Tunis January 14, 2009 -

A first in Tunisia! Tunisia Telecom launches new offer called "SIGOUNDA" and intended to prepaid subscribers to offer pricing based on the billing from the 1st second.
Whatever the offer to which you subscribe, and until January 31, 2010, you can migrate freely to "SIGOUNDA" by dialing * 130 * 6 #.
Yes! The second is 5 millimes for all local destinations!
With the second billing from the 1st second of TT plus a second to lose!

TT just aligned with its main competitor Tunisiana who recently started charging its customers per second in stead of the old 15 seconds chunk system.

The monopolistic Vsat and Wimax provider Divona Telecom has officially changed its corporate name to orange Tunisia after winning a bid to provide exclusive 2G and 3G cell services becoming in the same time part of the French Telecom group with less than 50% shares as stipulated by the the Tunisian regulations.

The move was expected as part of the new marketing strategy of the company to introduce a well know brand rather than using an old Vsat and Wimax provider barely know or even creating a new brand from the mix.

Ornage France has many exclusive contracts allowing to distribute Black berry and Iphone a growing trends in the telecoms markets with the lack of support from Tunisia telecom and the inability of Tunisiana to market any phones locally other than the HTC.

Months ago, Divona did merge with its little sister compagny Planet a major Tunisian ISP with hundreds of sales shops and hundreds of technical support all over the country, Ornage Tunise will certainly benefit from this asset making it easier to distribute their goods in no time.

Divona telecom has also build a solid structure of Wimax with mostly 60% coverge in the tunisiana territory thus adding GSM repeaters on the Wimax tours already available would be an other benefit to spred its cellular coverge in a couple of months, already outsourced to Huwawei the Chinese telecommunication company doing business in Tunisia and other European partners as Satec.

Via [Tn Geeks]

Tunisie Telecom is expending its product line by assigning a unique service dedicated to the Europe and north America (15 countries) available in more than 8 languages where for a such monthly amount would be able to call a selected phone number from 9 pm through 8 am starting 14 Euros for both landlines and Elissa GSM services payable online which is the only and the first TT online business.

Benefit from the Elissa Mobile plan now. This service allows you to call your correspondent in Tunisia directly unlimited for cell phones between 9pm and 8am Central European Time. Get all these advantages for a month or for a year. The choice is yours.

Monthly subscription fees yearly Subscription fees
Landlines 14 Euros 139 Euros
Cellular 19 Euros 199 Euros
* Vat included doesn't local carrier fees.

TT did launch a new .fr (www.TunisieTelecom.fr) site as much of the Tunisian living in Europe are located in France, the site is by far well designed much better than the main company website illustrated by videos.

Frankly, this is the best service and most creative service TT ever did, I can see clearly that they are really keeping forward getting ready for the deadly Divona / France telecom coming in the beginning of 2010.

TUNISIA. Tunisia's telecom market will be one of the fastest-growing markets in the Middle East & Africa region with total telecom revenue estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% over the next five years, reaching US$2.2 billion in 2014, according to the latest report from Pyramid Research, the telecom research arm of the Light Reading Communications Network.

Communications markets in Tunisia offers a precise profile of the country's converged telecommunications, media, and technology sectors based on proprietary data from our research in the market. The 24-page report provides detailed competitive analysis of both the fixed and mobile sectors, tracks the market shares of technologies and services, and monitors technologies such as WiMax, IPTV, and VoIP. It provides a comprehensive view of the communications market by analysing key trends, evaluating near-term opportunities and assessing upcoming risks factors.

Even though Tunisia's mobile and fixed penetration were among the highest in the region in 2008 (82.1% and 11.5%, respectively), the low broadband penetration rate of 2.2% indicates there is still room for growth, observes Sylwia Boguszewska, analyst at Pyramid Research and author of the report.

"To stimulate competition, the government launched a tender for a fixed-line services license so as to promote broadband Internet access and prop up mobile telephony services," says Boguszewska. "The process of a tender for a technology-neutral license for a mobile and fixed operator was started in May 2009, and a new player is expected to enter the market in 2010," she adds.

