Muscat 12th July, 2005

Nawras, Oman's new leading mobile operator, announced at a press conference organised yesterday at the Grand Hyatt Muscat the official launch of their EDGE data service. The press conference was held under the patronage of H.E. Mohsin bin Khamis Al-Balushi Adviser at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry attended by senior members of business community in Oman.

Speaking at the event Ross Cormack, Nawras CEO, said, "We are extremely pleased to announce today another Nawras first. Today is the official launch of the fastest mobile date service in the Sultanate known as the EDGE data service. We are proud that Nawras as the leading mobile innovator in the Sultanate is the only operator to provide this service to mobile customers in Oman. The Nawras network is the latest generation mobile network in the Sultanate abd supports 2.75G features and services. Having an EDGE-enabled network means that we are able to deliver high speed internet access to customers on the move. Nawras continues to set the standards, delivering best service, best quality and best value to the people of Oman".

He added, "The greatest single advantage of EDGE for customers is that they can browse the web and enjoy fast information access at their fingertips completely wire-free. Whether for business or pleasure you are always closer to e-information with Nawras."

At the press conference Mr. Cormack highlighted how easy it is for customers to become EDGE users, explaining "all you need is to be a nawras Ajel (postpaid) customer, have a laptop and an EDGE PC Card and you can connect to the internet remotely anywhere Nawras have coverage in the Sultanate."

A breathtaking live test was conducted in front of all guests and journalists at the press conference showing various activities to highlight how much faster EDGE service can be compared with the existing GPRS mobile data technology. The Nawras test demonstrated the data speed customers can browse the internet and with an independent site's Bandwidth Meter compared the Nawras EDGE connection against top DSL, cable modem, and other broadband services. Live examples were shown including downloading the Muscat Security Markets weekly shares report and viewing videos clips. In all the tests EGDE provided a far superior access speed upto three times faster than GPRS.

Mr. Peter Andersson Ericsson Country Manager commented, "EDGE is the next bid step after GPRS into the mobile high speed data era. With EDGE you can feel the real mobility and you can be online wherever Nawras coverage is. EDGE allows consumers to connect remotely to the internet and to send and receive data, including digital images, web pages and photographs, three times faster than is possible with an ordinary GSM/GPRS network. EDGE enables operators, like Nawras, to offer higher-speed mobile data access and serve more mobile-data customers. Ericsson is the leading company in the field and is very happy to contribute with Nawras in the development of Oman is telecommunications."

Mr. Cormack concluded "Whether you are indoors or outdoors, you can enjoy being connected wire-free to the internet with Nawras EDGE. It is easy, affordable and backed by our best Nawras service and we are offering a great deal today. Sign up now for free internet access up to 1GB per month from 16th July up to 30th September and feel the speed "

The Nawras offer is for just OR99 and includes a nawras Ajel Sim card and a Sony Ericsson PC Card. The offer is from 16th July to 30th September 2005 and is available at all Nawras Stores. For further information related to EDGE data service can be received by calling the Nawras Customer Service on 1500 or by visiting the website www.nawras.com.om. Since Nawras launched its commercial service, the people of Oman have experienced a higher standard of mobile communications because of Nawras's many Firsts in the Sultanate. With the official launch of the EDGE data service Nawras is underling its leading market position as the new leading mobile operator in the Sultanate.

-Ends-

Notes to Editor:
Nawras was awarded the license to compete as Oman's newest mobile operator provider and launched its services on the 16th March 2005. Nawras is a joint venture between Qtel, TDC and prominent Omani partners. Qtel is the exclusive telecommunications provider in Qatar and is one of the largest public companies in the country with around 1,900 employees. TDC is Denmark's leading telecommunications company and manages a range of significant international telecommunications operations across 14 European countries. The Omani partners provides crucial local knowledge and contacts which are essential for the company's operation as well as set-up.

For further information please contact:
Mr. Haitham Al Kharusi,
Head of Corporate Affairs
Nawras
Tel:  +968 24584000
Mobile: +968 95103699
e-mail:  haitham.al-kharusi@nawras.com.om

© Press Release 2005