GAZA, October 24, 2017 (WAFA) – Wataniya Mobile, a member of the Qatari Ooredoo Group, launched on Monday its cellular telephone service in the Gaza Strip for the first time since it started operations in the West Bank in 2009.

The telecommunications company, partially owned by the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF), the investment arm of the Palestinian Authority, has had difficulty getting Israeli approval to launch operation in Gaza. Israel controls the borders and any equipment going into the Palestinian territories, whether in the West Bank or Gaza Strip, has to have Israeli approval first.

The company celebrated the launch of its service Gaza after Israel allowed it earlier this year to bring in basic equipment to build a modern telecommunications network.

In ceremonies held in Gaza City, Mohammad Mustafa, PIF chairman of the board, said the launch was a living example of the determination of major Arab and Palestinian investors to remain in Palestine in spite of the difficulties and financial losses.

He said work is underway to get Israel to approve the 3G network service to the Palestinian mobile telecommunication companies, which include Jawwal in addition to Wataniya.

The Palestinian mobile companies currently operate the 2G system after Israel, which now operates the 4G system, has refused to grant them the frequencies needed to upgrade their service to 3G. However, Israel recently approved the 3G for the Palestinians but only in the West Bank.

Minister of Telecommunications Allam Mousa said negotiations are underway with Israel to allow the 3G system in the Gaza Strip as well while currently they will do with the 2G to start providing services to customers in the Gaza Strip.

M.K.