GSM Association Press Releases 2007
Best Roaming Rates in Arab World now available via New Website
23th April
2007 - London: Mobile operators in the Arab world have today launched a website highlighting roaming tariffs within the countries of the region, which was unveiled at the Arab Regulators Network (ARNET) meeting in Abu Dhabi. Mobile customers in the region will now be able to log on to http://roaming.gsmaw.org to find the best tariffs for making and receiving calls and text messages when they are travelling outside their home country.
This website, which is available in Arabic and English, contains roaming tariffs from 20 operators in the Arab world and is currently being expanded to include tariff information from more mobile operators in the region. Supported by the GSM Association, the website marks the second initiative in an ongoing drive by Arab operators to improve transparency, following the adoption in December 2006 of the 'Code of Conduct for information on international roaming retail prices' by 24 operators.
The website contains a search engine that allows customers to easily find out what it will cost them to make and receive a two minute call at peak times, as well as the cost of sending a text message, when roaming outside their home country. This is the first website of its type in the Arab world and the tariff information will be frequently updated.
"After discussions with regulators in the region, we are pleased to unveil a new initiative to improve the transparency of roaming tariffs," said Bisher Mouhanna, Chairman of GSM Arab World, which represents GSM operators in the region. "The industry is committed to offering customers easy ways to find out what it will cost to make and receive calls when travelling within the Arab region and this new website takes us a step closer in achieving this outcome."
Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, Director General and Board Member of TRA-UAE, Chairman of ARNET (Arab Regulators Network) said: "The creation of the GSMAW roaming website is an important step for the mobile industry and we welcome the opportunity to work further with industry on initiatives that benefit consumers."
Notes to editors:
The website is based on a similar site launched by European operators in 2006. The address for that site is: www.roaming.gsmeurope.org
About the GSM Association:
The GSM Association (GSMA) is the global trade association representing 700 GSM mobile phone operators across 217 countries of the world. In addition, more than 180 manufacturers and suppliers support the Association's initiatives as key partners.
The primary goals of the GSMA are to ensure mobile phones and wireless services work globally and are easily accessible, enhancing their value to individual customers and national economies, while creating new business opportunities for operators and their suppliers. The Association's members serve more than two billion customers - 82% of the world's mobile phone users.
For more information please contact:
For the GSM Association:
Mark Smith or David Pringle
Email:press@gsm.org
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