MTN

TeleGeography reports that MTN South Africa has announced plans to spend ZAR4.6 billion (US$487 million) upgrading its network in 2009.

MTN Group may buy ZTE's 51 percent stake in Democratic Republic of Congo operator,
Congo-Chine Telecom SARL, in an effort to widen its lead as the biggest mobile operator in Africa, reports Bloomberg.

China Mobile has moved to quash rumours that it is looking to acquire stakes in MTN's mobile businesses in Iran, Syria and Sudan via a joint venture with a regional company.

Pan-Middle East and African mobile giant MTN is looking to buy a majority stake in Kenya's fourth-placed mobile operator, Econet Wireless Kenya, for US$450 million, notes Reuters, citing a report in Kenya's The Standard newspaper.

Essar Communications, a major shareholder in Econet Wireless International, has dismissed reports that South African group MTN is considering a takeover of its subsidiary, Econet Wireless Kenya (EWK), reports TeleGeography.

Twenty-five bosses of the world's top mobile companies have signed a letter delivered to leaders of the G20 nations yesterday, pledging to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in mobile broadband development globally - a move they claim could create 25 million jobs and help lift the world out of recession - in return for a more stable regulatory environment and allocation of new spectrum.

Mobile operator MTN has made several appointments affecting its operations in East, West and Central Africa, notes Telecompaper.