Samsung and Bayanat Al-Oula for Network Services, a telecom services provider in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, signed a contract to deploy the largest Mobile WiMAX network in the region.

Samsung will supply Mobile WiMAX equipment and devices to Bayanat Al-Oula over a two year period beginning in 2007. This partnership will result in the largest Mobile WiMAX deployment in the Middle East region. Bayanat Al-Oula plans to launch commercial services based upon Mobile WiMAX technology in four major cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Makkah in 2007. Services will then be expanded nationwide.

Mr. Abdulmajeed Elshawa, CEO of Bayanat Al-Oula, said “We envision that Mobile WiMAX will revolutionize data services in the same way that mobile network technology revolutionized voice services. Data services, such as high-speed internet access, video and audio streaming, and wireless VPN connectivity will transform the way end-users use these services and significantly enhance their value. The combination of Samsung’s expertise in Mobile WiMAX technologies, and Bayanat’s innovation, market knowledge and commitment to delivering value to customers will transform the telecoms industry in Saudi Arabia.”

Mobile WiMAX is the ideal solution for establishing broadband data and voice communication into the Middle East, overcoming the region’s geographical challenges. Thanks to its wireless connectivity and capabilities, an increase of Mobile WiMAX adoption is expected in other Middle East nations following the commercialization of Mobile WiMAX.