RIYADH, 7 July 2005 — A new specialized wireless operator made its debut on the Saudi market on Tuesday night. The launch of the business communications network, offering new and powerful communications solutions for the Kingdom and the Gulf states opened under the brand name Bravo. It was launched at a high-profile function by the newly established SR750 million Public Telecommunications Co. (PTC).
Among those present were Ziad Shatara, Bravo’s CEO, Sultan Najr Al-Otaibi, managing director of PTC, and Bill Soucy, vice-president, Global Initiatives Group, which coordinates with senior international cellular providers.
With this, the Kingdom becomes the first in the Arab Gulf region to provide a public national network that uses the state-of-the art “walkie talkie” and telephone technology in one handset.
The launch of such a service through the PTC is expected to boost the productivity of both the private and public sectors, and provide a fast and efficient service that would enable an individual or a group to communicate by means of wireless radio technology.
Bravo’s network is operated by PTC under a 15-year BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) agreement with Saudi Telecom. Its other shareholders include Nasco, Wataniya International and Ali A. Tamimi Co.
Built on iDEN technology, the system is designed to meet the needs of customers who want multiple services in a single handset by providing access to an instantaneous, secure, and cost effective mobile communications network.
Shatara said, “iDEN technology is already being utilized by an estimated 19 operators with more than 25 million subscribers globally, and its positive impact on businesses has been remarkable.”
In addition to specialized business communication tools, the wireless network also offers cellular services such as voice, SMS, local and long-distance calling, data and internet access and call handling. Its Push to View allows users to take pictures and send them instantly - to one or many users. Other features include: Push to Talk; Integrated telephone interconnect (for individuals and vehicles); Packet data (for sales representatives working away from their office). Al-Otaibi affirmed that the company remains committed to the Saudization policy. Young Saudis have been recruited for training programs which will be undertaken by companies importing the system’s components. Today, Saudi employees make up 51 percent of the total workforce in the company.
“We are looking forward to offering this service to the Saudi market, which will have a positive impact on streamlining the service offered by the public and private sectors to the citizens and residents, reduce the flow of heavy traffic in our main city streets, and check air pollution,” he added.
Providing an overview of their plan, Al-Otaibi said Bravo’s network, would be started in three phases. The first phase has already begun with coverage of the following areas: Makkah, Medina, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Dhahran, including the Makkah - Jeddah highway. The next two phases will see more cities and highways covered and set the stage for Kingdom-wide coverage.
As for the current status, the basic infrastructure for this project has almost been completed, while the service is expected to become operational within a few weeks in the Western and Eastern Provinces, where the project is to be launched in two phases.
He said that during the first phase the service would be activated in the main cities, and during the second phase it would be extended to other provinces and highways.
