Wataniya International (WI) has become a 38 per cent shareholder in Saudi Arabia’s Public Telecommunications Company (PTC) and will manage the operations of a digital trunked network utilising Motorola’s iDEN push-to-talk technology. PTC has a 15 year BOT, (Build, Operate, Transfer) contract with STC.

“This is an exciting time in our company’s evolution,” said Faisal Al-Ayyar, chairman of WI. “Part of our growth strategy has always been to identify technologies which will enhance our existing portfolio of wireless, voice and data services and by entering into this agreement with PTC the company continues to diversify its position in the Mena region and beyond. Saudi Arabia is a huge untapped market for telecommunications.”
iDEN provides the following key benefits:
• Integrates four services in one handset: two-way digital radio, digital wireless phone, messaging and data/fax capabilities leveraging Internet access technology
• Enhances Specialised Mobile Radio (ESMR) at 800 MHz frequency
• Offers more wireless communication services on less bandwidth
• Enhances Dispatch (one-to-one or one-to-many, two-way radio communications)
Wataniya International is responsible for leading the pursuit of global expansion opportunities, as well as leveraging technical, financial and commercial synergies within the Wataniya Telecom group of mobile operators.
Wataniya Telecom, commercially launched in December 1999, is part of Kuwait Projects Company (Kipco), and has been a driving force in increasing the mobile communications market in Kuwait to more than 70 per cent of the population.