Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., January 21, 2009 Tevet 25, 5769 | | Israel Time: 15:57 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 00:00 24/10/2007
Kuwaiti mobile company wins Israel frequencies to operate in PA
By Reuters
Tags: Israel, mobile service 

Kuwait's National Mobile Telecommunications Co. (Wataniya) has won Israeli frequencies to operate in the Palestinian territories, the Palestinian telecommunications and economy minister said on Wednesday.

Kamal Hassouneh said Israel's Communications Ministry had no objection to
g
Advertisement
iving Wataniya, now controlled by Qatar Telecommunications Co, frequencies required to start operating a second Palestinian mobile phone network.

"We have been demanding that Israel grant the frequencies needed for
Wataniya for a long time. Israel gave its verbal consent," Hassouneh said, adding that Israel must grant frequencies under the Oslo peace accords.

There was no immediate comment from Wataniya in Ramallah.

A spokesman for Israel's Communications Ministry also had no immediate
comment.

Hassouneh said Wataniya was ready to start operating immediately after
getting the frequencies.

In December, Wataniya signed a deal with the Palestine Investment Fund
(PIF) to set up the firm. Under the deal, Wataniya will own 40 percent of the firm, while PIF will hold a 30 percent stake. The rest will be offered to Palestinian investors in an initial public offering.

In September, Wataniya was awarded the license to build and operate the
second Palestinian mobile telecommunications service, with a bid of 251
million Jordanian dinars ($354.3 million).

Wataniya had said the licence would allow for building and operating a GSM network and provide public mobile voice and data telecoms services in the Palestinian Territories. It would also provide for setting up and operating a high-speed third generation (3G) network.

Wataniya Telecom, the smaller of two mobile phone firms in Kuwait, has
operations in Iraq, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and the Maldives.

Related articles:
  • Israel won't budget cellular frequencies to Al-Wataniya
  • Holding on tight to the frequencies
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    A new America
    President Obama: U.S. is a friend of all nations, ready to lead again.
    Ignoring white flags
    Gazans claim some Palestinians were waving white flags when shot by IDF.
      1.   Under Oslo hahhhaa 19:25  |  Steven 24/10/07
      2.   oslo 22:13  |  oslo 24/10/07
      3.   I thought the Pals were really poor 23:12  |  SystemF 24/10/07
      4.   AREN"T the Pals all starving.How can the afford cell phones? 23:21  |  PETER S .M. 24/10/07
      5.   AREN"T the Pals all starving.How can the afford cell phones? 23:21  |  PETER S .M. 24/10/07
      6.   put bulleyes on those cell towers 00:13  |  vik 25/10/07
      7.   Steve#1 - Oslo Accords 00:29  |  William 25/10/07
      8.   cellphones 01:03  |  idiot 25/10/07
      9.   THEY NEED FREQUENCIES TO SET BOMBS OFF!!! 02:28  |  Mary Doves 25/10/07
      10.   captalism vs extremeism 12:29  |  potash katiftof 25/10/07
      11.   the Photo op 03:28  |  larzbeach 28/10/07
     Read & React
    The first day: President Obama to embrace role in meets on Iraq, economy
    Responses: 98
    Shai Golden: A strong, victorious Israel is far more likely to make peace
    Responses: 23
    IDF probes improper use of phosphorus shells in Gaza Strip
    Responses: 36
    Israeli Lebanon war film 'Waltz with Bashir' shown in Beirut
    Responses: 11
    Israeli human rights activists: Arrest Olmert, Livni, and Barak for war crimes
    Responses: 26


    More Headlines
    15:52 Report: Belgian court petitioned to arrest Livni upon arrival in Brussels
    15:03 Defense official: Fresh Hamas strikes will be met with even greater force
    15:18 Ramon: Israel need not fear Obama's plan to talk to Iran
    15:03 Iran urges Obama to change U.S. foreign policy in Mideast
    06:53 ANALYSIS / Aside from Iraq, Obama's plans for the Mideast are still vague
    15:57 President Obama summons defense officials for talks on U.S. wars
    14:24 Court: Rightist march in Arab town can be held after election
    15:16 Hamas: Israel must consider Shalit's fate after bombing Gaza
    04:11 IDF probes improper use of phosphorus shells in Gaza Strip
    07:06 ANALYSIS / Jordan's king is torn between U.S.-Egypt and Syria-Hamas axes
    12:22 Obama considering veteran troubleshooter George Mitchell as Mideast envoy
    14:54 Home Front Command training volunteer corps for future emergencies
    12:29 10 men arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing Tel Aviv teen
    10:53 India, Israel closing weapons deals worth $600 million
    12:23 Israeli human rights activists: Arrest Olmert, Livni, and Barak for war crimes
    15:17 Olmert to Ban: Probe into Gaza war devastation must take rocket damage into account, too
    07:30 Cheering on Obama in Israel: 'Finally getting America back'
    12:13 Israeli film on Lebanon War 'Waltz with Bashir' shown in Beirut
    13:53 ADL: Venezuela and Bolivia sending message that they side with Hamas
    07:33 Jewish World / Voldemort's sidekick turns Jewish psychiatrist in film on Nazi era
    13:00 Israeli coffee company using leftover beans as energy source
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    The best place for your children this summer
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved