Operators

Leading Libyan telecoms and IT firm LPTIC has announced the "strategic consolidation" of several Libyan-owned shareholdings in mobile and fixed-line network operating companies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The GSMA has announced the appointment of Mats Granryd as new director general and member of the GSMA board, to lead the organisation in its efforts towards "connecting the world".

Israeli operator Partner Communications has received €15 million from Orange under the terms of a new framework agreement regarding use of the Orange brand in the country.

Emerging markets-focused ISP New Call Telecom is attempting to bolster its presence in the Indian OTT/app space by acquiring as many as 4 new companies.

Turkish market leader Turkcell has begun a preliminary review to establish whether it will bid in the upcoming tender for managing Lebanon’s state-owned mobile networks.

Orange has confirmed that it will sell its 100% stake in Orange Armenia to local ISP Ucom.

Indian operator Reliance Communications (RCom) has had a number of firms express interest in acquiring the tower unit that it is attempting to divest.

Telekom Austria has reportedly expressed an interest in buying the 58% stake in Telekom Srbija that the government of Serbia has made available for purchase.

Bharti Airtel is cutting a significant percentage of its staff in Africa this year, with the figure likely to be around 15-20%.

Orange is holding discussions with Armenian internet service provider Ucom regarding the sale of its mobile unit, Orange Armenia.

Russian operator MTS is acquiring IT firm NVision for RUB15 billion ($263.4 million).

The government of Zimbabwe may be on course to purchase Vimpelcom’s stake in Zimbabwean operator Telecel.

Orange has set up a separate holding company for its operations in Africa and the Middle East, underlining its commitment to the region.

A controlling stake in Telekom Srbija has been made publicly available by the country’s privatisation agency.

Telecom Egypt will be awarded a 4G mobile licence next year, according to the country’s telecoms minister.

Bharti Airtel has raised $1.3 billion through the sale of tower assets across five of its African markets.

Orange has reportedly agreed to terms with Israeli operator Partner Communications that could see the companies terminate their licensing agreement.

Bharti Airtel has scrapped its proposed deal to sell telecom towers in Tanzania and Chad to Helios Towers Africa.

Cinven’s bid for Telekom Slovenije has been rejected due to a proposed amendment, but the investor group is reportedly still interested in an acquisition.

Indian operator Reliance Communications and Russian investment group Sistema are holding “exclusive discussions” over a possible merger of their Indian operations.

North Korea’s only mobile provider, Koryolink, has blocked foreigners from accessing the internet via 3G-enabled devices.

Orange has stated that its Egyptian unit Mobinil will either sell a holding to a local partner or list up to 15% of its stock on the Cairo bourse.

The investment group Cinven has specified to Telekom Slovenije that its takeover bid for the state-owned operator is only valid until June 10^th.