NEW YORK: T-Mobile USA announced plans yesterday to merge with US-based carrier MetroPCS in a cash and stock deal that gives T-Mobile’s parent Deutsche Telekom firm a 74 percent stake in the new company.
The deal takes two carriers struggling to keep up with the big three and creates “the leading value carrier in the US wireless marketplace,” a statement from the two firms said.
“We are extremely pleased to announce this transaction with MetroPCS, which enhances Deutsche Telekom’s position in the expanding US wireless market,” said Rene Obermann, chief executive of Deutsche Telekom.
“The T-Mobile and MetroPCS brands are a great strategic fit both operationally and culturally. The new company will be the value leader in wireless with the scale, spectrum and financial and other resources.”
Obermann said the deal creates “a sustainable and financially viable national challenger in the US.”
The new company will retain the T-Mobile name, and “will have the expanded scale, spectrum and financial resources to aggressively compete with the other national US wireless carriers,” the joint statement said.
The deal brings together T-Mobile’s 33 million subscribers, and the 9.3 million with MetroPCS, but the new firm will remain well behind US market leaders AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel.
Significantly, it combines the spectrum holdings to give the new firm greater network coverage in deploying new high-speed networks for smartphones known as LTE.
The transaction is structured as a recapitalization, in which MetroPCS makes a cash payment of $ 1.5 billion to its shareholders and acquires all T-Mobile stock.
Deutsche Telekom will roll its inter-company loan into $ 15 billion in unsecured notes in the new company.
The German telecom giant will also provide a $ 500 million unsecured credit line and a $ 5.5 billion backstop commitment.
The combined company is expected to have some 42.5 million subscribers and $ 24.8 billion of revenue.
T-Mobile to merge with MetroPCS
T-Mobile to merge with MetroPCS
Riyadh hosts inaugural editions of hardware fair, sports show
Inaugural editions of the International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia and FSB Sports Show Riyadh were held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center from June 16-18, welcoming industry professionals from across the Kingdom. The events, jointly organized by dmg events and Koelnmesse, brought together international and regional manufacturers, suppliers and sector specialists under one roof. The openings were marked by the presence of Gerald Böse, president and CEO, Koelnmesse, and Matt Denton, president, dmg events.
Böse said: “Launching both FSB Sports Show Riyadh and International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia with dmg events marks a significant step in connecting global expertise with Saudi Arabia’s rapidly advancing sectors. From sports infrastructure to industrial tools, these events reflect the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions and the strong demand for specialized, future-ready solutions.”
Denton said: “The success of both launches demonstrates the market’s need for focused, high-impact trade events. Partnering with Koelnmesse has allowed us to create specialized, niche trade events that not only highlight industry progression but also enable real business exchange, directly supporting Saudi Arabia’s development goals under Vision 2030.”
Making its debut in the Kingdom, International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia brought together more than 200 exhibitors and brands across product sectors such as tools, fasteners, building materials, construction equipment and industrial supplies. Some of the exhibiting brands include Albawardi Tools and Hardware, Truper, Yato Tools, Genergy Power Products, Gong Fong Enterprise and Pecol. The event is designed to meet the procurement needs of professionals across the construction, manufacturing and infrastructure industries.
Modeled after the long-established EISENWARENMESSE — International Hardware Fair Cologne, the Riyadh edition provided direct access to sourcing opportunities for professionals in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing hardware and tools sectors. The event also included live product demonstrations at the Demo District; Guess the Gear, where participants identify tools by sound for a chance to win prizes; and the Hardware Hero Challenge, featuring one-handed hammering and speed drilling competitions.
Running alongside the International Hardware Fair Saudi Arabia and building on the legacy of the renowned FSB Cologne, FSB Sports Show Riyadh spotlighted sports infrastructure, fitness courts, leisure facilities and public spaces. With more than 200 exhibitors and brands including Greenfields, Kotobuki Seating Group, Soft Surfaces General Contracting, Syngenta Asia Pacific, Yardex and Cypex, the show supports the Kingdom’s plans to develop inclusive and modern environments for community wellness and active living.
Combining advanced engineering with luxury features, the event attracted visitors to TeleiosX, providing a hands-on opportunity to engage in competitive, full-motion racing directly on the show floor. Another standout feature drawing strong visitor interest was the Virtual Golf Simulator, presented by Marafei Almarefah, which blends sport and technology through an interactive experience using VR, AR and advanced projection systems.
