Zain Bahrain awards WiMax contract to Intracom

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Zain Bahrain, the Bahraini operator formerly known as MTC-Vodafone, has selected telecom solution supplier Intracom Middle East to deploy its new WiMax network.

The firm, part of Russian company's Sitronics telecom division, is to deploy a turn-key ISP network using WiMAX access technology to enable the operator to offer mobile, fixed and nomadic voice and data services.

Technology for the $10.2 million project will be supplied by networking giant Cisco for the ISP network and by Canadian vendor Redline Communications for the WiMax access.

The project is slated for completion by the end of this month.

"The launch of Zain's new wireless high-speed broadband internet is the next logical step in our service offering to the Kingdom, as Bahrain has always been the regional pioneer in the telecommunication services arena," said Zain Bahrain chief operating officer Dr Ahmed Al Shatti.

Zain Bahrain has offered mobile services in the Kingdom since December 2003. As of 30 June 2007, it had 257,000 subscribers and a 34% share in the mobile market.

Al Shatti said the operator chose Intracom based on the company's proven track record in implementing large-scale projects in the region.

The financial terms of Intracom's contract were not disclosed.

Zain Bahrain is part of the former MTC Group, which recently rebranded as Zain. The company operates under the Zain band in Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain and Sudan. In Iraq, it is currently known as MTC Atheer, in Lebanon as MTC Touch, and in 14 sub-Saharan countries in Africa as Celtel.

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