Jordan Telecom News

Jordan Telecom Group offers Orange Livebox to broadband subscribers (January 28, 2008)

– Jordan Telecom Group (JTG) has announced that it has started offering the Orange Livebox, a Wi-Fi router that enables the wireless delivery of services including IPTV and VoIP planned for later this year.

The new Livebox comes with the new double-play bundle of “Surf & Talk”, according to Mickael Ghossein, CEO of JTG. “Competition in the telecommunications market is all about prices, but for Jordan Telecom, the real value lies in the state-of-the-art technology in terms of innovation, quality, simplicity and speed besides functionality.”

The Surf & Talk bundles provide an Internet connection as well as a VoIP line, enabling subscribers to make cheap calls nationally and internationally. The bundles are currently available in 512Kbps and 1Mbps ADSL packages, and the Livebox does not require upfront deposits, purchase or rental fees.

“Simultaneous multi-user functionality is one of the key features of Orange Livebox,” stated Wassila Zitoune, Home Vice President for JTG. Subscribers will also get a free USB Wi-Fi adaptor with the unit to add other computers to the home network.

JTG reportedly plans to launch broadband connections of over 4Mbps later this year, enabling the deployment of IPTV services in the country.

SSC buys government’s 11.6% remaining stake in Jordan Telecom (January 25, 2008)

AMMAN (Petra) - The Social Security Corporation (SSC) Investment Unit on Monday purchased 29,131,991 Jordan Telecom shares which represent the remaining 11.6 per cent government stake in the company.

The purchase agreement, signed by Finance Minister Hamad Kasasbeh and SSC Investment Unit President Mifleh Aqel, amounted to JD135.8 million and raised the SSC equity in Jordan Telecom to 29 per cent.

The Cabinet agreed to sell the remaining part of government equity to the SSC Investment Unit based on the recommendations of the Executive Privatisation Commission (EPC).

Upon Royal directives, the Council of Ministers recently allocated 3 per cent of Jordan Telecom shares to investment funds of the Jordan Armed Forces and other security departments in accordance with a mechanism to be decided later.

Monday’s agreement seals the privatisation of the telecommunications company, a process that the government began in 2000, EPC President Abdul Rahman Khatib said on Monday.

The government began privatising the telecommunications company when it sold 40 per cent of its stake to France Telecom in the country’s largest ever privatisation worth $508 million. At that time, the government also sold 8 per cent of its equity to the SSC’s Investment Unit.

In 2002, the government continued to privatise the company, selling another 10.5 per cent of its remaining stake to Jordanian individuals and different local and Arab financial institutions, in addition to France Telecom.

Four years later in 2006, the government also sold 11 per cent of its stake in Jordan Telecom to France Telecom, 10 per cent to the Kuwaiti financial investment company Noor and another 5 per cent to the SSC.

The government privatisation programme aims at attracting more investments, pushing economic reforms and reducing the burden of foreign debt.

In addition to its privatisation of Jordan Telecom, the government privatised the Royal Jordanian Air Academy in 2003, followed by the privatisation of the postal services and other government economic establishments.

Noor seeks to increase stake in Jordan Telecom (January 4, 2008)

New York, Bloomberg - Noor Financial Investment K.S.C.C. is seeking to increase its stake in Jordan Telecom to more than the 10 percent it now holds, Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Watan said. Noor, which agreed to boost its capital by 50 percent on Tuesday, is also considering two acquisitions this year, Vice Chairman Nasser al-Merri said yesterday at a press conference in Kuwait.

Noor may invest $500 million in projects including a real-estate project in Egypt. The company is looking at an investment in a petrochemical plant and a joint venture Islamic bank with a foreign partner, al-Merri said, without specifying, according to the newspaper.

Zain launches SMS translation service in Jordan (From TelecomPaper, November 8, 2007)

- Mobile operator Zain has launched the Tarjem service for spontaneous translation of SMS text, in collaboration with Sakhr Software in Jordan.

Zain customers will be able to use the service by sending the text that needs translation to 93020. They will receive an immediate translation of the whole text, which would then appear as an SMS on their mobile phones at a cost of JOD 0.1 per message.

Customers will also be able to have access to the IT Service List that Zain provides by pressing *111# and choosing the word 'New' followed by the option 'Translation', then typing the text that needs translation. This service enables all Zain customers to obtain prompt translation for a text from and into Arabic and English languages through SMS.

