Zagil Wireless, an international consortium with strong regional connections led by a group of Iraqi telecommunications and business leaders, has submitted its bid for a license to operate a wireless network in Iraq.
"By working with experienced partners to bring wireless communications and other important services to an economy in the early stage of reconstruction, we hope to be able to leap-frog older technologies and rapidly contribute towards increased efficiencies across a broad spectrum of activity nationally and region wide," said CEO and founding member of Zagil Wireless, Francis Dinha.
The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), in preparing the tender document, has divided the country into three regions: north, center, and south and is requiring bidders to select a minimum of two regions when bidding. After the initial period of 12 months, all three operators can roll out nationally.
"This company will be offered to the Iraqi people for subscription in the form of public or private offering as soon it is practicably possible." "This will be a majority owned Iraqi company," said representative of the Zagil equity investors, Ghiath Sukhtian.
Currently, a limited availability of unaffordable satellite phones is the only alternative to an almost completely devastated fixed-line network that did not survive years of war and misrule. Zagil Wireless' business plan calls for major capital expenditure in the early stages so as to rapidly establish base sites and assure an equitable focus across the main cities. It will also entail significant attention to the development of much needed qualified Iraqi personnel to operate and maintain the network. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
