• Firm’s chairman sent a letter to Algerian Prime Minister
• Orascom considers MTN offer basis for talks over Djezzy
• Pakistan flooding has not hurt operator’s network

By Alexander Dziadosz

CAIRO, Aug 16 (Reuters) – Egypt’s Orascom Telecom (ORTE.CA: Quote) may hear from Algeria’s government within a week or two about starting talks to buy the mobile firm’s lucrative Djezzy unit, but not before, an executive said in remarks published on Monday.

Algeria is the top revenue earner of Orascom’s far-flung units and selling it or solving its regulatory problems, which worsened after clashes between Egypt and Algeria soccer fans last year, is seen as vital to the firm’s future cash flows. (more…)

Djezzy · Orascom Telecom

The Egyptian Company for Mobile Services (Mobinil) has announced its acquisition of LINKdotNET, the leading private-sector Egyptian internet service provider, from InTouch Communications S.A.E., a subsidiary of Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH), in a landmark deal which will improve customers’ access to a wide array of integrated communications services, will create high value for shareholders, and will benefit Egypt’s telecom sector and the country’s overall economy. (more…)

LINKdotNET

Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH) has concluded the previously announced sale of its internet services arm LINKdotNET and Link Egypt (“LINK”) to the mobile network operator, Mobinil. The sale excludes the non-ISP part of Link Egypt’s business and affects LINKdotNET’s Egyptian operations only. The other non-connectivity business, LINK Development, LINKonLINE, Connect Ads, Arab Finance Brokerage Company and Arpu+ will remain owned by OTH.

The deal is a cash transaction based on an enterprise value of US$130 million. The business represents 56% and 90% of the revenue and EBITDA of OTH Internet Services respectively.

The sale is expected to allow Mobinil to extend broadband and corporate communications services to its more than 26 million customers.

Khaled Bichara, Group Chief Executive Officer of OTH, said: “We are delighted to have concluded this deal. As per the trend in the global telecom industry, the convergence between ISP’s and operators clearly enhances the value for both businesses and enriches the value offering to their consumers.”

Source: Cellular-news.com

LINKdotNET

BEIRUT: Group CEO of Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH) Khaled Bichara said Monday his firm is willing to play an important role in contributing to the economic growth in Lebanon.

“Orascom Telecom is continuously seeking new avenues for growth. In that perspective, Lebanon represents significant opportunities since it is at the stage of rapid development and has major growth potential,” he said. (more…)

Lebanon · Orascom Telecom

In line with Orascom Telecom continuous support for Alfa, the first mobile operator in Lebanon, Mr. Khaled Bichara, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Orascom Telecom Holding S.A.E. visited Beirut on Monday 31st of May along with senior Executives from OTH. The purpose of Mr. Bichara’s visit included keeping abreast with changes in the current Lebanese telco environment, exploring avenues for growth, and reviewing the progress of Alfa, managed by Orascom Telecom since February 2009, as well as the upcoming plans Orascom Telecom has for the Lebanese market. (more…)

Orascom Telecom

Demonstrating its leadership strategy and as a major player in the global telecommunications market, Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH), together with Alfa, the first Lebanese mobile operator managed by Orascom Telecom since February 2009, announced their strategic partnerships with Arabcom 2010 Summit. Under the patronage and in the presence of H.E. Minister of Telecom, Dr. Charbel Nahas, ARABCOM 2010 will be held this year under the title “Broadband Convergence for a Sustainable Future Vision 2020”, on the 13th &14th of May 2010 at the Habtoor Grand Hotel, Beirut. (more…)

Orascom Telecom

LAHORE: Mobilink, Pakistan’s market leader in cellular services and part of Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH), has posted strong revenues, higher EBITDA and increasing subscriber base in the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period last year.

According to the results published by OTH Mobilink subscriber base increased by 11.8%, closing at 31.6 million at the end of Q1 2010. (more…)

Mobilink · Pakistan

Orascom Telecom Holding’s group CEO Khaled Bichara says the firm is ready to make a merger play in Bangladesh, where it operates no. 2 cellco Banglalink.

“We’ll either buy someone or merge with someone by holding the majority stake, as we’re…a size that is big enough [to do that] for the Bangladesh market,” Bichara told the Daily Star. (more…)

Bangladesh · Banglalink

Orascom Telecom has had no official tax claim from Algeria
By Shereen El Gazzar, contributing to Dow Jones Newswires

Algerian press reported local telco could receive bill for over $250 million.
Orascom Telecom Holding said Tuesday it hasn’t received any official requests from the Algerian government to pay a $250 million tax claim for 2008 and 2009.

“Orascom Telecom Algeria didn’t receive any official demands from the Algerian authorities regarding this matter,” Orascom Telecom said in a statement on the stock market’s website. (more…)

Algeria · Orascom Telecom

France Telecom and Orascom Telcom Holdings have ended their legal dispute over Egyptian operator, Mobinil.
Both parties, who jointly share control of Mobinil, have agreed to pursue a new shareholder agreement that would end the two year long dispute, according to BusinessWeek.com.

France Telecom agreed to change its accounting methods to fully consolidate Mobinil under the agreement, while Orascom will consolidate its participation in Mobinil through “equity method.” (more…)

Orascom Telecom