Deal signed for Orange IPTV in Jordan (From ArabianBusiness.com, November 4, 2007)

- An agreement to launch IPTV services in Jordan has been signed by the Jordan Telecom Group (JTG) and Greece's Intracom Telecom.

JTG's ASDL network will be host to Intracom's fs|cdn IPTV platform with the services operated under the Orange brand name.

"With Orange IPTV, we are bringing Jordan a service that is very popular in Europe and the World enhancing the modern lifestyle and recreational needs of Jordanian customers," said Mickael Ghossein, CEO of JTG.

Subscribers will have access to broadcast TV and video on demand as well as a personal recording service, e-mail alerts and full internet access. Orange's Arabic WorldCall service will also be on offer.

Alexandros Manos, managing director of Intracom said, "Apart from solidifying our cooperation with JTG, this project also serves as a benchmark for the whole Middle East, paving the way for telecom operators to deliver new, value-creating services to their customers".

The broadcast content will include both Arabic and international offerings.

The deal comes as Dubai prepares to host the inaugural IPTV World Forum Middle East & Africa. The conference, on the 5th and 6th of November, will see broadcasters, content providers and platform operators discuss the technological and business challenges of IPTV deployment in the region.

Jordan Telecom Group holds distinctive VIP celebration (from albawaba.com, September 8, 2007)

- As part of its introduction of the French brand name Orange, Jordan Telecom Group held a VIP Gala dinner event at Citadel, featuring unique performances and entertainment.

The event, which was attended by members of the Royal family, was under the patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister Dr. Ma’arouf al Bakhit, and was also attended by Mr. Didier Lombard, Chairman and CEO of France Telecom Group, a number of France Telecom Group’s executives, high ranking Jordanian officials, and members of the diplomatic core in addition to others.

The event, which was a celebratory blend of modern and historic setting, included aerial performances, dancers and singers.

In a short welcoming speech before the beginning of the event, Jordan Telecom Group Chairman Dr. Shabib Ammari said that the top achievement of the Jordan Telecom Group for 2007 was its services re-branding to Orange.

“As providers of Orange services, the Jordan Telecom Group is now well positioned on the world map of telecom services. We are thus claiming a reputation of telecom excellence and efficiencies that places Jordan in a prominent position on the telecom and other vital international arenas. My main reference here is the investment activities, which are the backbone and main life artery of Jordan’s national economy,” Dr Ammari added.

Chairman and CEO of France Telecom Group Mr. Didier Lombard congratulated the Jordan Telecom Group on its re-branding to Orange. He stressed that France Telecom eyes its investment in Jordan as one with great potential.

“We intend to provide all that it takes to enable Jordanians enjoy the best that telecom technology offers worldwide. France Telecom Group shall leverage Jordan’s strategic position in the Middle East as a spring board for further investments and interests in the region,” Lombard said.

The evening marked the occasion in splendour and class with a mix of modern and the classical performances starting off with an oriental dancing show – the Mezdeke Turkish Group, who added flair and excitement to the air, leading to a breathtaking fire acrobatic show. The evening concluded with the velvety voice of Carol Smaha, the multitalented artist, filling the ambiance with her strong and stunning voice.

“We wish to thank our guests for coming and joining us this evening. The Jordan Telecom Group shall deliver on its promises of excellence and innovation. We look forward to serving our customers with world class Orange services,” said Jordan Telecom Group CEO Mr. Mickael Ghossein.

Customers already feel the difference when they visit the Orange branded shops of Jordan Telecom Group. Orange is very evident across the Kingdom with thousands and thousands having been entertained by Orange Carnivals and Orange Blaze; mass activities launched by Jordan Telecom Group to celebrate with Jordanian citizens the adoption of Orange.

The Orange celebration has reached out beyond Amman into other cities and towns of Jordan, right into the heart of the community with the aim of introducing the essence of Orange to ensure that its services are enjoyed, wherever and whenever and without barriers. Orange has a very distinct all-inclusive open style to its services with its behavioral values driving the business forward and at the same time depicting the strength of the services provided by the global operator.

France Telecom has no plan to raise equity in JTG (From The Jordan Times, September 6, 2007)

AMMAN - France Telecom Group (FTG) has no plan to purchase extra shares in Jordan Telecom Group (JTG) in which the government holds an 11.6 per cent stake.

