18 May 2006
Dubai: Etisalat and du the two UAE telecom operators will resolve their differences within ten days prior to the launch of the new network, a top telecom official said yesterday.
Mohammad Nasser Al Ganem, director-general of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), told Gulf News: "There are positive moves in the negotiations, especially after a meeting held between the CEOs of the two companies."
"We expect that Etisalat and du will sign an agreement in ten days," he added.
Al Ganem spoke about the new IT Fund during the Telecom Research Forum held yesterday by Etisalat University College, the TRA and Nokia.
"The fund will begin its activities after the announcement of its board trusties next week," said Al Ganem.
"One per cent of the revenues of the two telecom operators will go to the fund, and Dh130 million from Etisalat will be in the fund next week."
Meanwhile, Jamil Ahmad Al Mulla, Saudi minister for telecommunication and information technology said, his country will issue a third mobile licence this year.
"Our target is to have a third licence for operating mobile services in the Kingdom by 2007, as well as a second licence for operating fixed lines services."
"The procedures are currently underway, and the Telecommunications authority is at present working on the details of the matter, through seeking the various general opinions, and then the preparation of the necessary documents, to finally allow companies to forward their bids in accordance with the terms that are to be set, and in-line with the requirements of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the company that fulfils the terms and conditions will be awarded the license in order to be ready to provide the service by 2007."
"Saudi Arabia is committed to fully liberalise the telecomm sector by 2007, due to our commitments to the WTO."
By Mohammad Ezz Al Deen and Ahmad Ameen
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
