Alcatel and Orascom start GSM in Iraq

French telecom major Alcatel and Egypt's Orascom Telecom have launched the first commercial GSM network in the central region of Iraq, including Baghdad.

The contract is part of the Global Frame Arrangement between the two.

In the frame of the contract signed last September with Orascom, Alcatel is one of the major suppliers of this new network. The first phase of the network installation started in October and on November 25 Alcatel succeeded in making the first phone call on the new network. Orascom hopes to get one million subscribers in two years.

"Alcatel has proven to be a very flexible and supportive partner of Orascom Telecom. With the full support of Alcatel we have been able to meet this new challenge and provide enhanced GSM services to the Iraqi people in record time," said Naguib Sawiris, chairman of Orascom.

"The new contract reflects a significant milestone in our partnership with Orascom Telecom," said Marc Rouanne, chief operating officer of Alcatel's mobile communications activities.