France Telecom interested in Iraqi mobile operator

According to a report by Dow Jones Newswires, France Telecom has said it is considering buying an unnamed mobile operator in Iraq. Without providing further details, a spokesperson for the French telecoms group stated: ‘France Telecom is looking at the matter of a mobile operator in Iraq but there are no plans to take control in the short-term.’ France Telecom’s new CEO, Stephane Richard, has stressed that expansion in Africa and the Middle East is a priority for the group, which aims to double revenue from emerging markets over the next five years. According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, UAE-based telecoms operator Etisalat is also keen on expanding its international presence by entering the Iraqi wireless market, with the company stating it was ‘almost near to finalising a deal’ with Kurdish operator Korek Telecom in February 2010. However, last month Etisalat rejected claims it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Korek to buy a majority stake in the firm.