Page 68 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Helios Towers to Acquire 2,890 Cell Sites from Omantel for USD575m

Helios Towers has agreed to acquire with further growth anticipated through received irrevocable undertakings to vote in
Omantel’s passive tower infrastructure the rollout of 300 build-to-suit (BTS) favor of the acquisition from shareholders
portfolio of 2,890 sites, for a cash sites, which will be deployed over the next representing over 50% of its issued share
consideration of USD575 million. This seven years, with anticipated investment capital at the time of announcement. As
represents an enterprise value of USD615 of USD35 million. It is anticipated that the a result of the transaction, Helios Towers
million including the group’s estimate of transaction will close before the end of – which currently operates in a number
transaction costs and capitalized ground 2021, subject to approval by Helios Towers’ of African markets – will establish its
leases of USD40 million. The assets are shareholders and customary completion presence in the Middle East region for the
expected to deliver revenues of USD59 conditions, including approval from the first time.
million and Adjusted EBITDA of USD40 Telecoms Regulatory Authority of Oman.
million in the first full year of operations Helios Towers notes that it has already

TDRA Celebrates World Telecommunication & Information Society Day

The Telecommunications and Digital used to change many of the usual ways Al Futtaim Group and Careem touched
Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) of work, education and socializing without on the crucial role digital transformation
celebrated the World Telecommunication compromising basic human needs. We in plays in difficult times, such as those
and Information Society Day (WTISD), the UAE are proud of our experience in this witnessed and still witnessed by the world
this year under the theme "Accelerating context, thanks to the robust infrastructure to this day, where digital transformation
digital transformation in challenging of the telecommunications sector, the has contributed to maintaining the most
times", with a virtual conference featuring early attention of our wise leadership to vital processes while mitigating human,
a selection of leading entities and global digital transformation at all levels, and the financial and economic losses. Several
experts, who discussed the acceleration climate of cooperation and partnership leading ICT sector companies featured in
of digital transformation, the role of the between various sectors," he added. The the event i.e. Etisalat, Du, Huawei, Ericsson
ICT infrastructure and preparations to conference included a message by Houlin and Deloitte, also discussed the role of the
overcome the crisis. In a welcome speech, Zhao, Secretary-General of the ITU, in ICT infrastructure in overcoming crises
Saif Bin Ghalaita, Executive Director which he spoke about the importance and hitting different parts of the world, citing
of Technology Development Affairs symbolism of the WTISD, and touched upon what came to pass last year, as the evolved
Department at TDRA, said, "I am pleased to the major role of the telecommunications ICT infrastructure helped in finding quick
join you in celebrating WTISD, an event that sector in overcoming the global crisis and practical alternatives to maintain the
comes at a turning point in history. The that afflicted the world last year. During normalcy of life, with this infrastructure
pandemic has come while the world moves the conference, the Ministry of Finance, also playing a significant role in the
actively towards implementing the United Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Majid recovery process.
Nations Development Goals, confirming to
us the urgent need to promote the principles
of sustainability and address the digital
divide, as it has a role to play in saving the
lives of millions of people and ensuring the
continuity of life under all circumstances
and during emergencies." Bin Ghalaita
emphasized that the ITU has been, to
this day, at the forefront of humanity's
achievement of these noble goals. "Today,
despite the difficult times the world has
been going through recently, we are closer
to achieving the goals we seek. The role of
artificial intelligence-assisted Information
and Communications Technology (ICT)
has been established through real-life
experiences, and it has been proven to
the world that such technologies can be

68 APRIL-MAY 2021