Page 38 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

AT&T Contributes US$1 million to New Dallas Innovation Alliance Program

As part of AT&T’s US$2 billion nationwide commitment to help more than 10,000 members who are at risk of falling behind in an
bridge the digital divide, AT&T is supporting a digital equity initiative increasingly digital world.” “As we build for our future in Dallas, it
led by the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA). DIA is a coalition of is important for us to work together to bridge the digital divide in
stakeholders from the City of Dallas, corporations, civic and other our historically underserved and overlooked communities,” Mayor
organizations, academia and private individuals who are invested Eric Johnson said. “The Digital Ambassador program provides a
in Dallas’ continued evolution as a forward‐thinking, innovative, significant boost to our efforts. Through this program, we can help
‘smart’ global city. This contribution will enable DIA to target 10,000 support our city’s families by giving them access to the educational
community members with DIA’s new Digital Ambassador program, opportunities, training, and other support they need to succeed in
“Connected Dallas”, a 2-year campaign to promote digital inclusion the 21st century economy." AT&T is making a $2B commitment
and internet access in the Dallas community. “The pandemic from 2021-2023 to help bridge the digital divide through affordable
has heightened the challenges faced by students, workers and broadband offers for both consumers and education institutions,
families nationwide who currently lack the connectivity and digital as well as high-quality educational resources and community
education needed to harness the power of technology in their daily investment through AT&T Connected Learning, a program to
lives,” said Mylayna Albright, AVP, Corporate Social Responsibility at connect students to skills, resources, and opportunities for
AT&T. “Under-resourced neighborhoods have been hit particularly success in school and in life. AT&T is committed to connecting
hard. AT&T is proud to continue our collaboration with DIA and more Americans to reliable, high-speed broadband internet in
support their new Digital Ambassador program to support more several ways, including expanding and upgrading our network and
than 10,000 members of our community with digital inclusion participating in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
education, training and connectivity.” “Dallas cannot fulfill its The ACP provides eligible households with a benefit of up to $30 a
potential as a city of innovation if we have communities left out month (up to $75 on qualifying Tribal lands) to reduce the cost of
of the technology revolution,” said Jennifer Sanders, Co-Founder broadband service and can be applied to all our AT&T Fiber speed
and Executive Director, DIA. “Our Digital Ambassador program is tiers. After you confirm your ACP eligibility, call us at 866-986-0963
a direct response to the needs of our communities and will help to discuss your options and order service. Be sure to have your
us provide support on-the-ground and via phone, text and web, for National Verifier application ID handy when you call.

Batelco Net Profit Rises 12% in Q2

Bahraini telecoms group Batelco has announced its financial
results for the three months ended 30 June 2022, reporting 12%
growth in net profit to BHD20 million (USD54.6 million) from
BHD17.8 million a year earlier, mainly driven by revenues from
international operations. Revenues for the period under review
rose marginally to BHD99.2 million, compared with BHD98.4
million in 2Q21, while operating profit increased by 4% to BHD24.7
million and EBITDA was up 3% year-on-year at BHD42.9 million.
For the first six months of 2022, the group announced net profit
increased by 1% y-o-y to BHD37.9 million, while revenues were
largely unchanged at BHD197.7 million compared with BHD198.2
million twelve months earlier. Operating profit decreased by 5% to
BHD46.8 million in 1H22 and EBITDA was 2% lower at BHD83.5
million, with the group maintaining a ‘healthy’ EBITDA margin of
42%. The group’s international operations contributed 53% of
revenues (unchanged y-o-y) and 53% of EBITDA (1H21: 52%) in
1H22. At 30 June 2022 the group’s total subscription base stood at
around 4.0 million, compared with 3.8 million twelve months earlier.
This figure excludes Sabafon – Batelco’s associate company in
Yemen – and Saudi Arabia’s Etihad Atheeb Telecom.

38 JULY-AUGUST 2022