“We are comfortable with the current situation and there is no need to increase our shares in JTG beyond 51 per cent,” FTG Chairman and CEO Didier Lombard told reporters on Tuesday. Later in the day, Lombard met with Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit and several government officials.

During a press conference attended by Lombard, and JTG CEO Mickael Ghossein, JTG Chairman Shabib Ammari announced plans to establish a Technocentre department to help the transfer of know-how to the Kingdom.

The centre, expected to open later this year, will become part of FTG’s international network of 15 Orange labs and bring together researchers, marketing specialists and network engineers with the aim of designing and marketing new products, not only for Jordan, but for the entire FTG wherever it is present.

The centre will enable all Jordanians to benefit from the expertise and engineering of the group’s teams, particularly in the field of convergence, according to a statement received by The Jordan Times.

FTG and JTG officials reviewed in the presser the recent rebranding of JTG services to Orange and outlined the group’s potential in the Middle East region.

JTG has undergone an in-depth rebranding of its services starting with Internet before moving onto fixed and then more recently mobile services. All of JTG’s nearly 2.5 million customers have now shifted over to the Orange brand, a statement received by The Jordan Times reported.

Around 50 stores will be rebranded to Orange by the end of this year, according to the statement.

“I have been most impressed by the way Jordan has wholeheartedly embraced the Orange brand. We intend to provide all that it takes to enable Jordanians enjoy the best that telecom technology offers worldwide,” said Lombard, adding: “With Orange fixed, mobile, Internet and content, we have qualitatively revamped and enhanced Jordan Telecom Group services to world-class levels,” he added.

Lombard said the group as a whole, including Jordan, had implemented a strategic plan during 2006, that has delivered a fully integrated operation producing sound cost efficiencies, faster ways of working and introducing converged offers at “best affordable rates” within the market.

A mass marketing communications campaign has reached out beyond Amman into other cities and towns of the Kingdom with the aim of introducing the essence of Orange to ensure that its services are enjoyed everywhere.

During the presser, Lombard said FTG has invested more than JD350 million in JTG, which has an annual capital expenditure of JD50 million and JD2 million per annum contribution through community social responsibility activities.

“We are committed to investing more as we start to leverage Jordan’s strategic position in the Middle East as a springboard for our interests in the region, initially in Bahrain, Lebanon and then through further potential investments currently being investigated. Jordan will act as our regional hub and as a conduit for master class services and knowledge transfer,” he said.

JTG’s revenues amounted to JD195.7 million during the first half of 2007.

Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators. France Telecom serves more than 163 million customers in five continents as of June 30, 2007, of which, two-thirds are Orange customers.

Mobile services subscribers projected to reach 5m by year end (August 20, 2007)

AMMAN - The number of the mobile services subscribers in the Kingdom is expected to increase to five million by the end of the year, a senior industry executive said Sunday.

Jordan Telecom Group (JTG) CEO Mickael Ghossein told the press yesterday that MobileCom, the group’s mobile telephony provider, alone would have a subscriber-base of two million.

The company has now 1.8 million subscribers.

MobileCom, recently re-branded as Orange, is competing with Fastlink, currently the market leader, and Umniah, in addition to XPress, which basically offers Push-to-Talk communications.

Ghossein, who met with the press to promote new services, described the local market as “promising”, saying “it has huge potential with over 5.5 million Jordanians and another 2 million non-Jordanians living here.”

He also based his forecast on the expected increase in the number of visitors, who usually use local mobile lines during the time they spend in the country.

“Star Offer”, the first Orange mobile offer targeting both Pay as You Go and Pay Monthly customers, gives cost control features of Pay as You Go offers as well as the flexibility and continuous connectivity of the Pay Monthly offers with competitive monthly fees, new features for friends and family numbers, preferred local and international tariffs, in addition to exceptional handset subsidies and 20 free Internet dial-up hours per month, according to a JTG statement.

Meanwhile, the JTG CEO urged the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) to speed up licensing procedures of new services, complaining of the “delay” that hinders providers.

Contacted by The Jordan Times for comment, TRC CEO Ahmad Hyasat dismissed the remark as baseless.

He said the Communications Law offers “the TRC a period of 60-days to respond to any request of this type”.

