Wateen Telecom-Pakistan Selects Motorola 802.16e WiMAX Solution for Nationwide Network Deployment

VIENNA, Austria, May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WiMAX World Europe -- Motorola, Inc. today announced that it has been selected as primary supplier to Wateen Telecom, part of Warid Telecom International, to plan, design and deploy a nationwide wireless broadband voice and data network in Pakistan, with initial deployment to be completed by the second half of 2006. The Motorola solutions and integration services are the first step for Wateen to make Broadband Pakistan a reality and usher in a digital revolution, providing the access network, subscriber units, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core and services to quickly and cost-effectively connect the unconnected.

The 802.16e-based MOTOwi4 WiMAX access network and subscriber units will enable Wateen Telecom to offer broadband data services covering residential and corporate voice, Internet access, corporate IP virtual private network (VPN) and public hotspots.

Tariq Malik, Wateen Telecom, commented, "We are committed to deploying Pakistan's first nationwide network -- the largest 802.16e WiMAX network in the world with over one million users -- and to enabling access to a range of voice, Internet, data and value-added services via the network. This is an important milestone in realizing our vision of 'Broadband Pakistan' and eliminating the digital divide by providing coverage to areas that are currently underserved."

Malik added, "Motorola's global strength and unique approach provide us with a turnkey offering for VoIP and data services for both residential and corporate users. Motorola's IMS core solution will simplify service delivery, strengthening our current and future regional market position."

Integration with Motorola's IMS solution will enable Wateen Telecom to offer consumers voice services using VoIP (voice-over-IP) including enhanced residential voice features such as caller ID, voice mail and call forwarding. Differentiated services such as pre-paid and simple web-based subscriber account management are also included. For business customers, Wateen Telecom will offer a hosted VoIP solution with traditional business PBX and IP Centrex voice services such as conferencing, integrated with services that include find me/follow me and PC desktop integration.

Jose Figueroa, Motorola corporate vice-president and general manager of Motorola Networks, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America, said, "For emerging markets such as Pakistan, Motorola's ability to bypass legacy communication architectures and offer end-to-end integration services is very attractive. Motorola's integration services and WiMAX solutions are based on a cost-efficient business model which enables operators to quickly realize the large revenue potential of corporate as well as residential users. The ability to bring new services to market quickly and effectively is becoming increasingly important to operators especially those in high growth markets."

A portion of purchase price will be financed by Motorola. About Wateen

Wateen Telecom is the Abu Dhabi Group's latest communication investment in Pakistan. After the successful launch of Warid Telecom in Pakistan which provides mobile GSM services to over 4.0 million customers, in under 1 year of launch, Wateen Telecom was set up to become the leading "Carrier's Carrier" in Pakistan providing quality, reliability and affordability in the communication sector bringing the next generation services at customer's doorstep ... today! By virtue of its 5000+ KM long haul optical fiber, metro optical fibre rings and FTTX, wireless broadband network, data centres and tele-housing facilities, Wateen offers total communication solutions including domestic and international voice services, video conferencing/video telephony, true broadband Internet and data connectivity, DVD quality TV viewing and VAS such as Video security and surveillance and Interactive gaming, for corporate, business and residential customers. Wateen also provides telecom infrastructure to cable, cellular, ISPs, calling card and payphone partner companies. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.wateen.com/ .

About Motorola

Motorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our vision of Seamless Mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you get and stay connected simply and seamlessly to the people, information, and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $36.8 billion in 2005. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit http://www.motorola.com/ .

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