Israeli provider Bezeq International has deployed the country’s first 100G optical network using ECI’s Apollo packet-optical transport system.

Saudi Arabian operator Mobily, part of the Etihad Etisalat Company, is upgrading its network connectivity with Nokia Solutions and Networks.

Gilat Satcom and DiviNetworks have entered a partnership spanning Africa, Asia and the Middle East to boost satellite and fibre capacity and reduce costs for ISPs and network operators.

Libya’s Deputy Minister for Communications and Informatics Mr Mohamad Benrasali has asked the ITU for support in preparing a master plan to modernise ICT infrastructure in Libya.

The Egyptian regulator The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has confirmed that it will issue unified licences, allowing the country’s operators to provide fixed and mobile services.

Turkcell has accused South African operator MTN of costing it business in Iran via “corruption and bribery”.

Türk Telekom has selected HP to transform its service portfolio to include competitive cloud-based IT services for its public and private customers.

Following a following a competitive RFP, Zain Saudi Arabia (KSA) has deployed several solutions from optimisation software and solutions provider Aircom in order to improve its network planning.

MTN Group is extending the reach of its regional networks with Etisalat’s SmartHub, a global communications hub facilitating direct routing of traffic between the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Telecom Egypt could acquire a controlling stake in Vodafone’s Egyptian operation once the 4G licensing process is underway.

Moroccan telecoms firm inwi is deploying digital security specialist Gemalto’s LinqUs Facebook-for-SIM mobile application, which now includes the popular Facebook Messenger feature.

Ericsson and Zain in Bahrain have entered into a partnership to transform the operator's network.

Zain Group has signed an agreement with solutions provider SLA Mobile to provide customers with Direct Operator Billing capabilities.

Vodafone is reportedly looking to buy out Telecom Egypt’s 45% stake in Vodafone Egypt for as much as $2 billion.

French group Vivendi has extended its deadline for a binding offer on its 53% stake in Maroc Telecom, as talks with Etisalat progress.

Telecoms operator Batelco has selected Ericsson as the sole supplier for its LTE and WCDMA expansion plans in Bahrain.

The Bahraini Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) has provided LTE frequencies to the three incumbent mobile operators, Batelco, Viva and Zain.

The government of Oman is planning on selling a 19% stake in the market-leading operator Omantel.

Korean operator KT has stated that it is currently negotiating a potential acquisition of a 35% stake in Tunisian state operator Tunisie Telecom.

Vodafone Egypt is deploying Ericsson’s Mobile Broadband Charging (MBC) to provide up to 10 million users with a vast array of data options and more flexible on-demand subscriptions.

Lebanon’s largest private data carrier GlobalCom Data Services (GDS) is doubling the size of its VectaStar network to serve the growing demand for high speed corporate network services.

The telecom industry’s first commercial 400 Gigabit per second (Gb/s) IP core network has been activated in Saudi Arabia by Chinese vendor Huawei and Saudi operator Mobily.

Qatari group Ooredoo has stated its intent to participate in Algeria’s upcoming 3G licensing process, with chairman Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Thani commending the Algerian authorities for the speed with which they have initiated the process.

Kuwaiti operator Zain has blamed a fall in H1 profits on the devalued Sudanese currency. The falling value of the Sudanese pound was reportedly responsible for an $80 million drop in the operator’s net profit for the first half of 2013.

Etisalat is emerging as the forerunner in the race to acquire Vivendi’s stake in Maroc Telecom, with the French group confirming that the two parties have begun “exclusive negotiations”.

A leading operator in Iraq is preparing to launch high-speed mobile broadband via a network expansion which will also improve coverage and call quality...

Virgin Mobile has steadily been establishing its footprint in the Middle East, with its most recent success an acquisition – as part of a consortium – of an international voice telephony licence in Oman....

One of the leading operators in Saudi Arabia is modernising and expanding its 2G, 3G and 4G networks between 2013 and 2015 via a major new deal with Nokia Siemens Networks...

A new infrastructure venture formed by a new consortium will roll out fibre optic broadband and Internet services throughout Israel...

Zain Iraq has set its long-awaited initial public offering (IPO) into motion, creating a new company with which to register its Iraqi stock...