This, plus the sale of another stake in Tunisie Telecom, will have a positive effect on market competiveness and liberalization."

"Although the market will contract in 2009, it will bounce back with broadband being the fastest growing among other significant market segments," explains Boguszewska. Broadband services will be a considerable source of growth over the next five years, with a CAGR of 15.1% between 2009 and 2014, producing estimated revenue of US$174 million in 2014, up from US$81 million in 2008.

"This growth will over compensate for the decline in narrowband Internet services, which will only generate revenue of US$4 million in 2014," concludes Boguszewska.

Communications Markets in Tunisia is part of Pyramid Research's Europe Country Intelligence Report Series.

Learn more about the findings in this report in Pyramid's Mobile Demand, Mobile Data and Mobile Operator KPI Forecasts. Published quarterly, provide the most comprehensive demand, growth and market share tracking available in the industry today, offering five years of historical data and five years of market projections for the principal drivers in 92 markets, including Tunisia.

Source [Business Intelligence Middle East]

Echoes on departure and arrival of some directors in Tunisia Telecom are becoming more insistent in recent days in Tunisia Telecom.
The movements in question relate only directors whose appointment is for EIT, the shareholder Emirates has 35% of the incumbent Tunisia.

Record and the start of the Jordanian Rola Amuri, consultant in charge of management information system. Besides Ms. Amuri (part a few days ago already), the most cited is Sami Ayoub, Deputy Director General. It seems it has failed its mission since his appointment in May 2008. A few weeks after his arrival, the former commercial director, Nizar Yaich, has slammed the door can not accept the strategy and how this Lebanese-Belgian who tried, unsuccessfully, to impose a Middle Eastern style not suited to culture and managerial Tunisia. Mr. Yaich had anticipated all this before his departure.
Party officially on leave for a fortnight, Mr. Ayoub would be replaced soon. The appointment of the successor could be confirmed shortly.
Who will be the successor? The candidates, many are not and only two names circulating for the post of DGA: Richard Pietro, an American who currently serves as program director for the transformation of Tunisie Telecom. The second name is that of Moss Jerbi, a Tunisian man of great talent and some in the future, current director of business market for the operator. Both were recruited by EIT.

Remains the position of commercial director and marketing position left vacant since the departure of Nizar Yaich ai and occupied by Sami Ayoub.
The designated person seems already found by EIT. It would Matthew Galvani, a former director of the operator and Djezzy ... Orange!
Former DGA for the commercial, Mr. Galvani made the beautiful days of Djezzy and enjoys an excellent reputation in Algeria. It could take his new post in the coming days.
For EIT, which has just been away, the pearl is truly rare and the person best suited for the position of high responsibility in Tunisia Telecom has just worked for the shareholders of the two competitors to the incumbent. Djezzy is a subsidiary of Orascom (the mother house of Tunisiana second GSM operator in Tunisia).
Orange is, in turn, create a new subsidiary with Tunisian Divona and should begin the marketing of its lines in early 2010.
We will come back when official confirmation (or the reverse) of this and other information as the starting list would include not only those we have just mentioned.

Via [Business News]

The Divona / Orange - France Telecom group is retained as a tenderer offering the best technology in the process of granting a license for a new telecommunications operator.
What will happen now? Who is France Telecom and its partner is Divona Tunisian who has 51% stake in the new entity they create together?

Groupement Divona / Orange - France Telecom is retained as a tenderer offering the best technology in the process of granting a license for a new telecommunications operator.
It is worth noting that the ministry of communication technologies has almost complied with the schedule, reflecting the superb professionalism of government in the management of major operations. It was the same in the award of the GSM license to Orascom and the opening of the capital of Tunisie Telecom.

