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Mena Telecom Selects Motorola to Deploy and Manage a Nationwide WiMAX and IMS Network in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Mena Telecom today signed a contract with Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) to plan, deploy and manage a nationwide 802.16e-based mobile WiMAX and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network in the Kingdom of Bahrain.  The 802.16e WiMAX standard delivers significant advantages over the fixed 802.16d standard that is being used by some operators, including advanced antenna technology to improve capacity and range performance. 

This agreement will enable Mena Telecom to leverage Motorola’s leadership in mobile WiMAX and deliver wireless broadband connectivity as well as advanced voice and nomadic broadband data services to both business and residential customers across the Kingdom of Bahrain.  With Motorola’s WiMAX solution, Mena Telecom’s infrastructure will be compatible with technology to be embedded in numerous future devices, including laptops.

The end-to-end network, operating in the 3.5GHz frequency band, will comprise WiMAX infrastructure, IMS core, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), voice and data applications, and operational and business support systems.  Under the terms of the contract, Motorola will also take responsibility for the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, as well as the technical operations of the project and management of the entire WiMAX/IMS network.  The services included in the contract will ensure that Mena Telecom’s evolving WiMAX infrastructure stays current and responsive to business and residential demand as well as technological development.

The Kingdom of Bahrain will be one of the first countries in the world to deploy a nationwide WiMAX 802.16e-based network.  In a ceremony held today, Mr. Abdulhakeem Al Khayyat, chairman of Mena Telecom and general manager of Kuwait Finance House (Bahrain) signed with Motorola for the supply, deployment, operation and management of a nationwide, state-of-the-art mobile WiMAX network.

Mena Telecom with the support of Motorola and integration with Motorola’s WiMAX/IMS solution will be able to offer enhanced communication services for its business and consumer customers.  The Motorola IMS network provides the necessary platform to allow Mena Telecom to continuously enhance its services with minimal impact to the deployed infrastructure.  For business customers, Mena Telecom will be able to offer enterprise data, IP Centrex, PBX connectivity and conferencing services.  Existing Mena Telecom voice services including carrier pre-selection (CPS), pre-paid calling and international VoIP termination will be migrated to the new network.  Motorola will also deliver and operate a multi-channel contact center combined with integrated OSS and BSS capabilities, helping Mena Telecom to deliver a differentiated customer experience.

Mena Telecom expects the network to be ready for service by the fourth quarter of 2007. In the first phase, a full range of services is expected to be available from Manama to the Seef Area beginning in January 2008.  In the second phase, coverage will be extended to other areas in the Kingdom by March 2008.

Mr. Abdulhakeem Al Khayyat, chairman of Mena Telecom and general manager of Kuwait Finance House (Bahrain), said “Mena Telecom aims to make broadband services available to customers throughout the Kingdom of Bahrain at better value-for-money prices.  Equally, using wireless technology, they aim to provide customers with the convenience that will come from nomadic service availability.  They selected Motorola because it is a leading major vendor with assets in all of the critical product and service line areas – and the necessary global span and market presence needed to deliver a practical, fully integrated end-to-end WiMAX solution.  They will be a full service provider of voice and data, and Motorola’s WiMAX and IMS solutions and services allow us to achieve their goal of affordable broadband for both business and individual consumers, without the complexity of building a wired network.”

Mr. Al Khayyat continued, “We firmly support the future advancement of the Bahrain telecom sector with the latest state-of-the-art technology.  The investment environment favors competition and innovation, allowing an operator with leading-edge technology to enter the market and become a prime competitor.  Mena Telecom has the unique opportunity of significantly contributing to the development of the Kingdom of Bahrain while at the same time creating a prosperous telecoms business.”

When questioned about security for this new technology, Mr Abdul Razak Jawahery executive manager at Kuwait Finance House (Bahrain), representing KFH as vice chairman and managing director of Mena Telecom said: “From the outset, the WiMAX standard based on 802.16e was developed specifically with the knowledge that widespread adoption of a broadband wireless service could only happen if both business and residential users were confident that it would be secure.  This standard is targeted at tier 1 service providers with licensed spectrum.  Users can be confident that WiMAX is secure as it’s the newest and most advanced wireless broadband technology and has the latest security built in.”

Motorola has successfully deployed WiMAX technology, with over 25 WiMAX trials and nine deployments underway on six continents, providing a full end-to-end WiMAX solution to its customers.

Mr. Ali Amer, vice president, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, Motorola Home & Networks Mobility said: “We are excited to be working with Mena Telecom to bring WiMAX to the people of the Kingdom of Bahrain.  The Middle East region is demonstrating a strong appetite for innovative technologies and this announcement today demonstrates how a country like the Kingdom of Bahrain, a leader in the early adoption of technology, can leapfrog directly to innovative next-generation technology.  Having long recognized the market need for high performing and cost-effective broadband wireless solutions, Motorola leverages over a decade of investment to deliver its MOTOwi4™ portfolio.  Motorola’s end-to-end WiMAX solutions and services enable operators to quickly and efficiently realize the large revenue potential of corporate as well as residential users.  Motorola will also be operating and managing the network which will enable Mena Telecom to focus on its core competencies and support its efforts to bring WiMAX services to Bahraini customers that deliver a personal broadband experience.”

About Mena TelecomMena Telecom is a licensed telecommunications company based in the Kingdom of Bahrain.  An investment subsidiary of Kuwait Finance House (Bahrain), Mena Telecom aims to revolutionize the telecommunications industry in the Kingdom and beyond. Since its inception in 2003, Mena Telecom has made a significant impact in the telecommunications sector by adapting leading, innovative technology.

Mena Telecom is a pioneer in the telecommunications field as one of the region’s first GCC based Satellite Access Service Providers (SASP).  Leading the way for others in the industry to follow, MENA Telecom was one of the first in the telecommunications sector to adopt and actively promote SASP technology which provides high speed WAN connectivity and enables access to the World Wide Web through an advanced two way satellite network.

Mena Telecom offers total telecommunications solutions which include the following services: International Fixed Line Call Service, International Calling Cards, Two Way Satellite Services and Broadband Applications.

About MotorolaMotorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by their vision of seamless mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you connect simply and seamlessly to the people, information, and entertainment that you want and need.  They do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services.  A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $42.9 billion in 2006.  For more information about their company, their people and their innovations, please visit www.motorola.com.