GSM is the logical choice for integrating Iraq?s telecommunications nationally and internationally says GSM Association
London, 6 October 2003: The GSM Association, the global trade association for the world?s GSM mobile operators, today welcomed the news that GSM has been confirmed as the mobile communications system of choice for Iraq?s new commercial mobile networks.
?GSM will help re-integrate Iraq internally, with its neighbours, the region and the rest of the world,? commented Craig Ehrlich, Chairman of the GSM Association.
The ?Global System for Mobile communication? (GSM) is used by almost one billion people worldwide including more than 40 million people in the countries bordering Iraq, all of which have GSM networks, and all of which benefit from GSM?s international roaming capabilities. In emerging economies throughout the world, GSM has proven time after time that it is the best communications medium to drive economic development.
The decision to use the GSM system for the country?s commercial networks is fundamental to reconnecting Iraq internally and to the rest of the world in the shortest possible time. Indeed, the benefits of GSM have already been demonstrated in Iraq with private networks that are already providing services to those engaged in humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Baghdad and Basra.
GSM can be deployed and become operational faster than any other mobile technology: the CPA's tendering process stipulated that network deployment must commence within 20 days of licenses being issued. Furthermore, the worldwide GSM market has ensured that an enormous choice of infrastructure and handsets is readily available at competitive prices ? meaning a better deal for the people of Iraq.
?The Coalition Provisional Authority?s prime selection criteria were clear: Iraq?s mobile technology must deliver value for money and satisfy immediate needs for international integration and inward investment,? said Rob Conway, the Association?s CEO and member of its Board. ?GSM is the logical choice to deliver cost-effective, rapidly deployable and interoperable infrastructure, handsets and services.?
The CPA has awarded licences in three regions. As well as providing service to foreign visitors, GSM?s roaming capabilities will ensure that customers of one regional operator will be able roam on to any of the other regional networks. The regional operators selected by CPA are:
Northern Iraq Asia Cell Telecommunications Company Ltd
(Investors: Asia Cell Company, Wataniya Telecom, United Gulf Bank)
Central Iraq & Baghdad Orascom Telecom Iraq Corporation
(Investors: Orascom Telecom Holdings SAE (Egypt), Mr Alaa El Khawaja, Allied SA Ltd)
Southern Iraq Atheer Telecom Iraq
(Investors: MTC (Kuwait), Dijla Telecommunications Corp, Kharafi National)
About the GSM Association:
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association that exists to promote, protect and enhance the interests of GSM mobile operators throughout the world. At the end of September 2003, it consisted of more than 596 second and third generation mobile operators and 140 manufacturers and suppliers. The Association's members currently provide mobile services to 922 million customers across 204 countries and territories around the world. The GSMA aims to accelerate the implementation of collectively identified, commercially prioritised operator requirements and to take leadership in representing the global GSM mobile operator community with one voice on a wide variety of issues nationally, regionally and globally.
The GSM family of wireless communications platforms, including GSM, GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) and 3GSM (EDGE - Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution and W CDMA) account for 72 percent of the total digital wireless market today. The GSM Association is a unique organisation, with truly global reach, offering a full range of business, technical and public policy services to its members. For more information, visit the website at
http://www.gsmworld.com.
The GSM Association's Board comprises the following operator companies and multinational groups: AT&T Wireless Group; China Mobile; China Unicom; Hutchison Group; KT ICOM; Maxis Mobile; mmO2 Group; NTT DoCoMo, Inc.; Orange Group; Orascom Telecom Group; SFR Cegetel; SingTel Group; SUNDAY Communications Ltd; Taiwan Cellular; Telef?nica M?viles Group; Telenor Mobile Group; TeliaSonera Group; TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile) Group; T-Mobile Group; Turkcell and the Vodafone Group. The Board also includes the GSMA's CEO and Chairman of the Executive Management Committee.
Contact Information:
Mark Smith
Communications Director
GSM Association
Tel: +44 (0)20 7518 0530
Fax: +44 (0)20 7518 0531
msmith@gsm.org
Kevin Taylor / Richard Fogg
Companycare Communications
Tel: +44 (0)118 939 5900
Fax: +44 (0)118 959 9595
kevin@companycare.com
richard@companycare.com
| Forums:
