Zain Saudi Arabia awards Motorola $335 mln 2G/3G contract

Motorola, Inc. has signed a $335 mln turnkey contract to deploy and manage a 2G/3G mobile communications network for Zain in Saudi Arabia, the recent addition to the Zain group.

Motorola will supply its GSM/HSxPA network solutions as well as comprehensive managed services for network design, integration, deployment, operations and maintenance.  This contract brings Zain’s technology preparations and infrastructure requirements another step closer to the planned launch of services in the first half of this year.

Network deployment is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2008 to enable Zain to launch its network in Saudi Arabia on schedule and allow Zain’s Saudi customers to enjoy high-speed mobile Internet access and a range of mobile multi-media applications and services.

“Motorola has been a key technical and strategic solution provider to Zain (formerly the MTC Group) for the last 14 years. Motorola’s cost-effective GSM solutions and managed services are designed to enable Zain to meet its launch timelines while reducing its operational costs which, unless managed effectively, can be quite significant,” said Ali Amer, vice president sales, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, Motorola Home & Networks Mobility.

Mobile Telecommunications Company Saudi Arabia (Zain in Saudi Arabia), a Saudi joint stock company was formed to operate a mobile telecoms business in Saudi Arabia under the terms of the third mobile operating licence awarded in July 2007.  The founding shareholders comprise established Saudi and international companies including Zain Group.  Upon completion of its SR 7 billion initial public offering (IPO), the company plans to commence operations as Zain in the Kingdom in the first half of 2008.

Key elements of the services planned to include classic, value-added voice messaging and data services, as well as multimedia applications, such as video calling and content services, including ring tones, sports updates, news quotes, games and facilities.