All Middle East articles
-
Weekly Briefings
EMEA Infrawatch Briefing: TowerCos continue M&A pare-back; telcos plot data centre expansion
TowerCos across Africa and Europe still exercising restraint around M&A, with focus placed on increasing tenancies and driving organic-build out instead. Meanwhile, Orange and Vodafone Spain said to look at expanding data centre estate, while opening up IT capacity to third-parties…
-
Financial & Performance
Africa’s Helios Towers still prioritising tenancy over build; seeks to maintain FY24 ‘momentum’
One year into Africa-focused TowerCo’s ‘lease-up’ strategy pivot: CEO Tom Greenwood says group is confident in reaching colo and cash targets, with further tenancies on existing towers within grasp. M&A remains no-go…
-
Network & Infrastructure
Orange preps major data centre expansion project
Group looks to scale its existing asset base while opening up its infrastructure for third-party usage, with former TOTEM CEO Nicolas Roy becoming architect of new data centre strategy.
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Orange, Eutelsat widen satellite services partnership
European pair to combine for Middle East and African satellite services, filling rural gaps and bolstering terrestrial infra.
-
People
stc’s CEO joins Telefónica board as new shareholders reset pecking order
Long-anticipated boardroom rejig sees stc boss Olayan Alwetaid confirmed as telco’s representative in Spain, following recent stake increase — but Spanish government expand its influence over decision-making in parallel.
-
M&A
Saudi tower consolidation rolls on as state fund completes TAWAL buy
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF completes combination of existing tower assets with those of TAWAL, creating new player with 30,000-mast portfolio. Move marks another step towards achieving objectives of country’s Vision 2030 strategy…
-
Partnerships & Alliances
Vodafone scales IoT ambitions with Saudi Arabia’s Mobily
Vodafone Business IoT continues effort to drive international growth with Middle Eastern deal, tapping e& links. Move drives unit towards goal of reaching new markets with IoT as it closes in on 200 million devices connected…
-
Strategy & Change
stc secures stake (and strategic say) at Telefónica
Saudi operator increases its holding in Spanish operator to just below 10%, following government approval for controversial move in November. Share buy to be accompanied by a Board of Directors seat, confirming stc’s position of influence over Telefónica, alongside Spanish government, as Group changes complexion. Read more…
-
Weekly Briefings
EMEA Infrawatch Briefing: SatCos explore new options; subsea revamps
Spain’s Indra eyes bigger role in European satellite picture, while Eutelsat moves to bring space connectivity to Nigeria and (reportedly) Egypt. Meanwhile, fibre players have struck fresh deals in Ireland and Spain, while others consider if further buys are immediately necessary…
-
Financial & Performance
Vodafone exports Turkish innovations as OpCo flexes digital muscle
Q3 FY24–25: Group CEO Margherita Della Valle says Vodafone Turkey ‘outperforming’, setting a blueprint that can be applied elsewhere. CFO Luka Mucic namechecks Egypt as one market that might take lessons, but sees opportunity to pull market-specific levers, too…
-
Products & Services
Orange seeks home advantage with new value added services and store
Home services head Chem Assayag emphasises need to identify specific offerings that will have customer appeal.
-
Weekly Briefings
Orangewatch Weekly: Signs of MásOrange’s masterplan emerge
MásOrange is reportedly juggling a number of projects as it explores ways to drive growth and reduce debt, with the aim of turning itself into an investment-grade operation in the eyes of Standard & Poor’s.
-
Suppliers & SCM
Orange signs up cybersecurity specialist Cyan for three more years
Munich‑based supplier signed its first group deal with Orange in 2018.
-
Weekly Briefings
EMEA Infrawatch Briefing: Spain in spotlight; TowerCo team-ups; M&A next steps
Latest on EMEA Infra: Spain flagged as a frontrunner in legacy switch-off progress, thoguh concerns on fibre overbuild remain; Cellnex mulls path to home market consolidation; TowerCos in Europe and Africa seek to expand rural and transport connectivity; more…
-
Weekly Briefings
Orangewatch Weekly: New venture unfolds on Spanish fibre market
Latest from Orange, including: MásOrange and Vodafone Spain finally sign binding contract to create “Europe’s largest FibreCo”; Spanish price hikes; Slovakia nears 5G SA launch; copper in France…
-
M&A
IHS Towers exits Kuwait as part of $1bn asset sale plan
Deal sees cash-hungry tower group offload Kuwaiti asset it bought only four years ago, in mark of turnaround of sector fortunes and strategy.
-
Weekly Briefings
Orangewatch Weekly: Orange preps for open RAN
Inaugural Orangewatch Weekly Briefing, including: open RAN updates; new Open Gateway tie-up in Spain; Cellnex CEO Marco Patuano opening up on MásOrange talks; and much more…
-
Network & Infrastructure
Vodafone links 2Africa subsea cable to UK hub
Vodafone onshores another section of 2Africa submarine cable, this time in Cornwall.
-
Financial & Performance
IHS Towers targets $1bn from asset disposals
Tower group’s chief executive announces ten-digit goal for proceeds from business sales, amid ongoing strategic review.
-
Financial & Performance
Helios swaps land-grab for lease-grab in strategy refresh
Middle East and Africa tower group makes a change-up of headline KPIs after shifting away from M&A-based expansion of tower footprint.