| 2008: Kalimat Telecom Announces Iraq Network Launch |
|
June 17, 2008 Kalimat Telecom on Monday announced the launch of its services in Iraq. Speaking at a press conference held at the Crowne Plaza on Monday, President and CEO of Kalimat, Wilson Varghese noted that the current network of Kalimat is one of the largest wireless networks ever undertaken by any operator across the Middle East. According to Varghese, Kalimat is offering the first 3.5 G telecom network in Iraq, even as it ushers the country into the most modern era of telecommunication. Varghese also noted that Kalimat is eyeing 25 percent Iraqi market share and that the company was facing some challenges concerning security related issues. As an experienced and reliable player in the telecommunication industry, he noted, Kalimat is determined to deliver a robust, powerful and efficient softswitch-based CDMA network, combined with the latest WiMAX technology which “will enable in offering our customers the state-of-the-art services.” Varghese observed that Kalimat has deployed latest, and future-proof network utilizing a wide-range networking products. Replying to a question, he said that Kalimat is planning to enter the Kuwaiti market to dispense services in the IP Television domain and added that talks in this regard were in progress but refused to divulge any details about the project. Among others who spoke at the event included: Stipho, Dr Abachi and Rezak. “We are officially underway and raring to take on the future through Iraq’s telecommunication requirements. With Kalimat, Iraq is witnessing a full-scale deployment of fixed wireless technology across the country, not just in urban clusters, but in remote areas as well,” he added. Equipped with a large array of products and services, Kalimat promises to introduce the latest telecom technologies to Iraq’s corporate world and residences, he added. Kalimat Telecom won the Iraq National WLL (Wireless Local Loop) License on Sept 6. Varghese took pride in the fact that a vast majority of the workers of Kalimat were Iraqi nationals and as a result the company was confident of succeeding in its venture in Iraq. Asked whether the company had any immediate expansion plans pertaining to the region, he opined that the company was focusing its efforts on the Iraqi market at the moment. “I thank everyone who was behind the launch — our devoted and efficient engineers, support staff, Huwei, the technology providers, research analysts, marketing and communication experts,” he added. “It was a huge step for Kalimat and regardless of the competition, Kalimat will succeed and so will Iraq. We all need to continue to work hard and pray that Kalimat continues to be successful and progresses towards becoming the most successful telecom provider in the future.” Varghese said Kalimat will serve not only the Iraqi household but also small medium and large enterprise market and that it aims to enter every home, business, government and non-government institution in Iraq and deliver five million CDMA and WiMAX lines of service by 2011. Kalimat is structured as a consortium of leading domain expertise vendors in global telecommunications market, especially in Iraq, and worldwide leaders in WLL operation and domain knowledge. Source: Arab Times |