Al Jawal Introduces 3G Service Commercially

Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has announced the launch of 3G, having started testing the service in 2005. STC’s Al Jawal mobile operation plans to roll out the largest 3G network in the Middle East and will activate a full service including: voice and video calls, live TV and HSDPA technology, running at speeds of up to 1.5Mbps. The operator already has over 3,000 customers testing and using the service.

Five hundred base stations are fully operational in 20 cities across the kingdom with a further 460 new base stations going live in the coming weeks, which will further enhance the coverage. Al Jawal plans to deliver 100% coverage in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam, and subscribers will be able to obtain and register for the service over the phone, at call centres and online. [3G!]

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