to Build the Second GSM Network in Palestine,Wataniya Palestine Begins Signing Network Infrastructure Agreements

Wataniya Palestine Telecom (WPT) and its shareholders Wataniya Telecom (51% owned by Qatar Telecom -Qtel) and the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF), are pleased to announce that the company has begun to sign agreements with a number of telecommunications and information technologies providers to begin the construction of WPT GSM network in Palestine.

The signing of the agreements comes a few weeks after WPT received the Frequency License from the Palestinian Ministry of Telecommunications and Information technology (MTIT). The allocation of the radio frequencies allows WPT to begin construction of its network, the second GSM network in Palestine, in preparation for its commercial launch in 2009.

The first agreement was signed between WPT and Ericsson, a leading telecommunications technologies provider, which covers the purchase of network turnkey equipment, including network towers and base stations, network construction and testing in addition to network management services.  The agreement also includes the provision of hardware and software documentation, system warrantees and training for WPT’s staff.

Additional agreements with Palestinian and International companies will also be signed in the coming weeks to cover the construction of WPT contact center infrastructure, WAN/LAN networks and electrical and mechanical projects.

Commenting on this development, the CEO of WPT, Mr. Allan Richardson, said “as we begin to sign agreements with telecommunications technology providers, WPT is moving into a new phase in which we begin to build our world-class telecommunications company on the ground. As we progress with preparations for our upcoming commercial launch in Palestine we will continue to leverage the international experience that our shareholding company, Qtel, has in more than 16 countries serving more than 44 million subscribers, in order to deliver  a communications service that will meet Palestinian consumers’ expectations in both coverage and quality.”

Ali Eid, Country Manager of Ericsson Palestine, said "This agreement marks an important milestone for telecommunications in Palestine.  We’re proud to be selected by Wataniya to be the major vendor of its mobile infrastructure and to help them provide  best in class service to their customers. With our global leadership and local expertise in implementing advanced and future-proof networks, we are fully committed to support Wataniya in developing a wide-range of mobile communications and data  services.

Aug 27,2008