Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011
DUBAI (Zawya Dow Jones)--Saudi Arabia's Etihad Etislat, or Mobily, has launched Long-term Evolution, or LTE, services as it looks for new ways to tap the rampant growth in data traffic from smart phones.
Mobily, the Saudi-based unit of Emirates Telecommunications Corp. (ETISALAT.AD), is launching TD-LTE, a form of 4G service, through its subsidiary Bayanat al oula.
The first phase of coverage includes cities such as Najran, Jazan, Al Kharj, and Ras tanoura, which will be followed in two weeks time in Hail, Al Baha and Wadi Al Dawasir. A launch in bigger cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah and Damamm is seen by mid-October.
"[The] targeted areas for 4G coverage shall exceed 32 cities and towns representing 85% of the populated areas in Saudi Arabia," Mobily said in an emailed statement.
"[4G] is an added value to the data users as it offers unprecedented high speed services without the hassle of technical set up and installation," said Khaled Al Kaf, Mobily's chief executive officer and managing director.
In July, Mobily posted a 29% jump in second quarter profit, citing an increase in the number of subscribers, including post-paid and smart phone users.
Mobily shares closed Tuesday down 0.5% at SAR53.
-By Shereen El Gazzar, Dow Jones Newswires; +971 444 61684; Shereen.elgazzar@dowjones.com
Copyright (c) 2011 Dow Jones & Co.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
14-09-11 0609GMT