A key feature of the event, the FSB Sports and Leisure Summit, concluded successfully on the opening day, bringing together high-profile speakers from across the sports, wellness and urban planning spectrum. One of the highlights was a panel discussion on designing facilities for sustainability and wellness, where the panelists collectively emphasized the need to integrate resource-efficient systems and wellness-driven design for future-ready sports infrastructure.
Bupa CareConnect serves guests of God in Mina
Bupa CareConnect, the healthcare arm of Bupa Arabia, launched its first-ever field-based clinics in Mina during this year’s Hajj. The “Bupa Clinics” initiative marked a landmark expansion of Bupa Arabia’s services beyond corporate campuses, bringing integrated, tech-enabled medical care directly to pilgrims during one of the most spiritually significant gatherings in the world.
As part of its social responsibility strategy, Bupa Clinics was launched in coordination with Urgent Care Centers under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. The clinics provided primary healthcare services to all pilgrims — both Bupa members and non-members. Strategically positioned near essential amenities such as Al-Dawaa Pharmacy, the clinics ensured accessible, responsive care to support the well-being of pilgrims within the sacred sites.
Operating 24/7 throughout the Hajj season, the clinics recorded a total of 1,368 medical interactions. Male pilgrims represented 75 percent of the cases, while female patients accounted for 25 percent. The facility was staffed by a dedicated medical team of six doctors and three nurses, working in rotational shifts.
Health services ranged from vital signs monitoring and management of heat exhaustion, to chronic illness care and emergency triage. Notably, 20 patients were transferred to the Armed Forces Hospital in Mina for advanced treatment, while one critical case required urgent lifesaving intervention, underscoring the preparedness and responsiveness of the team.
Pilgrims sought care for a wide spectrum of conditions, including headaches, fatigue, skin infections, joint pain, conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal discomfort, heatstroke, and minor injuries.
Bupa Arabia CEO Tal Nazer said: “We are honored to bring Bupa Clinics to Hajj for the first time, offering advanced, people-centric care to the guests of Allah, both members and non-members regardless of their insurance status. This reflects our mission to expand access to quality healthcare and deliver services where they’re most needed, through an integrated model driven by innovation and compassion.”
Dr. Abdullah Khafagy, executive medical director at Bupa CareConnect, added: “Hajj is a spiritual journey that presents unique medical challenges, and the Bupa Clinics allowed us to respond proactively, providing early screenings, preventive care, and timely interventions in the heart of Mina. This initiative is a testament to our healthcare philosophy, proactive, accessible, and centered on human dignity.”
The Bupa Clinics initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals to enhance the quality of life and boost the private sector’s role in public health.
Expo 2030 Riyadh registration dossier receives BIE final approval in Paris
Expo 2030 Riyadh’s registration dossier has received final approval during the Bureau International Des Expositions General Assembly in Paris, marking the final step in confirming the Kingdom as the official host country for the upcoming expo. As part of the proceedings, BIE handed over the World Expo flag to Saudi Arabia’s delegation.
Ibrahim Al-Sultan, minister of state, member of the Council of Ministers and acting CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, led the Saudi Arabian delegation at the BIE General Assembly, which included Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili, ambassador of Saudi Arabia in France, and other officials. The registration dossier serves as a comprehensive blueprint, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s vision of hosting an exceptional expo that reflects its ambitions toward innovation and global collaboration.
Al-Sultan said: “The approval of the registration dossier in record time highlights the Kingdom’s leadership on the global stage and underscores the world’s confidence in Saudi Arabia’s vision and capabilities. It also reflects the high level of professionalism demonstrated by the teams involved in preparing and reviewing the registration dossier. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the Kingdom’s journey to deliver an exceptional and unprecedented edition of the World Expo, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.”
Riyadh is the first expo host to complete and submit its registration dossier in such a short time frame — almost half the time usually required for this kind of dossier.
The approval of the registration dossier unlocks the next phase of formal preparations for Expo 2030 Riyadh, which includes extending official invitations to international participants through diplomatic channels.
Set to take place from Oct. 1, 2030 to March 31, 2031, Expo 2030 Riyadh will be one of the largest expos ever, held on a 6-million-square-meter site. The venue is designed to welcome more than 40 million visits, through world-class infrastructure, hospitality venues, and cutting-edge facilities. The site will ensure an unforgettable experience for all participants and visitors, with a target of more than 195 participating nations.