Pursuant to the provisions of Decree No. 2009-283 of 2 February 2009 laying down the conditions and procedures for the granting of a license to install and operate a public telecommunications network for the provision of telecommunications services fixed and mobile telecommunications services from 2nd and 3rd generation, the Ministry of Communication Technologies announces the following:

-The commission established by the decree above mentioned report has concluded its evaluation of tenders received in the framework of the international tender for the granting of a license to a new operator of fixed and mobile telecommunications 2G/3G .
-This process has enabled the Group to retain DIVONA / ORANGE - France Telecom, as a bidder who submitted the best technical offer.

This assignment is tentative pending the completion of the conditions contained in the Rules of procedures of the international tender.
The entry into service of a new telecommunications operator aims to contribute to the revitalization of the landscape of the telecommunications sector (fixed, broadband internet and mobile), promotion of investment and employment as well as 'in support of the business climate in Tunisia.

France Telecom is the first telecommunications operator in France and a major player in the world. The France Telecom Group is the leading provider of broadband Internet access and the third mobile operator in Europe and among the world leaders in telecommunications services to multinational companies. It offers its customers, individuals, businesses and other telecommunications operators a full range of telecommunications services. Its main activities include the provision of fixed and mobile telecommunications (local, national and international), Internet services and multimedia communication services, sales and rentals of equipment, information services and other value-added services. Orange is the Group's single brand for Internet, television and mobile in most countries where it operates, and Orange Business Services brand of services to companies worldwide.
At 31 December 2008, France Telecom serves 182.3 million customers worldwide and 13 million ADSL subscribers.

As for Divona Telecom Tunisia is the first VSAT operator in Tunisia. It is also the only telecommunications operator in Tunisia, whose capital is owned 100% by Tunisians.
Present in the telecommunications sector in Tunisia for more than twelve years, through its parent Planet Divona managed to grow rapidly at the head of the sector.
Planet, for its part, have for a dozen years in the country, it is now a leader in the internet for businesses with more than 100,000 customers.
Both entities are run by Mohamed Garbouj and belong to Marouen of Investec Mabrouk (not Mabrouk Group).

Now that the group is chosen for its best technical offer, both parties will need to create and implement a Tunisian law firm of which 51% (at least) are held by Investec.
This should, in theory, marketing its new fixed and mobile services in six months. These services include:
Fixed:
• telephone service domestic and international, including IP telephony;
• access services to the Internet;
• data transmission services;
• transport services signals in accordance with the applicable legislation;
• Wholesale services (wholesale), including without limitation, leasing capacity and wholesale traffic.

Mobile:
• mobile telephone service, national and international levels;
• Messaging Services SMS and MMS;
• data services including video telephony, mobile Internet, multimedia messaging and multimedia content with mobile broadband;
• services wholesale traffic operators and providers of telecommunications services authorized in accordance with laws and regulations in force.

The License granted to Divona / France Telecom offers also several advantages, among which we include access to existing infrastructure to build its network, obtaining resources frequencies, numbering in codes and international interconnection, provision telephony services over IP, national and international roaming, the provision of number portability so.

The license granted to Divona / France Telecom is valid for a period of 15 years with possibility of extension, at the request of the holder, for additional periods not exceeding ten years each.
In addition, and to promote the dynamics of competition and support the introduction of the new entrant, the Tunisian State has committed to attributing any license additional fixed until at least 1st January 2013.
It will not, either, of 3G licenses to other operators about a year before in order to initiate the conditions of homelessness and use optimum and common infrastructure for fixed and mobile telecommunications.

Source [Business News]

It's now official. This is the group DIVONA / ORANGE France Telecom which is retained as a tenderer offering the best technology in the process of granting a license for a new telecommunications operator, said a communiqué of the Ministry of Technology Communication.

''In accordance with decree No. 2009-283 of 2 February 2009 laying down the conditions and procedures for the granting of a license to install and operate a public telecommunications network for the provision of services fixed telecommunications and mobile telecommunications services in 2nd and 3rd generation, the Ministry of Communication Technologies announces the following:

-The commission established by the decree above mentioned report has concluded its evaluation of tenders received in the framework of the international tender for the granting of a license to a new operator of fixed and mobile telecommunications 2G/3G .
-This process has enabled the Group to retain DIVONA / ORANGE - France Telecom, as a bidder who submitted the best technical offer. This assignment is tentative pending the completion of the conditions contained in the Rules of procedures of the international tender.

