Mobily’s plans to invest US$120 million on 4G technologies.
As per the terms of the deal, the South Korean vendor will install LTE base stations in over 30 cities in Saudi Arabia, as well as upgrade Mobily’s mobile WiMAX network.
Mobily, part-owned by Etisalat of the United Arab Emirates, ended in 2010 as Saudi Arabia’s second largest mobile operator by subscribers, claiming a 40% share of the market.
Saudi Telecom eyes firm growth from foreign units
Saudi Telecom Co, the Middle East’s largest listed telecom operator has stated that it is expecting steady revenue growth from its international operations this year as it continues to add subscribers in countries like Indonesia, India and Kuwait and would consider the right acquisition opportunity should it arise.
The company, which sourced around 33% of total revenues in 2010 from its foreign units, expects its current rate of revenue expansion offshore to stabilize in 2011.
According to Ghassan Hasbani, Saudi Telecom’s chief executive of international operations, growth will continue to be steady until an acquisition comes.
Saudi Telecom, or STC, is increasingly looking beyond the kingdom for earnings growth. It has targeted regions such as Africa and Asia as competition in its domestic market from the likes of Etihad Etisalat, or Mobily, and Zain Saudi heats up.
According to STC’s website it now has a presence in Kuwait, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and South Africa.
Hasbani added that these markets grow no less than 10%. Some markets are doubling revenues year on year.
Firms Eye $2.5B Saudi Tower Business
Saudi Telecom Company and competitor Mobily may sell a majority stake in a combined $2.5 billion merged towers business, Reuters reported. Swedish company Ericsson is considering a bid alongside Saudi private equity firm Abraaj Capital and SREI Infrastructure, Reuters added. Other potential bidders include a partnership between Indian group GTL Infrastructure and Abu Dhabi investment fund Mubadala.
(Reuters) – Saudi Telecom Company (7010.SE) and competitor Mobily (7020.SE) could sell a large stake in a combined $2.5 billion merged towers business, three people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
Talks for the merger are on, but this is subject to negotiations and terms and conditions put forth by both companies,†one of the people said.
The person said the Saudi firms would look at offloading a 51 percent stake if a joint business with 15,000 towers was created.
Another person said the companies were undecided over whether to sell 49 percent or 51 percent.
We are not 100 percent sure that a majority stake sale is going to be on the table,†the second person said.
State-owned Saudi Telecom, the country’s largest telecom, has around 11,500 towers. Mobily, 26 percent owned by UAE group Etisalat (ETEL.AD), has about 3,500 towers.
Infrastructure sharing gives companies access to equipment without the heavy need for major capital investment.
Indian group GTL Infrastructure (GTLI.BO) could bid for the stake with Abu Dhabi investment fund Mubadala and would fund an acquisition through a mix of debt and equity, the sources said.
Swedish company Ericsson (ERICb.ST) would bid alongside Saudi private equity firm Abraaj Capital and SREI Infrastructure (SREI.BO), the parent of Indian group Quippo, could form a third bidding team with Zamil Group, the people said.
Mobily declined to comment. STC could not be reached for comment.
Mobily Q4 net profit up by 39% (Saudi Arabia)
Saudi Arabia’s second-largest telecoms operator, Mobily has posted 39% percent rise in fourth-quarter net profit on higher use of services and more broadband subscribers.
According to the company, net profit in the quarter reached US$389.1 million, up from 1.05 billion a year earlier.
Mobily in a separate statement stated that it plans to pay a dividend of US$0.53 for 2010. The firm made revenue of US$4.26 billion in the fourth quarter compared with US$3.47 billion in 2009, because of higher utilization rates. Broadband users exceeded 2.3 million, without providing a comparative figure. Net profit for the full-year surged 40% to US$1.12 billion.
Mobily benefits from its affiliation with Emirates Telecommunications, its biggest shareholder with a 27.4% stake, which grants it cost-competitive access to networks partially or wholly owned by the UAE-based firm.
