UAE’s Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company has awarded a distribution and logistics contract to two companies of the Dubai-based Rais Hassan Saadi Group, thereby preparing for its mobile telephone launch expected in June of this year, reported official WAM news agency.
The group's companies -- Trident Freight and RHS Logistics -- will provide complete distribution support for Thuraya from UAE to nearly 100 countries, said the agency.
“It was tough competition, but our package was very attractive for them since we have very advanced infrastructure,” Salim Rais, director of the group, was quoted as saying.
Mobile handsets flown in from Switzerland and Mexico will be stored in the warehouse of the Dubai-based company in Jebel Ali, from where it will be airlifted to various countries on Thuraya's request.
Thuraya has signed contracts with Hughes Networks System and Swiss Ascom for the supply of 2.35 million mobile phones. The value of contract with Hughes Corporation was $1 billion. The total cost of the venture is $1.1 billion. Thuraya has an initial planned capacity to service 1.8 million subscribers, but it expects 400,000 subscribers by the end of 2001 and 800,000 by the end of 2002, according to the report – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