The entry into service of a new telecommunications operator aims to contribute to the revitalization of the landscape of the telecommunications sector (fixed, broadband internet and mobile), promotion of investment and employment as well as 'in support of the business climate in Tunisia.''

Source [WebManager center]

Elissa is the new service pack from TT for the people under 25, the service looks to have no relation with the main carrier, have it's own website, logos, ... (unless omitted) and looks quite brand nnew and fancy.

The suscription cots 4 TND (About 3 USD) embded with 160 free SMS.

Les fees are as below:

- 100 millimes/min when calling an other ELISSA susciber.
- 180 millimes/min when calling TUNISIE TELECOM susciber.
- 225 millimes/min when calling other carriers (Tunisiana).
- 25 millimes/SMS to ELISSA.
- 50 millimes/SMS to other networks (Tunisiana).

The new service is mean as counter strike to Tunisiana's Carta Fun offering the same features.

Many could not believe their eyes. here is Mr. Montasser Ouaili, CEO of Tunisie Télécom, as you've never seen!

Known to be singularly reserved, economical with words as if the fiber of the university dominated politics, Mr. Ouaili just to demonstrate that it can usefully play tribune-communicator.

The microphone in hand, without any memory aid, he improvises, aligns the data, provides programs, workshops, opportunities, responding on the fly to questions from reporters ...

New for the boss ... and the new for the company! Because the two products it has launched are nothing short of a response to two markets that are among the most promising. Elissa for young people under 25 years, with rates studied and exclusive techno, BLACKBERRY and for employers, managers, technophiles ... with a very high order, beyond the simple sense, beyond the vision of the market ... to seduction pure and simple.

Source [Web Manager Center]

It just looks like a pure and simple remake of the events held usually by Tunisiana.

The recent agreemnet between Tunisie telecom Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris:ALU)(NYSE:ALU), a network communications specialist, and Research In Motion Limited (RIM) (Nasdaq:RIMM) (TSX:RIM) have gained a lot of echoes all around the Media, as one of the most Business used devices the Black Berry is gaining a new markte without having to go through extra roaming fees. The BB berry was affordobale only for those who brought them overseas relying on Tunisiana for romaing but absolutely no technicla support.

At launch, TUNISIE TELECOM is to offer its customers the BlackBerry Pearl 8100, BlackBerry Pearl 8120, BlackBerry Curve 8320, BlackBerry 8800 and BlackBerry Bold 9000 smartphones, as well as service on BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service.

Source [Trading Markets]

To everyone in the region, a very happy and warm welcome to the BlackBerry world!

Source [Into Mobile]

please notice that This new service is till on test and having many issues and if you’re in Tunisia, your non Tunisie Telecom BB will certainly connect to TT a main romaing carrier, but won’t retrive any emails unless you switch it manuallay to Tunisiana.

A Tunisie Telecom insider reported that the compgany is working closely with Huawei in order to relase a new AI cards service. The new Air Cards are being tested TT laboratries after the EDGE services has been working since the release of the Black Berry a couple of months ago.

For the latest news, the process of opening a third telecom license in Tunisia, and continues serenely on time. This process is currently in the process of answering questions of candidates for the universal license. This process of technical issues where the answers were made by the Tunisian State, even allow candidates to propose amendments to legal documentation of the tender and especially to the same licensing agreement. This phase should be completed by 13 of the month of March 2009 and responses should occur no later than 7 April this year and the submission of bids on May 5, so we should know the name of the candidate contractor provisionally at the latest during the month of June 2009.

