Jordanian Operator to Manage Iraqi Network

Jordan's Fastlink says that it has been awarded a contract to operate and manage the cellular phone network "Atheer for Communications", which already serves some 40,000 customers in Southern Iraq. MTC Vodaphone had won a license to operate the network last year.

"Fastlink was awarded the contract as a merit of the reputation it holds in the local and regional markets, and as an indication of the confidence that the mother operator MTC places in the Company's corporate and technical capability," said Fastlink CEO Mohammad Saqr during a press conference held at Amman Hyatt to announce the agreement.

According to Fastlink, some 20-25 staff members from Fastlink will soon leave for Iraq to take up their respective posts in the South of Iraq. Atheer, which will provide the Iraqi people with a variety of services that will facilitate their communication with the rest of the world and thus contribute to the country's economic recovery, extends its coverage from the Southern Iraqi borders with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the central area, covering the cities of Basra, Um Qasr, Safwan, Nasiriyya, Amarah, Qarnah, Majar Al-kabir and Samawah. A network of agents and distributors is also set to facilitate the service and provide customer's support.

Atheer's strategy includes the supply of an extensive and independent GSM network with a capacity estimated to reach 300,000 users by the year 2005. This accelerated expansion in the outreach of the service, using the latest technological solutions, will allow for high quality voice service and other added value services.

With a venture capital estimated at USD120 million, and throughout the 24 month validity of the license, Atheer will be able to support such Iraq's engineering, sales and trade sectors in cooperation with the Information Technology Planning Council, which will be providing local support in the delivery of needed works and services.

Atheer currently employs 55 technical Iraqi personnel, and developing its human resources and conducting customized training programs is high on the Company's work strategies.

Atheer for Communications was selected last year by the Coalition Provisional Authority to set up and operate a cellular phone network in Southern Iraq. A license to this effect was issued on December 2nd 2003. Fastlink takes over the management of Atheer from the MTC communications company, a leader in cellular phone services in Kuwait."

Posted to the site on 5th April 2004