Zain launches 3G in Jordan

Zain Jordan has officially launched 3G HSPA+ technology. The operator says the mobile broadband service will be offered at competitive prices tailored for various customer needs with speeds of up to 21 Mbps.

The new services will target all customer bases, whether individuals, companies or institutions and will be introduced with a variety of offers and products at competitive prices to suit the different needs of its consumers.

“Zain had set aside JD 120 million (US$169 million) to invest prior to launching HSPA+. Today, the Zain network is able to offer high speed Internet services which can reach up to 21 Mbps during phase one, and up to 42 Mbps in the near future,” said Zain’s Network Department director Youssef Abu Mutawe.

“The new network will cover around 97 per cent of Jordan’s populated area” Mutawe added. The number of HSPA+ base stations has reached 1,000, covering the whole kingdom as well as the main highways.

This launch of HSPA+ technology in Jordan complements Zain Group’s previous launch of similar 3G services across several of its other regional country operations of Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.

Zain becomes the second operator in Jordan to launch 3G after Orange, which had its one-year exclusivity on the technology end in the middle of February.