Posted on 08/05/2003 7:48:32 AM PDT by chance33_98
Israeli firm wins public telephone contract in Iraq
Iridium Satellite Israel is supplying Iraq with public telephones worth four to five million dollars. The global satellite voice and data communication provider was authorized last month by the office of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) to sell its mobile satellite communications services, subscriber terminals, and related equipment in Iraq.
According to CEO of Iridium Satellite Israel Ami Schneider, the order was placed by a Jordanian company, reported Globes. The company also plans to market several thousands of mobile telephones in Iraq.
Israel’s Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu signed a general permit late last month authorizing trade with Iraq. The new agreement normalizes commercial and financial ties between the two countries, marking the Jewish state’s recognition of Iraq as a hostile-free nation.
Israeli companies can now trade and invest in Iraq without facing any sanctions from the government. A group of Israeli industrial representatives reportedly made a trip to Baghdad this past June in order to scope out business opportunities related to the reconstruction effort.
Iridium Satellite Israel is a subsidiary of the privately held corporation Iridium Satellite. The company acquired the assets of the Iridium company in December of 2000. It is a provider of global satellite voice and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth. Through a constellation of 66 low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites operated by the Boeing Company, Iridium delivers communication services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available.
Iridium currently provides service to the US Department of Defense under a multi-year contract. Iridium Satellite Israel is owned by Iridium Satellite Solutions' regional operators in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Eastern Europe, and East Africa, and a group of investors headed by Schneider. — (menareport.com)
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