“Operators should take into consideration this period when applying for licences for new services,” Hyasat added.

Ghossein cited two services, one of which was submitted for licensing three weeks ago, but Hyasat said his agency has almost completed the procedures and would respond soon to the JTG.

Batelco defends $415m deal to buy Jordan telecom firm (From Gulf Daily News, March 1, 2007)

Manama - Shareholders got into a heated debate yesterday about whether or not Batelco had paid a reasonable price for its acquisition of a 96 per cent stake in Jordan-based Umniah Mobile Company. At the company's ordinary and extraordinary general meetings held at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain, some questioned the company's board and management over the $415 million spent on acquiring Umniah.

They argued that since the company was making a loss at the time of the purchase that the amount of money spent was too high.

Batelco chief executive Peter Kaliaropoulos said that it is normal for companies to buy loss-making entities and turn them around. He also pointed out that since Batelco had been involved the company has been profitable.

"The company had made a BD1.5m loss up to July when we made the acquisition, but since then it had turned around to make a profit of about the same amount," he said.

"Very often acquisitions are loss making for years before they break-even. Umniyah has already broken even."

Batelco achieved gross revenue of BD235m, an increase of 11 per cent year-on-year. Net profit increased by 4.4pc to BD89.3m. Earnings per share increased to 74 fils, up from 71 fils in 2005.

Mr Kaliaropoulos said that the 2006 results reflected the ongoing implementation of a three year business strategy to transform Batelco into a customer responsive, value for money, innovative company in Bahrain and create a more diversified, regional operation across the Middle East.

"Our strong results reflect our ongoing focus on delivering better value to our customers, innovative products and services and improving our operational capabilities."

The board's recommendation of a total cash dividend of 48 fils per share for 2006 aggregating BD57.6m was approved at the meeting. Batelco had paid 20 fils per share as interim dividend and the date for paying the remaining 28 fils per share will be announced soon.

The board's recommendation to allocate BD1.8m for charitable, philanthropic and social activities was also approved at the AGM.

"Batelco's performance last year is a very clear validation of our strategy designed with customers' requirements foremost in mind, and comes as a direct result of the inspired planning of our leadership team and the outstanding efforts of our employees," said Batelco chairman Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.

During 2006 Batelco introduced nationwide 2 Mbps Internet access and BD10 broadband.

"We matched these product and service innovations with reduced prices for business and consumer Internet and data services and in addition IDD call rates were reduced by up to 65pc."

The company also corrected a report in another newspaper which stated that the company had claimed that the company had reached a settlement with the Batelco Trade Unnion for a 25pc wage hike with retrospective effect from January.

"Batelco entered into an agreement to negotiate with the union their demands for salary increase and redundancy packages if and when employees may be surplus to business requirements," said corporate affairs general manager Ahmed Al Janahi.

"Batelco agreed to undertake a research study into salary packages and report to the Ministry by April 15."

No decision has been made to grant salary increases."

Mr Janahi also said that while the company does not oppose a suggestion by the Labour Ministry that payments should be backdated, the Batelco board would need to ratify any recommendation that the management and the union may agree on.

"Batelco has decided to conduct studies and negotiate further with the assistance of the ministry and produce recommendations not later than April 15," said Mr Janahi.

The trade union had earlier announced a demonstration to be held outside the hotel but later cancelled it following a meeting with Batelco mediated by the Labour Ministry.

Jordan Telecom Group Inaugurates First Integrated showroom at Mecca Mall (September 3, 2006)

Jordan Telecom Group (JTG) - Jordan Telecom, MobileCom, Wanadoo and e-dimension inaugurated on Sunday their new integrated showroom at Mecca Mall. The show room will enable customers to benefit from the services and offerings of Group members, Jordan Telecom, MobileCom, Wanadoo and e-dimension through one simple point of contact.

“The opening of the Jordan Telecom Group showroom will enable customers to further witness the benefits of the integration,” said Laurent Mialet, CEO of Jordan Telecom Group. "The shop at Mecca mall will enable customers to benefit from the various services and total telecom solutions available by the group members in one location, thus saving them time and make it more convenient to receive direct services from their operator while shopping. We promise our customers that Jordan Telecom Group will open new showrooms in other various locations.”

The showroom will enable visitors to benefit from the various offerings, products and solutions of the group companies, which in return allows customers to pay their invoices subscribe to new offers and benefit from latest group solutions and direct sales offerings at the one stop shop.

