Wataniya Telecom launches W-TV

Selected from more than 95,000 of Wataniya's customers which are actively using Wataniya's highly successful Action (MMS/GPRS) services, between 300 to 500 customers will be provided access on a trial basis over the next 90 days. The trial period will be used by Wataniya to measure customers' feedback on W-TV's content, look and feel prior to full commercial launch which will take place in early 2005.

"W-TV is the first of many services that will demonstrate the customers the benefits of EDGE technology. Customers will for the first time be able to watch live local camera as well as internationally branded TV content on their mobiles," says Andrei Torriani, Chief Product Development and technology officer, Wataniya Telecom. "During the trial period, live cameras installed throughout Kuwait will provide customers for the first time the ability to see what is happening at those locations directly on their mobiles. We are pleased to be working with Virgin Megastore in Marina Mall and other partners to demonstrate the content that can be accessed on Wataniya TV."

When commercially launched, W-TV service will be available to all users with EDGE and/or GPRS enabled handsets. Since its demonstration of video streaming services in February of this year, Wataniya has been actively rolling out EDGE throughout its network and today offers the most comprehensive EDGE coverage and highest mobile data and internet download speeds in Kuwait. Using EDGE's capabilities for high speed data transfer, the service will provide customers the ability to downloaded video clips of their favorite movies or music videos or connect to live streaming services offering live camera and channel options.