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Zain Iraq, the country's leading mobile operator has signed p Nokia Siemens Networks in a US $150 million contract to increase capacity while also simplifying and modernizing its existing core network.

Nokia Siemens Networks will unify the technologies and bring them under Nokia Siemens Networks portfolio, thus assuming responsibility for Zain Iraq's Core, Intelligent Network and Value Added Services elements of the network.

Mr. Ali AL Dahwi, CEO, Zain Iraq, says, "Gearing up to increase our network capacity meant that we first and foremost require a vendor who could integrate the two core networks in operation with us. Given our group's long term strategic partnership with Nokia Siemens Networks and the personal dedication of the local team, they were in the best position to provide us a stable, reliable country-wide network at a significantly reduced operating expenditure."

With eight million active customers, Zain Iraq, born out of the two most successful mobile operations in Iraq namely MTC Atheer and Iraqna who have been providing a wide range of mobile telephony and data services since early December 2003.

Under the flagship Zain brand operating in 22 countries spread across Middle East and Africa (MEA), Zain Iraq hopes to consolidate its leadership and increase capacity as this core network upgrade will allow the operation to serve 12 million customers. Nokia Siemens Networks will execute the project over a period of 10 - 12 months building one of the largest mobile networks in the Middle East.

Jan Cron, Head of Middle East and Africa region for Nokia Siemens Networks said, "Nokia Siemens Networks has proven time and again that it is a committed and valuable partner to the entire Zain group of companies. With Zain Iraq, our multi-vendor integration capabilities will enable them to reach out to an ever greater number of subscribers in as cost effective manner as possible, thus fulfilling their mission of providing mobile services to the people of Iraq at highly affordable rates."

Nokia Siemens Networks believes that the future of the communications industry lies in understanding and uniting communities. Driven by a desire to have 5 billion people connected by 2015, Nokia Siemens Networks will have an unparalleled capability to deliver 'end-to-end' convergent solutions based on a broad portfolio of fixed and mobile infrastructure products, services and devices.

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