4 million mobile customers in Jordan and Palestine to benefit from local voice and data pricing plus free incoming calls when crossing respective borders

'One Network' connectivity to other Zain operations to follow soon

Amman, January 25th 2010 - Zain and Palestine Communications Group (Paltel) announce the launch of the groundbreaking 'One Network' service between Jordan and Palestine, serving over 4 million mobile customers in both countries. 'One Network' provides all Zain customers to be billed as local clients for voice and data services and receive free incoming calls when traveling to any country covered by the Zain network. The move will see Paltel's mobile service, Jawwal, join the service initially on February 1, 2010 with Zain Jordan only at this stage and eventually it is planned to expand the connection to all other 22 Zain 'One Network' countries across the Middle East and Africa.

The memorandum of understanding was signed in the presence of Jordan's Minister of Information and Communication Technology HE Marwan Jumaa, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, and CEO of the Jordanian Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Ahmad Hiasat, Zain Group CEO Dr. Saad Al Barrak, Chairman of Paltel Group Sabeeh al-Masri, CEO of Zain Jordan Dr. Abdel-Malek Al-Jaber, Paltel Group acting CEO Kamal Abu-Khadijeh, Jawwal General Manager Ammar al-Eker and a number of senior Zain Jordan Executives.

Dr. Al-Barrak described 'One Network' as an unstoppable reality in the world of telecommunications. "Once again, we are redefining the notion of mobile telecommunication coverage, making roaming services accessible to all. In doing so, we are fulfilling our brand promise of 'A wonderful world'."  

Mr Al Masri said that the agreement demonstrates the commitment from both sides to increase cooperation and offer the best services to customers Jordan, the West Bank and Gaza. "We are on the threshold of a new era, providing value-added services with a regional dimension," he declared. "Today, starting with Jordan, we can one-day soon envisage serving more than 10 million Palestinians all over the Zain 'One Network' in the Middle East and afar."

Mr Abu-Khadijeh was equally upbeat about the development and stressed the value aspect of the arrangement. "As of February 1, Jawwal customers in the Gaza Strip can stay in touch with their relatives in Jordan through 'One Network', at rates that are more competitive than any comparable international tariff."

Dr. Abdel-Malek Al-Jaber said the details of the benefits of the 'One Network' will be announced when the full service is launched commercially on Feburary 1, 2010. "We planned meticulously to launch this service. We are confident it will have been worth the wait as we envisage enormous economic and social benefits to the people of both countries."

-Ends-

About Zain
Zain is a leading telecommunications operator across the Middle East and Africa providing mobile voice and data services to over 70 million active customers as at 30 September, 2009 with a commercial presence in 23 countries.

Zain operates in the following countries: Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In Lebanon, the company manages 'mtc-touch' on behalf of the government. In Morocco, Zain owns 31% of Wana Telecom through a joint venture.

Zain offers innovative services in its markets such as 'One Network', the world's first borderless mobile telecommunications network enabling customers when abroad to receive calls and sms without charge and to make voice and data calls at local rates throughout 22 countries in Africa and the Middle East. This service allows a customer to top up airtime in their home country or from more than 1,000,000 outlets within Zain's 'One Network' footprint.

The Zain brand is wholly owned by Mobile Telecommunications Company KSC, which is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (Stock ticker: ZAIN). Zain is listed in the Financial Times' Global 500 Index which ranks the world's largest companies based on market capitalization (http://www.ft.com/reports/ft5002008). Zain aims to become one of the top ten mobile operators in the world by end of the year 2011. For more, please visit www.zain.com  or email info@zain.com

© Press Release 2010