E&

Cellular News reports that the UAE's two mobile networks, Du and Etisalat, are in talks that could lead to network infrastructure sharing in an effort to cut operating costs.

Chinese equipment vendor Huawei has struck a deal Etisalat to provide the Middle Eastern-based mobile group with vendor financing.

Mobile operator Etisalat Nigeria has announced that it has reached the 1 million subscriber milestone, notes Telecompaper.

Nigerian mobile operator Etisalat Nigeria will invest US$2 billion over the next three years in the deployment of network infrastructure, notes Telegeography.

The saga over the award of Iran's third mobile license appeared to take another twist this week with news that the government may begin a new tender process, reports Cellular News.

Telecompaper notes that UAE-based operator Etisalat reported a net profit of AED4.593 billion (US$1.25 billion) for the first half of this year compared with AED5.045 billion in the first half of 2008, which included profit on sale of shares in Mobily of AED892 million.

Telecompaper, citing a report in Lanka Business, notes that UAE-based operator Etisalat is considering an investment in Sri Lanka now that the military aspect of its long civil war has largely concluded.