Wataniya Palestine sets 15 Sept’09 for spectrum allocation resolution

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Wataniya Palestine has reportedly issued a deadline to release frequencies it needs to launch commercial services. It was in September 2006 that the operator was awarded 2G and 3G licences for the Palestinian Territories. Due to the delays in obtaining the spectrum, Wataniya has issued a deadline of 15 September 2009. The operator claims that the frequencies it has been issued are not enough to launch services, and in a statement it said: ‘In the event that minimum radio spectrum is not allocated to meet the launch schedule, Wataniya Mobile must pursue remedies which may include demands for refund of its licence fee payment and other damages.’
The demand for reimbursement of its licence fee is consistent with Wataniya’s standpoint on the matter in June 2009, when it said it would seek to recover any investment made in the region, including the costs of all installed equipment, estimated at USD200.
The Palestinian minster of communications, Mashour Abu Daqqa, has indicated that if Wataniya does pursue financial compensation the Palestinian authority will ask international powers to call on Israel to cover the costs; the delay in allocating spectrum allegedly stems from the refusal by the Israeli Ministry of Communication to release the needed frequencies.