Zain Group holds its yearly summit in Jordan

The summit, attended by 500 personnel in 22 countries spanning the Middle East and Africa, was held in Jordan for the first time.

During the event, Group CEO Dr. Saad Al Barrak presented the Group's plans and future strategy. In addition to that, guest of honor Neil Armstrong, the world's first person to land on the moon, spoke of his special experience which presented a turning point in world history. Armstrong's speech linked to Zain's future strategy which aims to become one of the top ten mobile groups in the world by 2011.

The meeting is held in Jordan for the first time since the Zain's group's acquisition of the Jordan operation in 2003. The acquisition was the first of the company's steps towards globalization which now includes 22 countries and over 56 million customers.

In January 2007, the Group launched the ACE (Acceleration, Consolidation, Expansion) strategy to realize its 3x3x3 vision of becoming a top-ten global mobile operator by 2011.

During the event, Zain General manager Dr. Ahmad Al Shatti announced the company's plans to invest JD 100 million over the next few months to expand its network and finalize the buildup of its Fiber optics network as well as launch new services.

Al Shatti added that the company is focused on investing in connecting its various sites and locations with its Fiber optics network in order to boost its infrastructure, increase its capacity, and be well prepared for future evolution in telecommunications technologies. This, in turn, will contribute to strengthening Jordan's overall infrastructure, positively reflecting on the country's investment setting, as well as attracting potential investors.

Al Shatti added that the fiber Optics Network will pave the way for introducing the latest transport technologies and advanced broadband services including voice, data and internet services, to be offered through mobile phones.

Al Shatti also announced that the company began the trial period of the new fourth generation WiMax E-version service for the first time in Jordan. The service will be delivered through end-to-end Motorola WiMAX solution, delivered by Mada; a consortium between XOL Jordan and Zain Group.

The fourth generation WiMax wireless internet services, to be formally launched in the market soon, is considered the fastest wireless internet service offered to date, with a speed of 2 MB per second.