Umniah, the latest telecommunications operator to launch in Jordan, has recently won the first ever 3.5 GHz FBWA (Fixed Broadband Wireless Access) license awarded by the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) in Jordan following a successful JD 8.3m (US$11.8m) bid.
Umniah, the 96% owned by Bahrain-based Batelco Group, will now rollout alternative local access infrastructure and deliver wide coverage and affordable broadband Internet access and voice services to customers in Jordan. Internet users will also be able to utilize VoIP applications and download and upload multimedia - video streaming solutions.
The successful bid is part of Umniah’s ongoing strategy of providing sophisticated yet competitive services to increase the Internet penetration in the kingdom. Being one of the latest solutions in wireless Internet, Umniah’s WiMAX technology offers advanced Internet infrastructure for users in Jordan characterized by high speed download and ease of access
Peter Kaliaropoulos, Chief Executive of Batelco, stressed Umniah’s objective of delivering affordable choice and innovative fixed and mobile services to consumers and business: "Whilst we are thrilled to have secured such a license, it's the Jordanian consumer who has won today.” “Effective competition is about delivering services and value and not about being controlled by frustrating and time consuming local access practices.”
“For the first time ever, Umniah will be able to bypass a third-party infrastructure and deliver true value and a quality of service direct to the consumer without any dependence on our competitors." He added.
According to Kaliaropoulos, Umniah is the most innovative mobile provider in Jordan and a leader in the application and usage of cutting-edge wireless technologies in GSM, GPRS, EDGE and now WiMAX.
“Umniah offers national coverage and is designing and developing innovative on-demand value-added services and solutions, through its network, which is fully-enabled for migration to 3G mobility standards,” he said.
This is the third significant investment by Batelco in Jordan, according to Kaliaropoulos: “Batelco is very pleased to have had the opportunity to make a significant commitment to the telecommunications industry in Jordan through its investments in Umniah and Batelco Jordan. This recent license win by Umniah is excellent news.”
