Alcatel selected by Orascom
Telecom to deliver a new GSM network in Iraq
Paris,
February 17, 2004 – Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) and Orascom
Telecom announced today the launch of the first commercial GSM network in
the Central region of Iraq including Baghdad. The contract is part of the
Global Frame Agreement signed between Orascom Telecom and Alcatel, further
enhancing their ongoing relationship in the Middle East and Africa.
In the frame of the contract signed in September 2003 with Orascom Telecom,
Alcatel is one of the major suppliers of this new network. The first phase
of the network installation started in October 2003. On November 25, 2003,
Alcatel succeeded in making the first phone call on the new network. Orascom
Telecom is hoping to reach 1 million subscribers in the first two years.
The new network based on Alcatel’s industry leading Evolium solution,
comprises a core Network Sub-System (NSS), including a Mobile Switching
Center (MSC) as well as an Intelligent Network platform for value-added
services and revenue-generating applications such as Voice Mail Service
(VMS) and a Short Message Service Center (SMS-C). Alcatel is responsible for
installation and commissioning of the network in addition to supporting the
network operations.
As an industry-leading solution, the Alcatel Evolium™ family supports GSM,
GPRS, EDGE and UMTS technologies that can integrate future 3G mobile data
applications.
Naguib Sawiris, Chairman of the Board of Orascom Telecom said, “Alcatel has
proven to be a very flexible and supportive partner of Orascom Telecom. With
the full support of Alcatel we have been able to meet this new challenge and
provide enhanced GSM services to the Iraqi people in a record time.”
“This new contract reflects a significant milestone in our partnership with
Orascom Telecom”, said Marc Rouanne, Chief Operating Officer of Alcatel’s
mobile communications activities. “Taking advantage of our deep knowledge of
the Iraqi telecommunications industry, we are convinced that this
cutting-edge network will contribute to help Iraqis accelerate the
reconstruction of their country.”
About Orascom Telecom
The latest Offspring of the Orascom Group of Companies, Orascom Telecom
emerged as the largest telecommunications player in the Middle East and
Africa. Orascom Telecom’s regional GSM presence and its activities in
Internet and satellite, technical management and telecom support services
position it as an integrated telecommunications conglomerate.
With 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 over 6 million subscribers as a result of its
aggressive strategy to be the primary GSM network operator in the region.
Furthermore, Orascom Telecom is the largest commercial supplier of Internet
access and web-based services and solutions in Egypt and has begun expanding
these Services into the Arabian Gulf region.
Orascom Telecom is one of five major companies representing the Orascom
Group, founded by Mr. Onsi Sawiris in 1950. Orascom Group is currently
considered one of the largest and most successful conglomerates in Egypt
with more than 20,000 employees and a yearly turnover exceeding
approximately over 3 billion EGP.
Visit our site at www.otelecom.com.
About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers,
Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and
video applications to their customers or to their employees. Alcatel
leverages its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks,
applications and services to bring value to its customers in the framework
of a broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.5 billion in 2003, Alcatel
operates in more than 130 countries.
Alcatel is now the world’s fastest growing GSM/GPRS and EDGE supplier.
Alcatel has established a dominant position in today’s expanding emerging
markets, where it is now the leader, with a 25% share. Alcatel’s diversified
portfolio of over 150 mobile operators includes a strong segment of
greenfield operators – in Central & Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific and Africa
& the Middle-East – which are poised for the most rapid expansion. Alcatel’s
highly efficient business model implemented through its Evolium™ radio &
core solutions – GPRS and EDGE ready, has significantly contributed to this
success. Alcatel offers mobile operators a GSM 800, 900, 1800 and 1900MHz
end-to-end solution offering, including radio access and core network
systems, services platform and mobile terminals. Moreover, the company is
expanding its offering in advanced applications and services.
Alcatel’s application portfolio
leverages and extends the value of telecom networks. Alcatel’s Open Service
Delivery Engine is the ideal applications environment based on next
generation IN and J2EE technology. It enables the implementation of a wide
range of applications such as network proxies, WAP or SMS gateways,
messaging solutions such as UMS or MMS, 0800 and 0900 services, mobile or
fixed VPN solutions, a complete and convergent real-time payment chain.
Alcatel’s UMTS solutions are a reality today, with more than 20 UMTS pilot
networks delivered in Europe and in Asia. Evolium SAS, the Alcatel-Fujitsu
joint venture, delivers a mobile infrastructure that is 3GPP-compliant,
field-proven and capitalizes on Japanese 3G technical and field experience.
Paris,