Jordan Telecom Group has taken into consideration the communication needs of its various customers, businesses in Jordan have already started witnessing massive change in their communication services provided by Jordan Telecom Group,” said Mr. Mickael Ghossein, Executive Vice President of Jordan Telecom Group. “The Group is currently developing services which will enable businesses to further cut their communication costs and at the same time expand their offerings to their own customers.”

Jordan Telecom Group is currently developing converged services, which will enable users to get the maximum benefit from their communication partner. With the vast development of telecommunication services on local and regional levels, customers will be able to benefit from the solutions which group companies will develop to facilitate the communication needs of their customers.

“The shop is the first commercial symbol of Jordan Telecom Group integration. It is in Mecca Mall's new extension and occupies 250 square meters. It is the first totally integrated shop where all products and services of Jordan Telecom Group will be provided,” said Dr. Bassam Hannoun, Chief Sales Officer at JTG. “The design of this shop delivers distinct values that are in line with the Group strategy in providing differentiation and a customer centric approach.”

The showroom which, occupies 250 square meters, will provide services to customers and Mecca Mall shoppers all weekdays, through Saturday until Thursday from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm and on Fridays from 12:00 pm until 10:00 pm.

House Finance committee members challenge Umniah deal (From Jordan Times, July 6, 2006)

AMMAN - Lawmakers told the government on Wednesday to “enforce” fees and taxation on the $415 million sale of Umniah Mobile Communications (UMC) to Manama-based Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco).

“The government committed a mistake by issuing an operating licence to Umniah for JD4 million and it must correct its mistake,” said Hashim Dabbas, head of the Lower House Finance Committee, following a meeting between the committee members and Minister of Information and Communications Technology Omar Kurdi yesterday.

Deputies said the government must reconsider the licensing fee and collect all taxes from which the company was exempt.

“We do not want to extort either of the two companies, but the government must find a legal way to claim part of the money,” said Dabbas, who insisted that such measures would not discourage foreign investment in the country.

Kurdi presented the details of the Umniah sale to the committee, stressing that the deal was carried out with transparency and the price was similar to that of other mobile operators, which were sold.

Last week, Batelco agreed to purchase a 96 per cent stake in Umniah for $415 million.

Some MPs charged that the government was “conned” because it sold the operating licence to the mobile service provider for JD4 million, in addition to granting the company tax exemptions and several concessions.

Also on Wednesday, Deputy Mamdouh Abbadi (Amman Third District) sent a letter to Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit via the Lower House to question him over the issue.

On Tuesday, at least 33 MPs signed a petition calling on the government to stop the deal from going through until an investigation is held, but others cast doubt on Parliament’s ability to change what has been done.

“Everything has been concluded and there is nothing we can do about it, we have to swallow the bitter pill and learn,” said Deputy Musa Wahsh (Amman Second District), a member of the Finance Committee who boycotted the meeting with Kurdi.

In their petition, the signatories said the government must give an explanation for the “huge difference” between operating licence fee and the $415 million price tag.

Also on Tuesday, the Cabinet discussed the sale during their weekly meeting and said the transaction went through legitimate procedures.

Kurdi presented the regulations and mechanisms of communication sector licensing to the Council of Ministers, Government Spokesperson Nasser Judeh told reporters following the meeting.

Earlier this week, Kurdi defended the deal saying it was a “success story” for the government.

“To say that the deal is unfair is a miscalculation. The critics built their case on the assumption that the deal was about the JD4 million licence fee but they overlooked the fact that the $415 million price involves the infrastructure, the customer base and its assets,” the minister told The Jordan Times.

“From each JD1 spent on mobiles services, the government receives JD0.30,” the minister said.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) council issued a statement on Sunday, saying it has no objection to the completion of the deal.

Umniah is the latest mobile operator in Jordan offering nationwide coverage with over 460 base stations across the country and more than 500,000 subscribers.

Cabinet: Umniah sale went through legitimate procedures (July 5, 2006)

AMMAN - The government on Tuesday said the sale of Umniah Mobile Communications (UMC) to the Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) went through the legitimate procedures, Government Spokesperson Nasser Judeh told reports on Tuesday.

During a long evening session yesterday, he said the Cabinet discussed the UMC deal and ensured that the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) approved the deal after applying the right procedures and according to its law.

