Grinder
1 August 2003, 17:49
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2003 - A DoD official spoke today about coalition plans to
let contracts for a cellular phone system and to reconstruct the
telecommunications system in Iraq.
Linton Wells II, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for networks
and information integration, told Pentagon reporters that the cell phone system
could be up and running by November.
Telecommunications systems support all ongoing reconstruction efforts in Iraq:
security, restoration of essential services, government, economy and the
internationalization of the coalition effort. Iraq has never had a cell phone
network, Wells said. The former regime put in 320 cell phone towers, but never
followed through with service.
DoD officials said the winning bidders may build off any of the old facilities
in their regions. "The objective is to return the Iraqi telecommunications
system to its pre-war activity to enable government operations, but also . to
introduce advanced technologies," Wells said.
There is limited cell phone service in the Baghdad area. A rudimentary service
was installed in May and members of the Coalition Provincial Authority and
Iraqi officials can now communicate in the city.
There will be three regional cell network contracts awarded. This will ensure
the whole country gets coverage. Wells said with one contract there would be
the temptation to just cover Baghdad and the larger cities. By breaking it into
three regional contracts, he said he hopes smaller cities and towns will get
communications.
Wells said he assessed the communications needs on a recent trip to Iraq. He
noted the coalition military is still operating off tactical communications
systems they used to fight the war. He said plans must be made to place some
normal military usage on the civilian system.
Currently, there is limited land-line service in Iraq, Wells said.
Telecommunications switches were damaged in the war, but they are under repair.
There are 3,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cables in the country, but they have
been targets of sabotage.
Wells said he expects to have the wireless contracts signed in early September.
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2003 - A DoD official spoke today about coalition plans to
let contracts for a cellular phone system and to reconstruct the
telecommunications system in Iraq.
Linton Wells II, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for networks
and information integration, told Pentagon reporters that the cell phone system
could be up and running by November.
Telecommunications systems support all ongoing reconstruction efforts in Iraq:
security, restoration of essential services, government, economy and the
internationalization of the coalition effort. Iraq has never had a cell phone
network, Wells said. The former regime put in 320 cell phone towers, but never
followed through with service.
DoD officials said the winning bidders may build off any of the old facilities
in their regions. "The objective is to return the Iraqi telecommunications
system to its pre-war activity to enable government operations, but also . to
introduce advanced technologies," Wells said.
There is limited cell phone service in the Baghdad area. A rudimentary service
was installed in May and members of the Coalition Provincial Authority and
Iraqi officials can now communicate in the city.
There will be three regional cell network contracts awarded. This will ensure
the whole country gets coverage. Wells said with one contract there would be
the temptation to just cover Baghdad and the larger cities. By breaking it into
three regional contracts, he said he hopes smaller cities and towns will get
communications.
Wells said he assessed the communications needs on a recent trip to Iraq. He
noted the coalition military is still operating off tactical communications
systems they used to fight the war. He said plans must be made to place some
normal military usage on the civilian system.
Currently, there is limited land-line service in Iraq, Wells said.
Telecommunications switches were damaged in the war, but they are under repair.
There are 3,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cables in the country, but they have
been targets of sabotage.
Wells said he expects to have the wireless contracts signed in early September.