Saturday, 29 July 2006
JEDDAH: Saudi Telecom Company (STC) announced that it has renewed its network sharing deal with Etisalat subsidiary Mobily for another three years, allowing Mobily customers to use their phones in areas of the Kingdom not yet covered.
STC President Saud Al-Dewish said the deal, a continuation of previous arrangements, will provide the Saudi telephone company roughly SR3 billion in revenue over the next three years, allowing the telecommunications company to diversify its revenue sources and expand its service network.The agreement allows Mobily to use the more-than 4,000 towers of STC's Al-Jawal network that cover smaller cities, villages and rural highways currently not covered by Mobily's network. The deal also allows Mobily customers to use STC's 700 service, toll-free 800 number business services, and the 9200 unified service linking common business lines to a single number.
Al-Dewish said the renewal of the network use agreement reflects Mobily's trust in STC's network. It also highlights STC's commitment to creating a vigorous competitive environment in the Kingdom.
STC has also signed a major agreement with three leading international telecommunications and information technology companies: TATA Consultancy Services (TCS), Convergys, and Oracle.
STC Chairman Mohammad Al-Jasir signed the agreement in a ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel at the Kingdom's Tower in Riyadh last Saturday.
The Oracle database project will help integrate customer care and billing applications with various corporate systems to enable STC expand services and discounts offered to its growing customer base. Additionally, it will help develop a database of all communications made with each individual customer.
"The new project will set up another milestone in the creation of additional communication channels with our customers, and rise to the challenge which will eventually have a positive impact on return on investment," Al-Jasir said.
© The Saudi Gazette 2006
