Iraqi Networks Rebranded - Expect to Join Borderless Roaming in 2008
The two Iraqi mobile networks - MTC Atheer and Iraqna - have changed their names to Zain as both operators adopt the new corporate master brand of the Zain Group - formerly MTC. This re-branding follows MTC Atheer's recent attainment of a 15 year nationwide license in August 2007, for US$1.25 billion and its parent company Zain acquiring Iraqna in December 2007, for an amount of US$1.2 billion.
Serving over seven million customers, Zain in Iraq becomes the fifth Group operation to be re-branded joining the Group's other operations in Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain and Sudan that were successfully renamed Zain on September 8, 2007.
Dr Saad Al Barrak, Zain Group Managing Director and Deputy Chairman commented: "In recent years through the provision of essential telecommunication services and extensive community support, both MTC Atheer and Iraqna have played critical roles in the reconstruction of Iraq. Together as Zain, and as one larger operation utilizing the Group's worldwide resources, we will be even better positioned to serve the people of Iraq. Zain's unrelenting commitment to the future prosperity of Iraq goes hand-in-hand with our aspirations of being a top-ten global operator."
The implementation of the new brand will have no impact on the functionality of MTC Atheer's or Iraqna's current pre and post-paid products and services, and customers are not required to re-set their mobile devices or change sim cards. The complete integration of MTC Atheer's and Iraqna's network to Zain in all branding, technical and logistic areas such as shops, distribution outlets, sim cards and recharge cards will be rolled out over the coming months.
The company also said that its Pan-African "One Network" which abolished roaming charges between 12 African countries will be expanded to Iraq and neighboring Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in the first half of 2008. This will give Zain customers contiguous local network coverage stretching from Iraq in the east to the Atlantic Ocean in the west, a distance of some 4,000 kilometres.
Posted to the site on 7th January 2008