CAIRO -- Oct. 23, 2003 - Operator Orascom Telecom Iraq
Corp. (BVI), in which regional operator Orascom Telecom Holding S.A.E of Egypt
(LSE: ORTEq.L) owns a 63 percent share, has chosen Motorola as its supplier of
GSM base stations and transmission equipment for its network to provide
communications services to the Iraqi people in Baghdad and the Central region.
Motorola’s (NYSE:MOT) Global Telecom Solutions Sector (GTSS) will supply
GSM infrastructure to Orascom Telecom Iraq Corp. (OTI) for its new mobile
network in a contract worth up to $40 million. Motorola will be the main
supplier for the Central region for the two-year duration of the network license
in a full turnkey contract.
OTI is the first
licensee to provide comprehensive mobile telephony services in Iraq’s
Central Region. Operating under the service name "Iraqna", it is one of the
three regional network operators that will form Iraq’s first national
mobile telecommunications network. Mr. Naguib Sawiris, Chairman and CEO of
Orascom Telecom Holding, stated, “This award confirms Orascom
Telecom’s position as the leading operator in the region. We are happy to
be a partner in the development of the New Iraq, and we will do our best to
contribute to its prosperity by bringing this highly demanded service to its
people and creating a better future.”
Licenses to build and operate the three regional
networks were awarded to operators on October 6, 2003. The first coverage from
these networks in Iraq’s North, Central and South regions is expected to
begin within weeks, with Motorola starting delivery of equipment to Orascom
immediately. More than 1 million subscribers in the region are expected to
receive voice services during the two-year duration of the
licenses.
Motorola was chosen for its extensive
experience in the region, in which it provides 2G and 2.5G infrastructure for
leading national carriers, and its ability to meet the need for rapid deployment
of the new networks, a key condition of the license awards. Motorola has a
strong relationship with Orascom, supplying 100 percent of the base stations for
Orascom’s network in Pakistan and almost 60 percent of its joint network
with Orange in Egypt.
Jeff Cherif,
vice president, Motorola, and general manager of Middle East and Africa,
Motorola GTSS, commented: “Establishing a nationwide mobile
telecommunications network is an important step in addressing the economic and
social needs of the Iraqi people. Motorola is pleased to be working with its
long-time strategic partner Orascom in helping build a substantial
telecommunications sector in Iraq.”
A
portion of the purchase price will be financed by
Motorola.
About
OrascomOrascom Telecom Holding S.A.E (OTH) was
established in 1998, and has grown to become the largest and most diversified
GSM network operator in the Middle East, Africa, and Pakistan. With more than
ten licenses covering the region, Orascom Telecom has positioned itself as a
leading telecommunications conglomerate in emerging markets of this region.
Starting with MobiNil in Egypt, Orascom Telecom continued to expand its network
to cover Algeria, Tunisia, Pakistan, Congo, Chad, Zimbabwe, DRC, Ivory Coast,
and just recently acquired Iraq. The company’s subscriber base has
continued to grow to reach more than 6 million subscribers as a result of its
aggressive strategy to be the primary GSM network operator in the region. For
further information, please access our website:
www.otelecom.com.
About
MotorolaMotorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global
leader in wireless, automotive and broadband communications. Sales in 2002 were
$27.3 billion. Motorola is a global corporate citizen dedicated to ethical
business practices and pioneering important innovations that make things smarter
and life better, honored traditions that began when the company was founded 75
years ago this year. For more information, please visit
www.motorola.com.
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Media
Contacts:Stephanie
Forrest
Motorola
GTSS
EMEA Communications and Public Affairs
Manager
+44 (0)1256790010
