Palestinian firms plan to finally offer 3G mobile service

AFP, RAMALLAH: Palestinian mobile firms in the occupied West Bank hope to finally be able to offer 3G service to customers beginning today, years after much of the rest of the world began using it.

Talks on 3G mobile have long dragged on, with Israel having previously blocked Palestinian mobile companies’ access to the necessary frequencies.

There were still concerns final arrangements would not be completed in time, with officials saying they were awaiting a final technical step from Israel.

“Everything is ready and we left it to telecom companies to choose the right times, and they said it will be Tuesday morning,” Palestinian deputy telecommunications minister Suleiman Al-Zuheiri told the news agency on Sunday.

“We are launching this service, which is a big achievement, but we are launching it 12 years late.”

The service will be available only in the West Bank for now and not the blockaded Gaza Strip. Al-Zuheiri said mobile companies are waiting for Israeli approval to bring equipment into Gaza.

 

Palestinian firms plan to finally offer 3G mobile service

AFP, RAMALLAH: Palestinian mobile firms in the occupied West Bank hope to finally be able to offer 3G service to customers beginning today, years after much of the rest of the world began using it. Talks on 3G mobile have long dragged on, with Israel having previously blocked Palestinian mobile companies access to the necessary frequencies. There were still concerns final arrangements would not be completed in time, with officials saying they were awaiting a final technical step from Israel. Everything is ready and we left it to telecom companies to choose the right times, and they said it will be Tuesday morning, Palestinian deputy telecommunications minister Suleiman Al-Zuheiri told the news agency on Sunday. We are launching this service, which is a big achievement, but we are launching it 12 years late. The service will be available only in the West Bank for now and not the blockaded Gaza Strip. Al-Zuheiri said mobile companies are waiting for Israeli approval to bring equipment into Gaza.