Al Mazaya Telecommunications Selects VeriSign's PrePay Solution to Serve its CDMA Network in Iraq
VeriSign® PrePayIN(TM) Expands to Subscribers in the Middle East
3GSM WORLD CONGRESS, BARCELONA, Feb. 13, 2007 - VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq:
VRSN), the leading provider of digital infrastructure for the networked world, today announced that Iraqi based Al Mazaya Telecommunications chose VeriSign PrePayIN to support its prepay service in Iraq. The new service, which is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2007, is the first installation of PrePayIN in the Middle East.
"VeriSign PrePayIN allows us to launch feature-rich prepay wireless service to Iraq and provide a superior customer experience to millions of users," said Mr. Alaa Sami Kazim, Chairman of Al Mazaya Telecommunications. "In addition to enabling us to compete in the growing Iraqi prepay market by offering next-generation services, this solution allows us to accurately bill customers in real-time."
Al Mazaya Telecommunications will use PrePayIN rating flexibility to deliver targeted plans for voice and short message services (SMS), popular in the Middle East. The real-time billing will provide customers with detailed, up-to-date usage information and account status. The service will also allow carriers to bill for new services, including next-generation content and data services such as streaming video, file transfer and multimedia message services (MMS).
"For service providers to expand into new markets and grow their subscriber base, they must be able to offer accurate billing services combined with content that customers demand," said Kevin Bresnahan, director, VeriSign Prepaid Product Management. "Our solution allows Al Mazaya Telecommunications to expand into its target market of Iraq and offer more services and plans that can be rated, billed and delivered -- anywhere, anytime."
The prepaid market has experienced steady growth in the Middle East.
According to the Yankee Group's recent report, "Global Mobile Premium Forecast, September 2006," total prepaid market revenue is forecasted to grow from 1.7 million Euros in 2003 to over 6.9 million Euros by the year 2010.
VeriSign's current prepay services support more than 30 million subscribers worldwide. VeriSign offers one of the world's broadest and most comprehensive portfolio of next-generation communications, commerce and content solutions.
About Al Mazaya Telecommunications
Al Mazaya Telecommunications is an Iraqi based company holding a license from ITPC of Iraq to operate CDMA networks in Iraq. Al Mazaya Telecommunications is a joint venture of Al Manara Overseas LLC from Dubai and Al-Mal Investment Group from Kuwait. The joint venture is in the process of establishing its head-office operations in Dubai under the name of Al Mazaya Star Telecom.
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), operates intelligent infrastructure services that enable and protect interactions across voice and data networks anytime, from anywhere, on multiple devices. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com.
For More Information
VeriSign Media Relations:
Lisa Malloy,
lmalloy@verisign.com,
+1 571 230 7216
VeriSign Media Relations:
Victoria Henry,
vhenry@verisign.com,
+44 20 8600 0723