Meanwhile, 9 serious candidates are emerging. There are of course the Tunisian Divona, Vivendi and France Telecom in France, the STC of Saudi Arabia, the emirate Ittisalat BSNL and even the Indian and Chinese PCCW of Hong Kong. This means that the Tunisian offer is great international interest, despite the crisis. This also means, as the same ITU (International Telecommunication Union) in a recent report that the telecommunications sector is not in crisis as some would say.

Source [African Manager]

Many sign and rumors give Divona most of the chances to win the bid as a new growing company and the only Vsat and Wimax provider on the country knowing the local market and having almost a wide Wimax coverage that can be easily used for other telecommunication services.

An influx of services and products, Actel in the four corners of the country, a welcoming staff: Welcome, you are in Tunisia Telecom.

The incumbent has managed to defy the tough competition of the only private operator in Tunisia.

Anxious to be always ready to listen, and resolved to offer the best of its services to these customers, a TT team was mobilized to first job fair in call centers Phone Employment Expo 2009, which held from 5 to 7 March 2009 to Charguia.

Stand in a spacious and nicely furnished, TT has made available a team of qualified visitors to respond to any questions regarding products and services of the operator.

Proud of its customers with more than 6 million subscribers enjoy the benefits of fixed and mobile telephony as well as access to the Internet, Tunisie Telecom holds, through its website to better inform its clients on the range its products and services to better serve and meet their expectations.

Source [Audinet Tunisie]

Huawei Marine announced Friday, the conclusion of a turnkey contract signed with Tunisia Telecom to supply a system of submarine cable called HANNIBAL linking Tunisia and Italy.

The "HANNIBAL System " run for 170 km and connects Kelibia in the Italian town of Mazara, across the Mediterranean, with a maximum capacity of 3.2 Tbps. Once completed in late 2009, the "System Hannibal" develop a capacity of 80 wavelengths 10Gbit/sec per fiber pair, with the capability to be increased to 40Gbit/s to meet the demand for international communication.

The "System Hannibal" will play an important role in external communications of Tunisia. Marine Networks Huawei is a reliable partner that offers excellent solutions and a delivery capacity confirmed, two reasons which have dictated the choice of Huawei Marine. "Said Montassar Ouaili, CEO of Tunisie Telecom.

"We are honored to be the prime contractor for the" System Hannibal "and we are proud to be able to contribute to the development of telecommunications in Tunisia. Marine Huawei will provide a system of submarine cables with a huge capacity and high reliability as well as the most cost-effective solutions for customers. We will provide a better project and plan for greater cooperation in the future, "said its share Ian Douglas, CEO of Huawei Marine Networks.
Marine Networks Huawei Co., Ltd is a joint venture by Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. and Global Marine Systems Limited. It is the world leader in optical communications technology and is specialized in building communications networks submarine world.

Source [African Manger]

After 22, 21, 20, 23, 24 and 25, TUNISIANA launches the prefix "26". The new code reflects the growth experienced by the private telecom operator since its launch on 27/12/2002. Strengthening the infrastructure that supports the growth of subscriber base of TUNISIANA tends to meet the future customers of the operator in securing freedom in the choice of number and better quality services.

Source [Tustex]

The BlackBerry service is a solution launched by major operators in mobile networks. The success of this solution is mainly based on its relevance to the needs of users remain connected to their working environment outside his office (e-mail, calendar, contacts, databases, ...), with an exemplary customer experience and high quality service.

Two package are proposed:
a. Corporate BlackBerry is a solution for large enterprises equipped with internal mail server like Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise. Corporate Blackberry server serves as a link between the BlackBerry device, mobile networks and enterprise applications. By integrating the messaging and collaboration systems for the company, the server enables mobile users to access their e-mail, instant messaging and enterprise management tools to personal information. The application server will be installed in society.
Two packages are offered:
 Monthly fee of 20 MB (messaging and surfing the internet) to 45 DT TTC (4 millimes / Ko beyond);
 Monthly unlimited (email and web browsing) at 60 DT TTC;
The cost of installation and maintenance: Installation costs per user License
Activation of 5 to 15 lines DT 500 DT 300 TTC TTC
Activation of 20 lines and over 500 DT 250 DT TTC TTC

b. BlackBerry Pro allows access to email and type ISP to surf the web from the terminal. This service can receive messages automatically and includes accounts of various professional and personal messaging. It is fully hosted in the Network Operation Center "NOC" for RIM. The NOC allows the routing of e-mails, security management, and synchronization between the mail messaging terminal and the PC.
Two packages are offered:
 Monthly fee of 10 MB (email only) to 35 DT TTC (4 millimes / Ko beyond package);
 Monthly unlimited (email and web browsing) at 60 DT TTC;

