TCL launches new Blackberry smartphone in Dubai

The Blackberry Motion will be available in the UAE and Saudi later this month

UAE’s Etisalat to invest $817m in infrastructure this year, completes 5G trial

The telco plans to modernise and expand its network this year

WhatsApp can officially hide online status, announces rollout of Communities

Saudi lifts Skype, WhatsApp ban, but will censor calls

Lifting the ban represents part of the Saudi government’s broad reforms to diversify the economy

WhatsApp down for users

Saudi to unblock voice, video calling apps

The regulator is working with telecoms providers to enable services from the middle of next week

Etisalat launches new mobile brand targetting youngsters in the UAE

The service is only available to those aged between 19 and 29

Virgin Mobile brand officially launches in the UAE

Virgin Mobile will offer all its services via an app

Etisalat announces free wifi in the UAE during Eid Al Adha

The free offer will be available from August 30 until September 9

Omantel to buy nearly 10% of Kuwait’s Zain Group for $846.1m

The investment is part of Omantel’s strategy to diversify its exposure

Kuwait’s Zain Group reports flat second quarter profit

Zain said that foreign currency conversions, mainly in Sudan, had cost the company $58m in H1 2017

Saudi to pay two state firms $1.14bn for broadband rollout

Fibre optic broadband will be rolled out to two million locations

Etisalat’s Q2 net profit falls 15%

The lower profit was due to higher impairments and a slump in revenues

UAE telco du posts flat second quarter profit

The firm reported declining year-on-year profits in the preceding 10 quarters

GCC drones market to reach $1.5bn by 2022 – report

The booming drones market offers lucrative business for the region’s telecoms operators

Alcatel targets younger generation with new LED smartphone as sales recover

The A5 LED is designed to capitalise on a recent upturn in sales in the regional smartphone market

UAE’s telecom providers offer discounts to senior citizens

Both Etisalat and du are offering a host of services to senior Emirati citizens

UAE blocks Skype amid internet calling uncertainty

Last week, the video and audio calling features of messaging app WhatsApp began working again in the country

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala has pulled out of Etisalat Nigeria

The telecoms firm failed to secure a deal with its lenders over a $1.2bn loan renegotiation

WhatsApp down for users

WhatsApp calls not blocked in the UAE, but VoIP remains illegal

UAE’s telecoms authority denies any change in VoIP policy

GCC mobile market shows signs of recovery in Q1 but still well below previous years

Factors including Saudi Arabia’s Saudisation of mobile shops are continuing to impact the market

Ericsson appoints new GCC head as part of restructuring

Wojciech Bajda will also head Ericsson’s Global Customer Unit (GCU) Zain

Batelco, Ericsson conduct first 5G trial in Bahrain

For consumers, the implementation of 5G will bring new applications like augmented reality and 4K video streaming

Saudi Telecom denies systems affected by WannaCry ransomware

Photos circulated on social media claimed to show infected STC computers

Saudi Telecom signs deal to offer high-speed fibre optic broadband services

The project is expected to cost around $1.95bn

UAE’s Etisalat submits bid for Omani telecoms licence

Regional telcos Zain and STC have also submitted bids

Kuwait’s Zain and Saudi Telecom vie for Oman licence

The shortlist of qualified applications will be announced on August 14

UAE telecom operator du posts 24% drop in Q1 net profit

Growth of the mobile market has been offset by a steady increase in royalties paid to the government

How can telecom operators build consumer trust?

Telecommunication companies can use design to build trust among consumers

Virgin Mobile MEA appoints new Dubai-based group CEO

Alan Gow’s appointment comes even as the brand prepares to launch operations in the UAE

UAE telecom operator Etisalat cuts GCC roaming tariffs

Data roaming charges have been reduced by close to 35 per cent from April 1

Saudi Arabia’s STC, Mobily seek adviser for tower merger plan

A request for proposal has been sent to investment banks