ESIS extension / Key Person Contacts and Organisations / Palestine / Master Report

The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications regulates the telecommunications sector in Palestine, Mr. Imad Al Falouji is the Minister. The Minister of Higher Education is Mr. Munther Salah, the Minister of Trade & Economy is Mr. Maher Al Masri, the Minister of Industry is Mr. Said Al Karnaz and the Minister of Health is Mr. Riyad Al Zaanoun.

The Palestine Telecommunications Company (PALTEL) is the public telecommunications operator in Palestine. Its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Mr. Hatem Al Halawani. The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications regulates PALTEL through a licensing agreement.

The Palestinian Academic Network (PALNET) was the first to provide a graphical PPP dial-up Web connection that was used by many departments at Birzeit University. Planet established the new Palestinian ISP and content provider Palestine.On.Line: http://www.p-ol.com/ that offers various searchable business and service directories. PALNET (www.palnet.com) is the most dynamic Palestinian ISP that arrived on the scene as a commercial service provider offering e-mail and a Web connection to individuals and organisations. PALNET has been involved in educational outreach work including stalls at the Palestine International Festival 1996, offering opportunities for visitors to browse the Web. Palnet has pioneered the installation of a wireless microwave network that services 11 educational, governmental and non-governmental institutions in the West Bank, including the provision of a 128K leased line to Birzeit University.

Apart from PALNET, there are also other Internet service providers in Palestine; the major ones are: Jerusalem On Line, Marna Net, Palestine On Line and Rafah on Line.

Birzeit University (BZU, www.birzeit.edu) owing to its central position in Palestinian society, has become a key Palestinian IT policy center and content provider. Birzeit offers consultancy services to Palestinian institutions on network installation and information systems. Birzeit's website offers extensive information on the wider Palestinian society, including news items, tourist information, material related to the development of the Internet and Internet community in Palestine.

The Information Technology Unit (IT Unit) at Birzeit University is a department of the computer center.The objective of this unit is to develop human resources that will contribute to the development of IT in Palestine, through professional training designed specifically to suit the needs of the newly emerging Palestinian state. The Unit carries out professional and consulting services, as well as research and development with emphasis on programs that will contribute to the development of the infrastructure of Palestine.

Information Technology Special Interest Group (ITSIG) aims to develop an atmosphere of coordination and cooperation between the various bodies and individuals involved in the development of IT in Palestine, to create an advisory body for IT projects, to influence policy makers in IT related issues and developments, to formulate a view on policy and strategy, to coordinate efforts and activities between international and donor agencies in IT and to raise the awareness of the Palestinian community in relation to IT. Possible areas of ITSIG contribution include, development of telecommunications and infrastructure, IT services, e.g. banking, marketing, telemedicine, industry, public services, etc.; technical IT policies, legal and regulatory frameworks and standards, IT regulations and policies to protect citizen and consumer rights, privacy and accessibility and human resource development and education.

Please note that this report has been prepared under the sole responsibility of the ESIS II contractors.
It does not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission, nor does the Commission accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of information contained herein.
The ESIS Team of contractors welcomes any additional information or corrections.