October 1999

Palestine Territories Update Memo

The following report outlines new developments in the past three months and the state of on-going developments.

The Palestine Telecommunications Company (PALTEL)

PALTEL has announced that a number of projects will be implemented in the near future. No specific implementation dates have been specified by PALTEL.

These projects are:

1.The expansion of the fixed public telephone network
This involves the deployment of 200,000 fixed telephone lines, building national transit switches, and an international gateway. Tender for this project has already been floated.

2.Public paging service
Will initially have a capacity for 20,000 customers. Tender has been floated.

3.Data transmission service
Aims at providing point-to-point and point- to- multipoint digital leased line services. Project is under evaluation.

4.Public Internet service
The initial service to be offered will consist of two access codes (one for West Bank and one for Gaza), linked to the global Internet service via dedicated high-speed access line.

5.Directory inquiry and publication
To provide operator assistance to inquiring customers. The intention is also to publish annual White and Yellow pages directories.

6.Billing and customer care services
Integrated Billing and Customer Care application software, to be adopted by all the users in our front and back-end offices.