RIYADH: Etihad Atheeb Telecommunication Co. (GO) and Motorola, Inc. yesterday launched a new nationwide WiMAX 802.16e network in the Kingdom.
Atheeb, the second designated landline operator in the Kingdom, will offer wireless broadband services, including voice and high-speed data, to customers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) across the Kingdom.
Under this service, Atheeb customers will enjoy a convergence of voice, video and data services on their WiMAX personal communication devices. “Atheeb’s GO service is designed to offer businesses and consumers an opportunity to experience a nationwide 4G broadband network that offers higher speeds, lower cost and greater connectivity,” Dr. Ahmed Abbas Sindi, chief executive officer of Etihad Atheeb, said.
“There is a huge appetite among Saudi customers for high-speed communications, an appetite that can now be satisfied through the nationwide WiMAX network. Motorola is delighted to work with Atheeb to deliver the network and allow it to provide broadband services and enriched personal media experiences to users across the Kingdom,” said Ali Amer, vice president, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, Motorola Home and Networks Mobility.
Deployment of the network started in 2008, and includes Motorola’s WAP 800 access point, featuring smart antenna technology (beamforming), including end-to-end delivery of network planning, installation, optimization and support services. The Motorola WiMAX equipment ensures peak performance of fixed and nomadic voice and data services to residential and enterprise customers.
Etihad Atheeb was selected from among ten applicants for a fixed telecoms license in 2007 and received the Royal Decree in March. The company is now preparing for a widely anticipated IPO that will enable people in the Kingdom to invest in this venture.
