Broadband network project to be completed in two years — ICT minister

AMMAN — Public facilities, hospitals, schools and agencies will be connected to a high-speed Internet network in two years upon the completion of the National Broadband Network project, according to ICT Minister Azzam Sleit.

In May, the government will announce the names of winning bidders to complete the project, which was halted several times over the past few years due to lack of financial resources, the minister told reporters at a meeting last week.

Sleit announced that the government allocated $209 million from the Gulf Cooperation Council’s $5 billion grant to complete the project.

“All projects under the tenders that the government floated will be completed in two years after which the scheme will be ready. This will greatly boost e-services, e-health and e-education in the Kingdom,” he said.

In 2011, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait pledged $5 billion in assistance to Jordan over the course of five years.

Work on the network started in 2003, and 35 per cent has been completed so far at a total cost of $36 million. 

During the meeting, the minister said the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission has started serious discussions with Zain Jordan, Orange Jordan and Umniah to introduce fourth generation services in the country.

“We chose to talk to the three existing operators and we are more than happy if they ask for the frequencies to provide 4G services.”

“We will soon hear good news on this matter,” he added.

The government recently received two bids from KULACOM Jordan and a US-based company called “Ameriphone” to acquire licences to provide 4G services in the country, but the bids were rejected.

The country’s three operators have repeatedly called on the government to cancel the tender, saying that licensing a fourth operator will negatively affect the market.