Unlocking Saudi hospitality: AVANA and Ezdaher pave new investment pathways to support Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 sets an ambitious target: welcoming 150 million visitors annually and positioning the Kingdom as a global hospitality hub. Delivering this vision demands more than hotel construction; it requires a complete ecosystem of entrepreneurs, capital providers, government programs, and efficient financial markets to mobilize and sustain investment at scale.
AVANA Companies, a US-based private credit and real estate investment firm with over two decades of experience financing hospitality projects globally, has developed a dual initiative to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s hospitality investment landscape. Through its affiliate, Ezdaher Financing Company, AVANA is introducing structured financing programs and pioneering crowdfunding solutions designed to unlock domestic capital and create sustainable, inclusive growth.
Leveraging partnerships with global leaders such as IHG Hotels and Resorts and Oaktree Capital Management, AVANA has developed an innovative co-funding program that pools institutional capital into a streamlined funding framework. This model overcomes traditional barriers such as lengthy approval processes and extensive guarantees by enabling faster capital flows for hotel construction projects. While initially focused on established US markets, the asset-backed structure is highly relevant for Middle Eastern investors seeking secure exposure to global hospitality sectors. With Ezdaher’s regional initiative, AVANA is well-positioned to align international investment practices with the strategic ambitions of Saudi investors.
“By combining our global hospitality financing expertise with local presence through Ezdaher, we are committed to creating pathways that empower investors and advance Vision 2030,” said Sundip Patel, CEO of AVANA Companies.
Alongside its global initiatives, AVANA is addressing the critical need to activate Saudi Arabia’s domestic capital base. Traditional loan capital often remains immobilized until maturity, slowing economic circulation. The EqualSeat platform, developed under the Ezdaher banner, introduces an innovative crowdfunding model that transforms passive savings into active investment. Through EqualSeat, Saudi investors can directly participate in private credit, SME Funding, and real estate opportunities. This approach increases liquidity for financial institutions, supports broader entrepreneurship, and stimulates economic expansion through the Keynesian multiplier effect.
Saudi Arabia’s financial modernization efforts have made significant strides, but a thriving crowdfunding sector requires ongoing regulatory development, standardized risk grading, and greater investment transparency. Building investor trust will be critical to unlocking the full potential of domestic capital markets and ensuring that private sector initiatives complement public-sector programs without overlap or conflict.
AVANA Companies and Ezdaher Financing Company are actively seeking partnerships with family offices and institutional investors to drive sustainable hospitality growth, create high-quality employment opportunities, and support Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification goals.
New report reveals trends shaping future of halal travel
As awareness of Muslim travelers’ needs grows, halal travel is increasingly shaping how destinations design and deliver experiences. According to the newly released 2025 Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index, international Muslim arrivals reached 176 million in 2024 — up 25 percent from 2023 — and are projected to grow to 245 million by 2030. By then, total travel spending is expected to reach $230 billion, highlighting the growing influence and economic potential of this vibrant market.
To stay competitive, travel and tourism stakeholders must adapt to the evolving needs of Muslim travelers, prioritizing purpose, inclusivity, and digital innovation.
Key consumer trends impacting halal travel
• Smart apps: Muslim travelers are embracing digital tools that offer seamless access to faith-aligned services and personalized experiences.
• The modern female Muslim traveler: Women are shaping the halal travel sector in powerful ways, driving demand for safer, inclusive, and thoughtfully designed spaces.
• Muslim-friendly facilities: Destinations that offer alcohol-free environments, halal-certified dining, prayer facilities, and gender-segregated pools and spas are becoming essential.
• Solo travel surge: Younger Muslim travelers are embracing solo adventures, favoring autonomy and personalized itineraries.
• Digital detox retreats: Inspired by Islamic values of mindfulness and balance, many travelers are seeking tech-free escapes rooted in nature and spirituality.
Among OIC destinations, Malaysia retains the top spot, recognized for its accessible halal-friendly services and infrastructure. Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE share the second spot, each offering a strong combination of cultural heritage, modern amenities, and dedicated efforts to enhance the Muslim travel experience. Indonesia also ranks highly, supported by its rich cultural appeal.
Other notable destinations in the Gulf region include Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait, all of which continue to strengthen their offerings for Muslim travelers.
Among non-OIC destinations, Singapore remains the leader — recognized for its emphasis on inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. Thailand and the Philippines are steadily emerging as rising Muslim-friendly destinations in Southeast Asia. Thailand offers warm hospitality and a growing range of halal-certified services, while the Philippines is enhancing its capacity to serve Muslim travelers through better halal food access and Muslim-friendly features at key tourist sites.
