The latest Iraq Telecommunications News – mobile phones, Iraqi Communications and more – brought to you by Iraq Business News
By John Lee. Despite the exceptional socio-economic circumstances coupled with the continuation of intense price competition, Zain Iraq achieved USD 811 million revenues due to the impressive growth in data usage and numerous customer acquisition initiatives in the northern regions of the country. The operation’s efficiency drive saw EBITDA reach USD 281 million, reflecting a […]
By John Lee. Ooredoo Group has reported that to reactivation of its sites in Mosul has contributed to an 11% increase in Asiacell's customer base (12.5 million customers) in the first nine months of 2017. Revenue increased 6% to QAR 3.3 billion, "demonstrating Asiacell's leadership in the market despite the difficult political and economic situation", […]
Finland's Nokia will modernize and expand Zain Iraq's radio networks with its most advanced technologies across Karbala, Najaf and Basra, with a special focus on the holy cities of Karbala and Najaf, to support the expected increase in data and voice traffic during Zeyara as millions of people converge on the region. Zeyara is an […]
By John Lee. Mobile phone operators based in Iraqi Kurdistan have reportedly been told by the Iraqi government to move their headquarters to Baghdad, following the region’s recent vote for independence. Asiacell is based in the Kurdish city of Sulaymaniyah, while Korek is based in Erbil; Zain, however, is based in Baghdad. According to a […]
UK-based Talia Limited has announced the acquisition of Northport, a licensed broadcast teleport operator in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The company said that, as it looks to continue expansion within the country and support of existing broadcast customers, the acquisition of Northport represents a commitment to its ongoing presence within the region. With Talia’s […]
Zain Iraq has selected Sweden's Ericsson to upgrade its existing network using Ericsson’s virtual Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) offering to meet the growing data demands of its customers in the region. Under this collaboration, Ericsson will modernize the current infrastructure of Zain Iraq’s network by implementing a solution that will enable the operator to quickly […]
Oman Telecommunications (Omantel) has announced that it will purchase 425.7 million of Zain's treasury shares in a cash transaction at an offer price of KWD 0.60 per share – subject to regulatory approval. Once complete, Omantel will own a minority stake in Zain Group of approximately 9.84% in outstanding common shares. The total consideration of […]
By John Lee. Asiacell Iraq has announced 4 percent growth in revenues from QAR 2.1 billion ($570 million) in H1 2016 to almost QAR 2.2 billion ($600 million) in H1 2017. The customer base increased 13 percent to reach more than 12 million customers in H1 2017. EBITDA decreased by 3 percent and stood at […]
By John Lee. At a time when the government is strapped for cash and looking to the private sector to create jobs, Iraq's young, tech-savvy entrepreneurs are finding business opportunities in mobile apps. So says a report from Associated Press, which list examples including: Wajbety ("My Meal"): a popular food ordering and delivery app based […]
By John Lee. Zain Group Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, Bader Al-Kharafi (pictured), has said that he anticipates improved performances in Iraq, "where several tax and litigation issues have been resolved and the new leadership there can now focus on driving the business." In its results announcement for Q1, the company added: "Despite the initiation of […]
By John Lee. At its annual Ordinary General Assembly in Kuwait on Monday, Zain Group appointed a new Board of Directors for the coming three years. Scott Gegenheimer, who has served as CEO for four-and-a-half years, has been moved to the new role of CEO of Operations, while Bader Al-Kharafi (pictured) becomes Vice-Chairman and CEO. […]
By John Lee. Qatar-based Ooredoo has announced that its Iraqi unit Asiacell has maintained its No.1 revenue market share position, but its revenues have fallen 14 percent: In its FY 2016 Earnings Statement the company said: "Despite economic and political challenges in Iraq, Asiacell maintained its revenue and data market leadership. Asiacell successfully reactivated service […]
