Mr. Ali AL Dahwi, CEO, Zain Iraq, says, “Gearing up to increase our network capacity meant that we first and foremost require a vendor who could integrate the two core networks in operation with us. Given our group’s long term strategic partnership with Nokia Siemens Networks and the personal dedication of the local team, they were in the best position to provide us a stable, reliable country-wide network at a significantly reduced operating expenditure.”

With eight million active customers, Zain Iraq, born out of the two most successful mobile operations in Iraq namely MTC Atheer and Iraqna who have been providing a wide range of mobile telephony and data services since early December 2003. Under the flagship Zain brand operating in 22 countries spread across Middle East and Africa (MEA), Zain Iraq hopes to consolidate its leadership and increase capacity as this core network upgrade will allow the operation to  serve 12 million customers.

Nokia Siemens Networks will execute the project over a period of 10 – 12 months building one of the largest mobile networks in the Middle East.

Jan Cron, Head of Middle East and Africa region for Nokia Siemens Networks said,  “Nokia Siemens Networks has proven time and again that it is a committed and valuable partner to the entire Zain group of companies. With Zain Iraq, our multi-vendor integration capabilities will enable them to reach out to an ever greater number of subscribers in as cost effective  manner as possible, thus fulfilling their mission of providing mobile services to the people of Iraq at highly affordable rates.”