Telecommunications

Lists PGt Advertising as its trusted affiliate partner. "Brief Description: PGt is a multi-marketing solutions agency in Iran. We excel at Marketing in Iran which includes everything from Creative, Media Buying, Brand Management, PR & Event Management, and marketing strategy consultations. We offer global ideals and experience coupled with local knowledge and culture."

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"In an effort to expand into Iran, London-based Grayling has signed an affiliation agreement with Tehran-based advertising and marketing comms firm PGt Advertising...“The agreement will see both agencies working together to provide a full range of communications services to current mutual clients, while extending PGt Advertising’s global network and allowing Grayling to offer clients premium PR and communications services in Iran,” said PGt Advertising in a statement... "The signing of this affiliation agreement between PGt Advertising and Grayling is another step in the right direction for us and we are extraordinarily excited to be accepted into such a successful global communications network” said Sam Cordier, Managing Director of PGt Advertising.“As Iran opens up its arms to the world, we are proud to be able to offer our clients a truly integrated international communications reach and quality of service.” (Branding in Asia, "Grayling Opens Iran Office Through Partnership with PGt Advertising in Tehran," 8/8/2016).

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In August 2016, Grayling “signed an agreement with PGt Advertising [of Iran] to work together on integrated communications, public affairs, design, and market development services in Iran.” The arrangement “will see the extension of the Tehran-based agency’s global network while allowing Grayling access to PGt’s clients and capabilities in Iran.” (Gulf Business, “Grayling moves into Iran with PGt partnership,” 8/1/2016).

"Sofrecom, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Orange S.A. that is incorporated in France provides consulting services in the telecom field, including with respect to networks and marketing. In 2016, Sofrecom provided certain services to and/or engaged in transactions with ZAIEM, MCCI, TCI, NAK and MobinNet which fall or may fall within the definition of the government of Iran. Globecast, an indirectly, wholly-owned subsidiary of Orange SA that is incorporated in France, operates a global satellite and fiber network to manage and transport video and other media of its customers for delivery to direct-to-home satellite platforms:  cable, IPTV, mobile and broadband head-ends. Following the waiver of certain sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) in February 2014, and while IRIB remains a specially designated national (SDN), Globecast entered into two satellite broadcast agreements with the IRIB ending respectively on June 9, 2017 and July 31, 2018 (agreements subject to renewal).Telecommunication services are provided by the Enterprise operating segment (through indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Orange SA) to certain international public organizations and multinationals in Iran solely to carry out telecommunications services that are otherwise authorized." (2017) 

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Sofrecom, an Orange subsidiary, has developed over 50 years unique know-how about operators’ businesses, making it a world leading specialist in telecommunications consultancy and engineering. ("Company Website")

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"France’s Orange SA has entered preliminary talks to buy a piece of Iran’s largest cellular operator in what would mark the first acquisition of a stake in a major Iranian firm by a Western company since nuclear sanctions were lifted in January. Orange, France’s largest telecom company, is one of several European companies that have held discussions about taking a stake in Mobile Telecommunication Co. of Iran, according to people familiar with the matter. The names of the others couldn’t immediately be learned... The Paris-based company is discussing a commercial and technical agreement as well as a share purchase, the people said. Orange, which is 23%-owned by the French government, is navigating difficult straits as Iran strains to open its markets up to the West. It needs to squeeze financing for a potential deal out of Western banks that are fearful of being hit by remaining U.S. sanctions. In addition, MCI’s parent company, Telecommunication Co. of Iran, or TCI, is owned by a group of companies that in some cases lead back to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, a paramilitary force that runs large swaths of the Iranian economy and remains under U.S. sanctions for its alleged involvement in terrorism, an accusation it denies... Orange has been planning its move into Iran for years. Its consultancy unit, Sofrecom SA, has provided technical assistance to TCI and advised its management since at least 2014, according to invoices reviewed by The Wall Street Journal." (The Wall Street Journal, "French Carrier Pursues Stake in Iranian Wireless Firm," 08/31/2016).

"Anubhav Singh, the head of global sales and marketing at South African telecommunications-equipment maker Afripipes, said his company was halting its postdeal exploration of the Iranian market as a result of Mr. Trump’s election. “We’re waiting to see what Trump’s policies are with respect to Iran and then take it from there,” he said... Smaller companies, because of their size, can’t as easily absorb losses from ventures that have to be scrapped because of sanctions. In the past, U.S. sanctions have had a chilling effect on companies dealing with Iran because some of them apply on any company with American connections." (The Wall Street Journal, "Trump Victory Slows Business Investment in Iran," 1/18/2017).

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Afripipes has expressed interest in the Iranian market, noting that “Iran is a big market and there’s potential there….”  However, Afripipes’ head of global sales and marketing, Anubhav Singh, rightly sounded a cautious note in the wake of the election of President-elect Trump by adding, “we’re not sure how the sanctions are going to go….  We are being cautious and seeing how things pan out in the next five or six months.”  (Wall Street Journal, “Boeing Seals Nearly $17 Billion Iran Deal,” 12/11/2016). 

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Afripipes is listed as an exhibitor at the Iran Telecom Innovations Conference that took place from September 25-28, 2016, in Tehran, Iran. (Iran Telecom Innovations Exhibitor List, 2016).

Aksh OptiFibre is listed as an exhibitor at the Iran Telecom Innovations Conference that took place from September 25-28, 2016, in Tehran, Iran. (Iran Telecom Innovations Exhibitor List, 2016).

Dehn + Söhne is listed as an exhibitor at the Iran Telecom Innovations Conference that took place from September 25-28, 2016, in Tehran, Iran. (Iran Telecom Innovations Exhibitor List, 2016).

Eltexalatau is listed as an exhibitor at the Iran Telecom Innovations Conference that took place from September 25-28, 2016, in Tehran, Iran. (Iran Telecom Innovations Exhibitor List, 2016).

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"The Kazakh Eltex Alatau company - manufacturer of communications equipment – is planning opening of a joint venture in Iran." ("Iran opens market for Kazak companies," 2/8/2016).