Zain’s One Network steps up to 3G

Zain yesterday launched high speed data access across its One Network platform, allowing its travelling customers across the Middle East and East Africa to use 3G services without paying additional roaming surcharges.

The service has been initially launched separately within the Middle East and East Africa networks with cross-continent connectivity planned for later this year. Both prepaid and postpaid subscribers will be able to access Internet, email, MMS and BlackBerry services at local rates when crossing geographic borders.

Zain said it is the first mobile operator in the world to introduce cross-border local, GRX-based data access, which offers faster speeds and more cost effective rates than traditional Internet roaming.

“The benefits and synergies of having one brand are taking shape as we deliver and fulfil our promise to be first, daring and different,” stated Saad Al Barrak, Zain Group CEO.

It is anticipated that Kuwait will join the Middle East One Network with 3G access by the end of this month, with the rest of the operator’s African subsidiaries served by One Network gaining access to high-speed roaming over the course of this year.