SYDNEY, June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- NetComm Wireless Limited (ASX: NTC) today announced that it has entered into its second major M2M supply agreement with Etihad Etisalat (Mobily), a leading telecommunications service provider in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The deal is expected to bolster vertical sector opportunities in the Middle East by enabling Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications over 3G networks as mobile penetration tops 100 per cent.
The phenomenal uptake of mobile broadband communications in the Middle East is fueled by the strong demand for wireless M2M communications across industry sectors such as utilities, oil and gas and transport and other businesses located in areas with limited access to fixed line (ADSL, cable, fibre) services. With new mobile subscriptions in the region growing by 44.1% annually, it is expected that there will be 352 million mobile subscriptions (Informa Telecoms & Media) and 119.7 million wireless M2M connections (Visiongain, 2011) by the end of 2016 as utility meters, vehicles, construction equipment and medical devices become connected.
Etisalat has secured a place in Machina Research's M2M Leaderboard, a ranking of the top 20 global mobile network operators (MNOs) based on their expected revenue from mobile M2M in 2020, thereby gaining recognition as a world leader in M2M communications and a key driver of large-scale M2M growth throughout the Middle East.
"This M2M supply deal builds on the success of our existing partnership with Mobily and we are pleased to work together to provide countless vertical sectors throughout the Kingdom with significant new opportunities by combining Mobily's advanced broadband network capabilities with our innovative wireless M2M technologies," said David Stewart, CEO and Managing Director, NetComm Wireless.
"The rapid expansion of Mobily's broadband networks, which cover most of the populated areas in the country, has led us to sign this agreement with NetComm Wireless to provide advanced solutions to cover many regions of the kingdom and to support and guarantee business continuity," said Dr Marwan Al-Ahmadi, CEO, Mobily.
The Indoor Industrial Router with Voice seamlessly integrates with existing applications to provide undisrupted wireless speeds of up to 21Mbps over 3G networks; while also offering analogue telephone connectivity for complete landline replacement.
The Outdoor Industrial Router extends wireless M2M benefits to businesses located in weak or inconsistent 3G signal strength areas. Designed to create a far-reaching indoor and outdoor 300Mbps WiFi network, the IP67 rated Outdoor Routerendures harsh environmental conditions and comes equipped with external 3G and WiFi antennasto ensure an optimal signal in remote regions.
Enquiries to: Stephanie Wilson, NetComm Wireless Communications Manager
Phone: +61 2 9424 2045 or email: stephanie.wilson@netcommwireless.com
About Mobily
Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) was established in 2004 by a consortium led by Etisalat, the UAE based telecom conglomerate. Mobily is the official brand name of Etihad Etisalat, renowned as the second mobile service provider in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mobily is the 1st Saudi communications company to get an operation license for 3rd generation services and beyond. In December 2004, Mobily was listed on Tadawul Stock Exchange. Today, Mobily equates to 40%+ market share of the mobile subscriptions in the Kingdom. In March 2008, Mobily was granted approval by CITC (Communication and Information Technology Commission) to acquire Bayanat al-Oula, which was a licensed Data Service Provider for a price of SAR 1.5 Billion. And, in November 2008, Mobily acquired absolute majority stakes in Zajil, the leading Saudi ISP (Internet Service Provider).
Mobily owns vast majority shares in the Saudi National Fiber Network (SNFN) composed with 12,800 KM of structured fiber cable, panned into 7 fully protected rings covering 35 Saudi cities plus access to 60 major hub sites for telecommunications prime points of presence, and complimented with 20 inter-metropolis fiber loops in major Saudi cities. Furthermore, Mobily is a lead investor in prime global submarine cable projects that are expected to be operational in the near future.
About NetComm Wireless
NetComm Wireless Limited (ASX: NTC) is a leading developer of innovative broadband products sold globally to major telecommunications carriers, core network providers and system integrators. For 30 years NetComm has developed a portfolio of world first data communication products, and is arespected global providerof 3G and 4G wireless devices servicing the major telecommunications carrier, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and Rural Broadband markets. NetComm's products are designed to meet the growing needs of today's data-intensive home, business and industrial broadband applications and customized to optimize performance in line with global network advancements. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, NetComm has offices in New Zealand, North America and the Middle East. For more information about NetComm visit: www.netcommwireless.com
