Companies prepare for monster growth...
Iraq is set to become one of the fastest growing wireless markets in the Middle East for years to come.
On February 5, 2004, Baghdad witnessed the commercial launch of Iraqna, a fully operational GSM network rolled out speedily after the award of the license. Iraqna operates under a two-year license areement signed with the Iraqi Ministry of telecommunications. Two other licensees covering the north and south regions, Asia-Cell and Atheer Telecom, respectively, signed identical agreements towards the end of 2003.
Asia-Cell uses an existing network in the north, setup over five years ago with major expansion plans already underway.
The south region?s Atheer Telecom will be the last to operate; it presently offers limited coverage utilizing neighboring Kuwait?s MTC-Vodafone network.
?Services currently on offer are restricted to voice calls, SMS and a limited number of value added services such as free emergency numbers and voice mail on the Iraqna network. Iraqna offers International roaming in over 100 countries as well. MMS, Instant Messaging and TV voting are in the pipeline,? Arab Advisors Group?s research Analyst Faisal Hakki wrote in a recent report. ?Coverage is also still restricted, yet all operators are promising near blanket population coverage well before their two-year license agreements mature,? Hakki added.