Minister of Information and Communications Technology Omar Kurdi presented the regulations and mechanisms of communication sector licensing operators to the ministers’ council, Judeh added.

Last week, Batelco agreed to purchase a 96 per cent stake in UMC for $415 million.

This week, 15 deputies signed a petition calling for halting the sale of UMC to Batelco “until the government retains its rights.”

However, Kurdi disagreed with the MPs, stressing that the deal was a “success story for the government.”

Kurdi explained on Tuesday that the UMC licence cost Batelco JD4 million; meanwhile, 4 per cent of the company’s shares are allocated to support the university students’ fund, and 10 per cent of the company’s annual revenue will be paid to the government.

He added that Sales Tax is not applicable on this deal, only the capital ownership has changed.

The TRC issued a statement on Sunday in which it said the government — through its communications sector policy since 2003 — is committed to liberalising the sector and opening the way for new mobile operators to enter the market.

“The government took this move to increase competition and enhance the quality of services, reduce prices of calls, create job opportunities and increase the volume of investments in this sector,” the statement said.

The TRC said it announced the availability of a third licence for a mobile operator in the newspapers and UMC, among five other companies, competed for the licence.

The statement added that UMC got the licence in the end as it met all the required conditions.

The sale of UMC, the value of the deal and the conditions do not fall under the TRC’s jurisdiction, according to the statement.

Thus, the TRC council said it has no objection to the completion of the deal, and called for abiding by laws, regulations and instructions in this regard.

Batelco acquires 96 per cent stake in Umniah for USD415 million (June 26, 2006)

AMMAN (JT) - Batelco has agreed to purchase a 96 per cent stake in Umniah Mobile Communications (UMC) for $415 million, Batelco’s Chairman Hassan Ali Juma announced in a press release.

Batelco will purchase the shares of Umniah Telecom and Technologies (UTT) owned by Michael Dagher and Fouad Al Ghanim and Sons Group; founding partners of UMC, Global Investment House and related management contracts associated with the operation of Umniah.

The Underprivileged Student Support Fund in Jordan’s universities will retain the remaining four per cent equity in Umniah.

Dagher and Juma signed the agreement here on Saturday. Finalization of the purchase is subject to certain preconditions but full completion is expected by June 28.

Umniah is the latest GSM mobile operator in Jordan offering nationwide coverage, with over 460 base stations across the country, to more than 500,000 mobile subscribers.

Umniah, which started commercial operations late June 2005, focused on innovation and value and has grown rapidly, gaining 13 per cent of the Jordanian mobile market share in the last 12 months.

Batelco’s consolidated accounts, at group level, are expected to show 14 per cent revenue growth in 2006 and 10 per cent growth in EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes and amortization). Mobile subscribers are expected to grow by 120 per cent and reach over 1.2 million by the end of 2006.

“The acquisition of Umniah will provide significant profitable growth for Batelco in the expanding Jordanian market and boost the company’s strategic long- term plans,” Juma said.

“Batelco has developed and is executing a niche growth strategy in the Middle East by focusing in areas of substantial growth from broadband and mobile operations. The acquisition of Umniah is consistent with such strategy and provides the right kind of fit for Batelco’s needs,” he added.

Dagher said: “Batelco’s agreement to acquire 96 per cent of Umniah testifies that we have been key players in the mobile telecommunications industry in Jordan and have great potential on a regional level. We, at Umniah, are proud of this new investment in Jordan’s economy, which illustrates the valuable trust accorded to the investment atmosphere in Jordan.”

“Umniah’s role has directly and indirectly resulted in increasing the use of mobile services from 25 per cent before Umniah’s licensing to more than 60 per cent today,” he added. “Umniah’s network has expanded rapidly, in less than one year, we have been able to create more than 500,000 subscriber base and have achieved nationwide coverage in 11 months. Umniah gained 13 per cent of the Jordanian mobile market share in the last 12 months.”

“This initiative comes to reiterate Jordan’s strong and welcoming investment environment and Batelco’s interest in Umniah greatly bears witness to this,” elaborated Omar Al Quqa, the executive vice president of Global Investment House which not only was a strategic partner but also acted as an adviser to the selling parties.

