Zain Launches Borderless Roaming for Data Services

Mobile operator Zain has launched cross-border data services across the Middle East and East Africa on its One Network platform. The GRX-based data access is provided to Zain customers roaming in other markets where the company is active and provides for data use at the local country rate. The One Network already offers local pricing for voice and SMS, with no charges for incoming calls while roaming on another Zain network.

Customers can also top-up using local country vouchers. The new data services include internet, e-mail, MMS, BlackBerry service and Zain portals, such as the recently launched Zain Create platform.

The Middle East countries that benefit from this data service are Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Sudan, while in East Africa the countries are Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

By the end of 2009 all other African One Network countries will join and benefit from this data service. Customers do not have to pre-register for the data access service, move to a special tariff, change their handset settings or pay any subscription fees for One Network. 

Bintel Awarded Gabon's Fourth Licence

Bahrain based mo­bile holding firm, Bintel has announced that it has been awarded a 15-year mobile operator license in Gabon - making it the fourth operator in the country. The company is expected to launch its network in the third quarter of 2009.

Bintel estimates its initial investment in 2009 in Gabon to be in excess of US$50 million. Bintel is targeting a 6 to 8% share of the Gabon market within its first 12 months and a 30% share within its first 10 years.

"Bintel is committed to redefining Gabon's telecommunications landscape by building a state-of-the-art mobile communications network and providing customers the most advanced mobile services," said Mr. Alawi Baroum, CEO of Bintel. "Bintel's entry into Gabon would further intensify competition in the highly liberalized domestic market, which would ultimately work to the advantage of end users who would have a wider portfolio of services to choose from and can also benefit from more competitive pricing."

According to figures from the Mobile World subscriber tracker, the country ended last September with an estimated 1.36 million mobile phone users - representing a population penetration level of 91%.

Gabon is more prosperous than most nearby countries, with a per capita income of four times the average for Sub-Saharan Africa. This is in large part due to offshore oil production.

Bintel Becomes Fourth Operator in Gabon

Bahrain-based Bintel has been awarded a 15-year mobile licence by Artel, the telecommunications regulatory authority of Gabon. The company, which becomes the fourth mobile operator in the country, is expected to roll out its services in the third quarter of 2009.

With this award, Bintel estimates its initial investment in 2009 in Gabon to be in excess of USD 50 million. Under the agreement, the company is licensed to provide the latest voice and data services to customers in Gabon, including high-speed data and video conferencing. Following the licence acquisition, Bintel has appointed Gilles Villenaut as general manager for its Gabon operations. 

Gabon has an estimated mobile penetration of about 90 percent, which is estimated to grow to 120 percent by 2011. According to Artel, Gabon currently has about 1.3 million mobile subscribers.

Zain's market share stands at about 58 percent, Gabon Telecom at 34 percent and Moov at 8 percent. Bintel is targeting a 6 to 8 percent share of the Gabon market within its first 12 months and a 30 percent share within its first 10 years. 

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).