One of Iraq’s major mobile operators, Zain Iraq, is unifying its subscriber data - currently distributed across the network - into a single database...

The telecoms regulator of the UAE has gone ahead with the decision to prohibit certain corporate email services offered by Research In Motion, creator of the BlackBerry...

Despite the fact that no licences have been issued, two Lebanese operators – MTC and Alfa – have taken steps towards launching 3G services, in a move which has prompted several operators to pursue legal action against them...

Qatar has played host to the second of two cable landings by the Middle Eastern submarine cable operator Gulf Bridge International...

With three potential candidates dropping out of the running in the last few days, the bidding race for Syria’s third mobile licence has come down to two competitors – Saudi Arabian STC and Qatar’s Qtel...

One of Qatar’s leading operators, Vodafone Qatar, has interconnected to the iBasis global network for the exchange of international mobile phone calls...

The first Israeli mobile operator to partner with MVNO carriers has selected a new integrated end-to-end billing solution for MVNOs...

Iraq’s largest mobile operator, Zain Iraq, is expanding its voice and data services to the governorates of the Kurdistan region. This expansion is the first phase of the company’s plan to cover all areas in the Northern provinces...

One of the six GCC countries, Oman has a GDP per capita at a similar level to that of Saudi Arabia but with a much smaller population...

A lengthy saga has finally come to a close, with Etisalat announcing that it is no longer aiming to purchase a controlling stake in the Kuwaiti firm Zain...

A new joint venture between France Telecom and Kuwaiti logistics firm Agility has been formed in order to purchase a 44% stake in the Iraqi operator Korek Telecom...

Yemen is much the poorest country in the Middle East and economic difficulties are numerous. Around 35% of the population is below the poverty line...

The beleaguered merger proposal between Zain and Etisalat could be back on track, with Zain reportedly agreeing to sell its Saudi Arabian operations...

Iraq’s government is aiming to raise around US$2 billion by auctioning off the country’s fourth national mobile licence by the end of 2011...

New international IP and content distribution services will be enabled in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East following the announcement of a strategic long-term agreement between Middle East operator Saudi Telecom and Level 3 Communications...

Kuwait’s largest mobile operator, Zain, will soon be able to offer its customers new and personalised services more rapidly. The operator has unified its customer data that was previously distributed across the network into a single database based on Nokia Siemens Networks’ One-NDS platform...

Mobile commerce and financial services are currently being trialled in Libya as part of a new global partnership between Nokia Siemens Networks and MoreMagic Solutions...

A new cable system that stretches between Europe and India is set to enhance diversity between the two territories. Launched by Bharti airtel, the Europe India Gateway (EIG) system has received investment of around $700 million and has a capacity of 3.84 terabits per second...

The Bahraini operator Batelco has had its offer to buy a 25% in Zain’s Saudi operations rejected by the Kuwaiti firm. This development is yet another setback for Etisalat’s bid to purchase a controlling stake in Zain...

An upcoming Moroccan operator is rolling out a new platform with the aim of rewarding customer loyalty. Inwi has commissioned sicap to provide its Customer Retention Platform, a flexible, plug and play solution which rewards inwi subscribers for their mobile, fixed or Internet service loyalty...

The handset manufacturer Mi-Fone  has launched the Mi-Q200 family of devices, which are bundled with Synchronica's Mobile Gateway next-generation mobile messaging technology...

Two of the largest mobile operators in the Egypt have criticised the drastic security measures enforced by the country’s ailing government in the face of ongoing unrest...

Kuwait is one of the wealthier members of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), ranking third in GDP per capita behind Qatar and the UAE, but a closer look at its telecoms sector reveals a major lack of competition in its fixed-line market...

The UAE’s leading national university, the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), is deploying a new state-of-the-art campus network...

The Middle East’s first Cloud telecom operator, GO Telecom, has announced a partnership with CommuniGate Systems to offer a new telecommunications service, Go Terhal, in Saudi Arabia...

One of Saudi Arabia’s leading operators is addressing dramatic traffic growth through the construction of a resilient, adaptable and scalable nationwide network...

The managed network services provider Reliance Globalcom is set to upgrade a key cable route connecting Western Europe with the Middle East...

Although the original deadline for a final deal was 15^th January, Etisalat has stated that it will persist in its attempt to purchase a 46% stake in Zain although its initial offer has now expired...

Compared to many other Middle Eastern countries, Jordan’s telecommunications sector is flourishing, with a liberalised market and healthy competition...

Etisalat’s attempted acquisition of a 46% stake in Zain is facing more trouble in the form of competition from the Turkish conglomerate Cukurova, which is currently in talks with Zain shareholder Al-Fawares Holding...

Going into 2011, new reports on the telecommunications sectors of two Middle Eastern countries detail the past year’s progress and potential future developments...

Nokia Siemens Networks has announced that it has completed the closing of the agreement to acquire all shares of IRIS Telecom. IRIS is a telecom and engineering services firm headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey...

One of Zain’s shareholders has initiated legal proceedings in an attempt to prevent the sale of a 46% stake in the company to rival operator Etisalat, in a move that threatens the proposed US$12 billion deal between the two Middle Eastern firms...