“Batelco aims to be a significant integrated telecommunications operator in Jordan offering customers innovation, better value and choice for fixed and wireless solutions,” Juma said.”Batelco already offers broadband services in Jordan through its subsidiary, Batelco Jordan and Umniah will complement our existing operations.”

Batelco plans to operate Umniah independently to its fixed-line business which is trading under the brand- name Batelco Jordan. It also plans to continue its regional expansion drive through targeted acquisitions of other operators and licenses.

“Whilst our origins are in Bahrain and we have to drive a ‘Customers First’ strategy of continuous operational improvement in Bahrain, to deliver growth and dividends, we also have to tap into growing markets larger than Bahrain either directly or with partners,” Juma added.

The acquisition of Umniah is consistent with Batelco’s 2006-08 “Peak Performance” Business Strategy presented to the board of directors in December 2005. At that occasion, Juma indicated that exploring new markets across Middle East and North Africa in order to grow and continue to nurture the company’s joint ventures in Jordan, Kuwait and Egypt, were high on Batelco’s priority list.

In a bid to develop the ICT environment in Aqaba

Jordan Telecom Group provides Tala Bay Resort

With telecom services (February 22, 2006)

- The JT Group and Jordan Touristic Projects Development Co signed an Agreement today, by virtue of which the JT Group provides Tala Bay Resort on the Southern beach of the City of Aqaba, with the most advanced voice and digital services, and of the highest standards.

The Group President, Laurent Mialet and the Jordan Touristic Projects Development Co CEO, Naser al Khalidi, signed the Agreement.

The Agreement enables the Jordan Touristic Development Co and investors in the Tala Bay project to access full benefits of modern telecom services provided by the JT Group, including the undertaking of necessary civil works, cable laying and networks connectivity.

Mialet affirmed the Group's endeavor to develop the ICT infrastructure in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZA), in response to the due importance the ASEZA holds in enhancing the national economy.

Mialet added that the Agreement will help provide the infrastructure at Tala Bay Resort with modern telecom services, and technological solutions all made possible by the JT Group and according to international standards.

"Jordan Telecom, in its new existence as an Integrated Operator, has enhanced its capabilities in offering and providing the services that merge between telecommunications and information," said Eng Dissa Jaimouka, Director, Operational Marketing. Such services are made available for both residential and business customers she added, whereby this Agreement comes to provide a true translation of the JT vision in providing the right environment for local and foreign investments.

Jordan Telecom has earlier this month announced its adoption of the integrated operator concept amongst its different subsidiaries. Activities provided by Jordan Telecom, MobileCom, Wanadoo and e-Dimension have all come together under one umbrella, that of the JT Group integrated administrative structure.

Al Khalidi said that the Agreement aims to promote local and foreign investments in the touristic sector, generally in ASEZA and particularly in the Tala Bay Resort. It endeavours to rehabilitate housing units, hotels, and commercial centres with telecom services and technological solutions which will upgrade the project's level and help the Company promote it well in the few forthcoming years.

Jordan for Touristic Projects Development was established in June 2001 by a group of investors. Later it became a public holding entity and aims to build comprehensive high standard resorts. The Tala Bay Resort will be constructed on an area amounting to 2671 dunoms. The Resort will have many tourist attractions including the Red Sea Beach, stretching over two kilometers, a yachts bay in an area of 30 thousand sq metres, different accommodation facilities, hotels, recreational activities including a golf court, beach club, water garden, other support services, shops, and residential areas for employees.

Fastlink and Jordan Post sign agreement enabling customers to pay their bills at post offices (From menareport.com, November 20, 2005)

- Fastlink, one of MTC group companies, the leading mobile operator in the Middle East & Africa, and Jordan Post have signed an agreement under which Fastlink customers would be able to pay their bills at post offices, which are located in the various areas of the Kingdom.

The move aims at facilitating customers’ payment methods, saving them time and effort and providing them with the highest level of customer care.

Fastlink CEO Mohammad Saqer said at a press conference, held at the Company offices that the agreement provides customers with a fast easy way to pay their bills and offers them a variety of locations to go to. Saqer added that the big effort undertaken by Jordan Post to serve citizens in various areas across the Kingdom inspired Fastlink to sign the cooperation agreement, a move that serves all types of customers. He pointed that the move also reflects Fastlink’s continued efforts to meet the fast paced changes that affect the world of technology and to maintain its leading position in the local and regional markets.

