http://english.wafa.ps/?action=detail&id=12023
*Wataniya Palestine Given Spectrum Allocation* DUHA, July 29, 2008 (WAFA) - Wataniya Palestine has been granted its operational radio spectrum so that it can launch its GSM network in the Palestinian Territories. Qatar based newspaper, The Peninsula, reported that spectrum agreement reached with the Palestinian Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MTIT) will be for a staged release of radio frequencies over the next several months. 'WPT represents one of the most significant foreign investments in the history of Palestine. Despite delays in securing the required frequencies, Wataniya Telecom and Qtel have always been fully committed to this venture. We look forward to launching commercial operations in Palestine and we are very confident that WPT will be a success story that will attract other foreign investors to the Palestinian market,' Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman of Qtel and Wataniya Telecom. The Palestinian Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MTIT) awarded a GSM/3G license to Wataniya in 2006, after it agreed to pay JD251 million (US$354 million). Wataniya Mobile officials estimate the phone network would draw about US$650 million in foreign investment to the West Bank and create as many as 2,500 jobs in the first two years. Wataniya International has established a new company in Palestine which is 40% owned by Wataniya International, 30% will be offered to the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) and 30% owned by the general population through an IPO. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
