Orascom's management contract of Alfa extended until July

Egypt’s Orascom Telecom has revealed that the Lebanese government has extended its management contract of Alfa by six months. Under the deal, valid now until 31 July 2010, Orascom will receive USD2.5 million per month and 8.5% of total revenues, but must cover all operational expenses. The government remains responsible for capital expenditure. According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Alfa is one of two state-owned mobile networks in the country, the other being MTC Touch which is managed by Kuwait’s Zain Group. However, as reported in CommsUpdate on Monday, the government says it will form a new plan by the end of the year for the much-delayed privatisation of the two companies.