Saqer said that Fastlink, with 1.8 million customers and ten years of service, exerts all possible efforts to introduce to the market the latest technologies and provide the best service to customers by availing e-payment methods that facilitate people’s bill payment. E-payment allows customers to pay their monthly bills or recharge their credit using their mobile phones in a secure and easy manner from anywhere and at any time.

Jordan Post General Manager Amen Kamel Kawar said the agreement also meets the Company’s plans to enhance services rendered to citizens in all areas, pointing out that Jordan Post is an expansive network that serves all sectors of society.

Kawar said that since its establishment, Jordan Post has been advancing its services through the signing of agreements with various corporations and companies in the Kingdom. Jordan Post has also provided advanced training to staff and upgraded its services electronically while working on refurbishing its offices so as to meet world development in technology. He said the Company aims to serve as the communications hub for citizens as well as private and public corporations and to reach all areas across Jordan, adding that Jordan Post offices will be used as one of the tools for e-Government in the future. There are 170 post offices distributed across various areas in Jordan.

Jordan Telecom extends services using IBM suite (From itp.net, October 14, 2005)

- Jordan Telecom is to launch new mobile, fixed and internet services for its customers after signing a multi-million dollar deal with IBM.

The deal will allow Jordan Telecom to reduce the size
of its infrastructure and to deploy a number of different new technologies including infrastructure consolidation, data warehousing, business intelligence (BI) solutions, and a new portal service for its customers and employees.

“Earlier this year, Jordan Telecom embarked on a number of initiatives that drive internet growth in the Kingdom, including the launch of major innovative services that encourage the adoption of technology by Jordanian businesses,” said Rula Ammuri, chief information officer at Jordan Telecom.

“In order to do this, we required a robust and reliable technology infrastructure that would allow us to manage our operations effectively and provide us a sophisticated platform to launch new mobile, fixed and internet services for our customers,” Ammuri added.

Jordan Telecom’s new data warehouse and BI solution will be based on the IBM Telecom Data Warehouse end-to-end open-standards solution. It will incorporate existing elements of the telco’s customer relationship management (CRM) system and will connect into its other business processes.

The deal will see Jordan Telecom migrate its existing base of Unix servers to IBM’s eServer pSeries technology, which will be used to underpin its billing and customer care applications. The telco said the move would help it to handle expected increases in data loads.

“Jordan Telecom is operating in one of the most dynamic telecom markets in the region, an environment that encourages competition and brings new growth opportunities through the launch of advanced value-added services,” said Takreem El-Tohamy, general manager of IBM Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan. “Using sophisticated solutions that are based on open architecture and open standards, we believe will help it be poised to reap the benefits of convergence and offer the most innovative services to its customers.”

Jordan Telecom has selected Websphere as the integrating platform for its intranet portal. It has also provided its 500 employees with ThinkCentre desktops that incorporate ThinkVantage technologies and offer advanced security and PC manageability features.

MobileCom debuts Electronic Payment Service in Jordan via the 'PAYNET' service (From ameinfo, September 26, 2005)

- MobileCom announced at a press conference, held at the Four Seasons Hotel, the implementation of the 'PAYNET' (The National Payment Gateway), a service provided through a joint venture between Visa Jordan Card Services (VJCS) and Specialized Technical Services (STS).

MobileCom's Products and Services Marketing Manager, Marwan Al-Muhaisen said that the launch of this service is a step forward towards the enhancement of MobileCom services for the benefit of its customers. Implementing the unique PAYNET service will facilitate easy settlement of subscriptions through MobileCom's website from anywhere, and at anytime, securely and smoothly.

Al-Muhaisen added, 'Providing this service will save our customers time and reduce the queues often seen in our branches. We are confident it will eventually become the ultimate and most convenient means for customers to settle their mobile bills and recharge their prepaid lines. As the leader in e-commerce payment services, we have focused on applying new  and modern technologies in several areas. In pursuing the highest international standards in security and encryption, today, MobileCom is the pioneer mobile operator in providing electronic payment solutions in Jordan through Visa, and soon MasterCard.

PAYNET is very simple. The process starts with MobileCom customers visiting the MobileCom website (www.mobilecom.jo).

After establishing the payment due, and preferred method of payment, customers will only need to click the 'Pay' button and the transaction will be processed via the PAYNET