The Tunisian government has sold a further 15 percent stake in Tunisiana, the country’s largest mobile operator, to Qatari Telecom (Qtel).
Qtel have paid US$360 million for the increased share in the operator, which has more than six million subscribers.
National Mobile Telecommunications Company KSC (Wataniya or NMTC), a subsidiary of Qtel, already has a 75 percent stake in Tunisiana, meaning the government retains just a 10 percent holding.
HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohamed bin Saud al-Thani, Chairman of Qtel Group, said: “We are pleased to have been offered the opportunity to further increase our shareholding in Tunisiana, an outstanding company which we believe will continue to deliver long term value for our shareholders.”
In May 2012 the company received licenses to begin 3G and fixed line services and Sheikh Abdullah said the company remains committed to extending those networks.
