Operators

Serbia’s government has announced that 6 companies have lodged binding bids for the available 58% stake in the state-owned operator Telekom Srbija.

Norwegian operator Telenor has suspended 4 top executives in relation to the continuing investigation into allegations regarding bribes paid by its affiliate VimpleCom in Uzbekistan.

Indian mobile operators have hit out against the government’s proposals to charge a penalty for dropped calls.

Orange has announced that Helios Investment Partners is acquiring its entire 70% stake in Telkom Kenya.

Vodafone and Globacom Limited have announced a new, non-equity partnership agreement that covers Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

India’s number four Reliance Communications (RCom) is reportedly discussing a merger with two of the smaller operators, Aircel and Sistema (SSTL).

Following regulatory approval, Millicom has completed the acquisition of an 85% stake in Zanzibar Telecom (Zantel).

MTS is now offering mobile services in Ukraine under the Vodafone brand.

American Tower Corporation is acquiring a 51% controlling interest in Viom Networks.

Russian operator MTS has partnered with Vodafone to deploy 3G and begin offering new services in Ukraine.

Grameenphone has been publicly slammed by Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam over its network quality.

A merger between Indian number four Reliance Communications (RCom) and fellow operator Sistema Shyam Teleservices (SSTL) could be completed within a month.

China Mobile’s Pakistani unit, which operates as Zong, has complained to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority that its quality of service is being severely affected by interference on its 1.8GHz spectrum.

Ooredoo Group and Nokia have signed a major framework agreement to support Ooredoo’s long-term development strategy across its footprint in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia.

Millicom is taking a 24% stake in Helios Towers Africa on a fully diluted basis following a shareholding reorganisation.

State-owned Thai operator TOT pulled out of negotiations with market leader AIS over the possibility of forming a joint venture for tower infrastructure.

The three major Chinese operators are allowing prepaid subscribers to carry their unused data allowances over into the next month.

Axiata’s tower subsidiary edotco is acquiring a 75% controlling stake in Digicel’s Myanmar Tower Company.

Indian operator Reliance Communications (RCom) is in the final stages of selling off its tower business, with the bidding down to 4 companies.

Chinese device manufacturer Xiaomi has launched an MVNO to compete with the country’s three major incumbents.

Helios Investment Partners and Orange are reportedly close to reaching a deal for the sale of the latter’s stake in Telkom Kenya.

Two major operators in Bangladesh are considering merging their units in the region to take on the market leader, Grameenphone.

American Tower Corp is acquiring a stake in Indian tower firm Viom Networks.

Thai operator CAT Telecom has dropped out of the country’s delayed 4G auctions.

Bharti Airtel can continued its ongoing process of divesting its tower infrastructure by selling 949 telecoms towers to IHS Holding, which it will now lease back.

Turkey’s three major operators have spent €3.36 billion securing spectrum in the country’s much-anticipated 4G auctions.

Israeli market leader Cellcom is mulling over an acquisition of the country’s smallest competitor, Golan Telecom.