Azur Gabon Extends Billing Contract With Redknee

Redknee, a provider of billing and charging software and solutions, has received a new contract for an extended implementation of its converged billing and airtime-selling solutions by Gabon’s newest mobile operator, USAN Gabon (Azur).

Redknee says its turnkey solutions deliver a functionally rich platform that extends beyond basic rating, charging and billing models, enabling operators to differentiate their service offerings and launch creative promotions and incentives to their customers. A key feature is Redknee's Airtime Reseller, which enables voucherless, pre-paid wireless airtime top-up.

Azur is a subsidiary of Bintel, which is registered in Dubai but headquartered in Bahrain, and has a focus on emerging markets, with subsidiaries in the Central African Republic, Somaliland, Gabon and The Republic of the Congo, and it also holds a majority stake in Swiss-based firm Telesonique.

Bintel to Expand Africa Operations

Middle East and Africa telecom service provider Bintel has announced major investment plans as part of its strategic expansion programme. The Bahrain-based company plans to enter at least three new markets in Africa in the next two years and has allocated USD 250 million for investment in the region.

In early 2008, Bintel acquired a majority stake in Telesonique, a Swiss-based wholesale traffic company, as part of its strategy to build a reliable network of telecommunications services strategic partners. Established in 2007, Bintel has Middle East offices in Bahrain, Dubai and Lebanon and operates GSM networks in Central African Republic (since mid-2007) and Somaliland (since mid-2008).