Wataniya Palestine Granted Operating Radio Spectrum

Following a series of delays, it has been reported that Wataniya Palestine has been granted its operational radio spectrum so that it can launch its GSM network in the Palestinian Territories. Qatar based newspaper, The Peninsula reported that spectrum agreement reached with the Palestinian Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MTIT) will be for a staged release of radio frequencies over the next several months.

In May though, Mohammad Mustafa, head of the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) which is a shareholder in the company said that the firm had already been granted some radio spectrum - although this may have been just for network testing.

"WPT represents one of the most significant foreign investments in the history of Palestine. Despite delays in securing the required frequencies, Wataniya Telecom and Qtel have always been fully committed to this venture. We look forward to launching commercial operations in Palestine and we are very confident that WPT will be a success story that will attract other foreign investors to the Palestinian market," said H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman of Qtel and Wataniya Telecom.

The Palestinian Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MTIT) awarded a GSM/3G license to Wataniya in 2006, after it agreed to pay JD251 million (US$354 million). Wataniya Mobile officials estimate the phone network would draw about US$650 million in foreign investment to the West Bank and create as many as 2,500 jobs in the first two years.

The incumbent operator is Jawwal. The Mobile World subscriber database notes that Jawwal is estimated to have just over 1 million subscribers. Within the Palestinian Territories though, some 1.7 million mobile phones are in use. This is due to the Israeli networks "leaking" over the borders and providing service to Palestinians.

Wataniya International has established a new company in Palestine which is 40% owned by Wataniya International, 30% will be offered to the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) and 30% owned by the general population through an IPO.

On the web: The Peninsula - Mobile World - Wataniya Palestine

Posted to the site on 29th July 2008