Global Mobile African digest...

MTN unveils new Africa international call rates

MTN has introduced new African international call rates, allowing for subscribers to make calls to Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, Swaziland and Zimbabwe for ZAR0.75 (US$0.07) per minute. The new tariff is available to personal and business users following research that highlighted a growing need to make international calls to other African countries.

Lebanon's telecoms industry suffers from VoIP shift

The slowing economy and customers shifting away from text and calls to free messaging and VoIP applications, has resulted in financial transfers from the telecoms ministry to the Treasury to drop by 14.35% in the first five months of 2013. At end May, the Treasury received US$510 million, nearly US$85 million lower than what was reported in same period last year.

Increased tax has negative effect on Orange Jordan’s profits

Orange Jordan has reported revenue and profit drops of 7% to 8% following the Jordanian government’s decision to increase taxes on cell phones and subscriptions in early July 2013. According to Jean-Francois Thomas, the group's CEO, most mobile users are continuing to spend the same amount on telecoms services despite increased prices, resulting in declined profits and revenues for the operator. In July, the government increased the special tax on mobile phones from 8% to 16%, and the tax on mobile subscriptions from 12% to 24%.

Algeria to announce 3G license winners in October

Algeria's three telecom operators, Djezzy, Mobilis and Nedjma have submitted their technical and financial bids for 3G licenses. After being examined in public session by the regulator-designated committee, all three offers were accepted and the regulator now has a month to evaluate the bids before it publishes the outcome 15th October.

Tunisiana to receive US$133 mil. loan

The Arab Banking Corporation, through its subsidiary ABC Tunisie, has been selected as the lead arranger and facility agent for a US$133 million five-year term loan for Tunisiana. Four other banks have taken also part in the loan, which is to be used to finance the development of Tunisiana's 3G network and the launch of a landline business. 

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Taken from Global Mobile Daily:  

http://www.informatandm.com/newsletters/

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Global Mobile Daily
Global news from the mobile telecoms industry
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Headlines for September 17, 2013

Global Mobile Daily: ISSN 1099-730X
Copyright 2012 Informa UK Ltd.