Press Releases 2003
Iraq Connects To The World With GSM
Mobile Network
London; UK: 16 May 2003: The GSM Association
welcomes today’s news of the decision to build
a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network
in Iraq. The award of a contract to MCI clearly reflects
recognition by the US Government of the value of GSM
to Iraq’s integration with the rest of the region
and the world.
The GSM Association has been working with the US Government,
MCI and its suppliers to facilitate the rapid installation
and operation of the GSM network to provide immediate
support to reconstruction and humanitarian efforts
in Iraq.
Welcoming the announcement, Rob Conway, CEO of the
GSM Association and member of its board said: "We
are very pleased by this news, as we have been working
with the US Government and MCI to provide GSM, and
ensure that Iraq had the right technology for its people,
compatible with the rest of the region and the world."
"We stand ready to continue to support, assist
and do all we can to aid the further development of
Iraq’s mobile communications expansion," he
added.
There are already more than 60 million customers
in 20 countries in the Arab world and this decision
will help to ease Iraq’s re-assimilation into
the region. Iraq will eventually join a global GSM
wireless network with a community of almost one billion
customers, marking another stage in the end of the
isolation of the country and its people.
The GSM standard has grown exponentially since its
introduction and is today the world’s leading
global wireless standard. Indeed, since 1997, GSM has
seen a staggering 10 fold increase in its worldwide
customer base – across 195 countries of the world.
The decision to build a GSM network in Iraq means
that its people will soon be seamlessly connected to
neighbouring regions and the rest of the world.
"We must not underestimate the potential impact
of rebuilding the communications infrastructure for
the Iraqi people - the benefits will be immense in
both the short and long term," said Conway. "Whether
it’s helping the many humanitarian aid workers,
simply helping to reunite families and loved ones or
improving regional and international communications,
all of these benefits will help to boost the reconstruction
efforts, and aid economic and social recovery."
The news of the Iraqi GSM contract follows recent
news that the U.S military is to make a substantial
commitment to the standard by purchasing a number of
complete GSM systems that will be deployed at a number
of its establishments.
About the GSM Association:
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the world's leading wireless
industry representative body. It consists of more
than 542 second and third generation wireless network
operators and 136 key manufacturer and suppliers.
The GSMA’s members work collaboratively to
accelerate the implementation of collectively identified,
commercially prioritised operator requirements. The
Association’s members provide digital wireless
services to more than 848 million customers in 195
countries of the world (end April 2003).
The GSM family of wireless communications platforms,
including GSM, GPRS (General Packet Radio Services),
EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) and W-CDMA account
for approximately 72 percent of the total digital wireless
market today. The GSM Association is a unique organisation,
with truly global reach, offering a full range of business
and technical services to its members. For more information,
visit the website at www.gsmworld.com.
Contact Information:
Mark Smith
Communications Director
GSM Association
Tel: +44 207 518 0549
Fax: +44 207 518 0531
msmith@gsm.org
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