Coalition plans wireless system in Iraq

A DoD official spoke today about coalition plans to let contracts for a cellular phone system and to reconstruct the telecommunications system in Iraq. Linton Wells II, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for networks and information integration, told Pentagon reporters that the cell phone system could be up and running by November.

Telecommunications systems support all ongoing reconstruction efforts in Iraq: security, restoration of essential services, government, economy and the internationalization of the coalition effort. Iraq has never had a cell phone network, Wells said. The former regime put in 320 cell phone towers, but never followed through with service. DoD officials said the winning bidders may build off any of the old facilities in their regions. "The objective is to return the Iraqi telecommunications system to its pre-war activity to enable government operations, but also ? to introduce advanced technologies," Wells said.

There is limited cell phone service in the Baghdad area. A rudimentary service was installed in May and members of the Coalition Provincial Authority and Iraqi officials can now communicate in the city. There will be three regional cell network contracts awarded. This will ensure the whole country gets coverage. Wells said with one contract there would be the temptation to just cover Baghdad and the larger cities. By breaking it into three regional contracts, he said he hopes smaller cities and towns will get communications.

Also See: wireless cell phone companies.

Author Notes:

Yen Hung contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com. A cellular phone industry resource featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of cellular phone and service plans.