Saudi telco Mobily says suspension on mobile services has been revoked

The company was suspended from offering mobile services to new customers for failing to hire the required number of Saudis in senior executive roles

Saudi telecoms firm Mobily suspended from offering some mobile services

The company has been penalised for failing to achieve the required Saudisation rate in executive roles

First smartphone-based MBA launched for students in Dubai

GCC mobile shipments decline in Q2 amid Dubai slump – IDC

Saudi was the only regional market to see shipments increase, with the UAE hit particularly hard

Kuwait’s Zain completes $700m loan refinancing

The funding will be used for general corporate purposes

Mobily, Ericsson conduct 5G demo in Jeddah mall

The first commercial 5G networks and devices based on the 3GPP standards are expected in 2018

UAE’s Du unblocks voice chat feature for some games

The UAE’s telecoms regulator is reportedly in talks to also lift bans on Skype and FaceTime

UAE’s Etisalat posts 12.3% rise in Q2 profit

The operator cut capital expenditure and added more subscribers

UAE telco du posts 1.3% rise in Q2 net profit

Net profit after royalties for the three months to June 30 rose to Dhs453m

Du to offer free wifi across the UAE for Eid

Higher speed free wifi will be available from June 12-18

UAE fixed telecoms subscribers down 30,000 to April

The reduction shows fewer families and businesses are paying for landline phone and broadband services

VAT, poor job security hit Gulf mobile phone market in Q1

IDC said the UAE and Saudi were hit particularly hard, with many traditional retailers struggling

UAE’s Etisalat claims first commercial 5G launch in MENA

The initial launch will focus on customer premises equipment devices rather than smartphones

Virgin Mobile Middle East raises $30m in pre-IPO financing

The deal is a rare addition to a market that is comprised mostly of sukuk originated by sovereigns and financial firms

UAE’s telecoms regulator in talks to lift Skype, FaceTime ban

Discussions are said to be underway following big investments by Apple and Microsoft in the UAE

Kuwait’s Agility, France’s Orange file another claim against Korek director

Agility and Orange acquired a 44 per cent stake in Korek Telecom Company in 2011

UAE telco Etisalat cuts GCC roaming rates

Etisalat previously lowered roaming rates on April 1 last year

Zain Group in Sudanese currency swap talks with Kuwait government

Zain’s CEO said the Kuwaiti government would keep those pounds in Sudan, using them for future projects or aid

GCC mobile phone market decline to continue in 2018

Factors including the introduction of VAT are expected to impact sales this year

UAE telecom operator du chairman resigns

Abdulla Juma Bin Byat served as the company’s chairman for 12 years

UAE Skype users complain of service disruption

Some users have alleged that the crackdown coincides with a campaign to encourage adoption of paid VoIP apps

UAE to roll out 5G in early 2018

The new technology will help boost Artificial Intelligence, smart city and the Internet of Things, among other benefits

UAE’s Etisalat says postpaid bills will increase by 5%

Prepaid customers will “continue to recharge as usual”

Etisalat slammed by telecoms regulator

TRA warns operator to stop sending messages over Dhs25 late payment fees

Abraaj buys Tunisie Telecom from Dubai Holding

The private equity firm bought a 35 per cent stake in Tunisia’s state-controlled telco

Etisalat to offer Apple’s iPhone X from Friday

Apple’s iPhone X features an all glass and stainless steel design

Saudi phone, utility bills to increase 5%

Value added tax will be applied to phone bills in the country

UAE telecom operator du posts 4% rise in Q3 profit

The company’s profit was helped by a decline in the royalties it paid to the government

Etisalat posts $653m third-quarter profit as costs decline

The telecom operator also attributed the profit rise to lower depreciation and amortisation charges

Oman to award third mobile licence to local consortium, cancels tenders

The new operator will compete with Omantel and Ooredoo Oman

Omantel to buy 12% of Kuwait’s Zain

Omantel purchased a 9.8 per cent stake in the company earlier this year