Quote terminals
 BlackBerry 8100: 1000 DT TTC unity;
 BlackBerry 8800: 1300 DT TTC unity.

A discount of 20% is granted for a minimum order of 5 terminals.

The government of Tunisia plans to announce the winner of fixed line and mobile service licenses in June 2009 in a bid to end the monopoly of state-controlled Tunisie Telecom (TT) and to attract foreign investment into the fast-growing domestic telecoms market, The Associated Press reports. ‘The results of the international tenders concerning the installation and the use of a third-generation mobile and fixed telephone network (internet and other services) will be announced as of June 2009,’ it reported. It is understood no fewer than 13 groups – drawn from European and the Middle East – are keen on becoming the third telecoms operator in the North African country. The new licenses includes the rights to offer voice and data services, including enhanced broadband internet access and is designed to promote competitiveness and reduce end-user costs.

Source [Mobile News]

Tunis — A study carried out by the Arab Advisors Group, ranks Tunisia 3rd in the Arab world where investors have the highest share of revenues.

The report entitled "Privatization Levels in Arab Fixed and Cellular operators " , analyzed the ownership structure and revenues of all fixed PSTN lines and cellular operators in 16 Arab countries.

The analysis also aimed at examining the actual level of privatization and state ownership in each country measured by the proportionate share of each operator of total market revenues during the three first terms of 2008.

The study shows that Lebanon and Libya have the least privatized telecom markets with 100% government ownership of fixed and cellular telecom revenues. In terms of foreign ownership proportionate share of revenues, the study ranks Jordan first with 75% of fixed and cellular revenues, followed by Sudan and Tunisia.

The Arab Advisors Group is a group of advisors, analysts and consultants specialized in ICT, the media and technology in the Arab world.

Tunisia recently launched an international call for tender for third fixed and cellular telephone operator. Results of the bid will be announced in May 2009.

The country's two existing operators are "Tunisie Telecom" which in 2006 privatized 35% of its capital, and "Tunisiana" a private company, owned by Orascom.

Via [All Africa]

Tunisie Telecom has signed contracts with Interoute and Huawei Marine Networks for the deployment of a 3.2 Pbps cable between Italy and Tunisia, reports Tunis Afrique Presse. Described as the first 100 percent Tunisian undersea cable, it will start operating by the end of the year.

Via [Telecom Paper]

That's really exciting the first fully Tunisian owned undersea cable is a big investissement and we should be hoping for a better service and lower prices.

Tunis, February 14, 2009- In a communiqué released on Saturday, Tunisia’s state owned, largest internet and telephone provider, “Tunisie Telecom” has announced that it is boosting broadband connections, as well as improving the quality of its ADSL connections to enable its new customers to benefit from twice the internet speed they have chosen, at no additional cost.

The offer which is valid from February 15 to March 15, offers the possibility for new subscribers to get a 512k for the price of a 256K connection, or that of 1MB for the price of 2MB, that is respectively 20 and 30 dinars.

The move is in line with presidential instructions to lower ADSL internet connections, for increased competitiveness and performance.

Apart from “Tunisie Telecom” which sold 35% of its stakes to Dubai’s ”Tecom” in 2006, “Tunisiana” an “Orascom” company , is the second private telephone operator in the country.

Tunisian authorities have launched an international call for tenders for a third private mobile and fixed line, telephone operator. Results for the bid will be announced as of May 2009.

Via [Tunisia Online News]