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The first commercial 3G network in the Middle East will be supplied by Siemens and will start in early 2004: in less than six months, MTC-Vodafone wants to offer its customers in Bahrain personalized messages, animated chat, video-streaming, and multimedia messaging for their mobile phones. The network will be built completely new and will encompass mobile technologies from GSM to W-CDMA from the Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group (Siemens mobile). With this 22nd 3G agreement, Siemens is further expanding its worldwide position as a top 3G supplier.

In early 2004 the MTC-Vodafone network in Bahrain will usher in the new age of 3G to the Middle East. Siemens mobile and its partner NEC are providing the network infrastructure for the new network, which encompasses everything from GSM to W-CDMA, including GPRS and EDGE technologies. Starting in early 2004 MTC-Vodafone will be able to offer its customers a wide variety of new applications, including personalized messages and home pages, multimedia messaging, animated chat, video-streaming, and multimedia shopping.

In Kuwait, MTC-Vodafone and Siemens have already been working together for ten years. The good experience with reliable Siemens technology and its good worldwide reputation as a 3G supplier were decisive for winning this contract. Being the first to set up a 3G mobile network in the Middle East also underlines Siemens' strong position in this region.

"We are confident that the partnership between MTC-Vodafone and Siemens will provide a telecommunication showcase in the Middle East", said Karl-Christoph Caselitz, President of Networks within the Siemens Information and Communication Mobile Group. "3G from Siemens in Bahrain underlines our goal to be the first choice as a mobile network supplier worldwide - fast and reliable."

"This contract between MTC-Vodafone and Siemens is based on our strong partnership which began in 1994 with the inception of our GSM services for MTC in Kuwait. Through understanding the specificities of our region, Siemens is well positioned to support us in achieving our vision. The introduction of third generation technology in Bahrain puts MTC-Vodafone and the Middle East on a par with Europe," said Dr. Saad Al Barrak, Director General of MTC-Vodafone.