Al Mazaya Telecommunications Selects VeriSign’s
PrePay Solution to Serve its CDMA Network in Iraq
VeriSign® PrePayIN™ Expands to Subscribers in the Middle East
3GSM WORLD CONGRESS, BARCELONA, Feb. 13, 2007 - VeriSign, Inc.
(Nasdaq: VRSN), the leading provider of digital infrastructure for the
networked world, today announced that Iraqi based Al Mazaya Telecommunications
chose VeriSign PrePayIN to support its prepay service in Iraq.
The new service, which is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2007,
is the first installation of PrePayIN in the Middle East.
“VeriSign PrePayIN allows us to launch feature-rich
prepay wireless service to Iraq and provide a superior customer experience
to millions of users,” said Mr. Alaa Sami Kazim, Chairman of Al Mazaya
Telecommunications. “In addition to enabling us to compete in
the growing Iraqi prepay market by offering next-generation services,
this solution allows us to accurately bill customers in real-time.”
Al Mazaya Telecommunications will use PrePayIN rating
flexibility to deliver targeted plans for voice and short message services
(SMS), popular in the Middle East. The real-time billing will provide
customers with detailed, up-to-date usage information and account status.
The service will also allow carriers to bill for new services, including
next-generation content and data services such as streaming video, file
transfer and multimedia message services (MMS).
“For service providers to expand into new markets
and grow their subscriber base, they must be able to offer accurate
billing services combined with content that customers demand,” said
Kevin Bresnahan, director, VeriSign Prepaid Product Management. “Our
solution allows Al Mazaya Telecommunications to expand into its target
market of Iraq and offer more services and plans that can be rated,
billed and delivered -- anywhere, anytime.”
The prepaid market has experienced steady growth in
the Middle East. According to the Yankee Group's recent report, "Global
Mobile Premium Forecast, September 2006," total prepaid market revenue
is forecasted to grow from 1.7 million Euros in 2003 to over 6.9 million Euros
by the year 2010.
VeriSign’s current prepay services support more than
30 million subscribers worldwide. VeriSign offers one of the world’s
broadest and most comprehensive portfolio of next-generation communications,
commerce and content solutions.
About Al Mazaya Telecommunications
Al Mazaya Telecommunications is an Iraqi based company holding a license
from ITPC of Iraq to operate CDMA networks in Iraq. Al Mazaya Telecommunications
is a joint venture of Al Manara Overseas LLC from Dubai and Al-Mal Investment
Group from Kuwait. The joint venture is in the process of establishing
its head-office operations in Dubai under the name of Al Mazaya Star
Telecom.
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), operates intelligent infrastructure services
that enable and protect interactions across voice and data networks
anytime, from anywhere, on multiple devices. Additional news and information
about the company is available at www.verisign.com.
Trademarks
VeriSign, and other trademarks, service marks, and logos are registered
or unregistered marks of VeriSign, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the
United States and in foreign countries. All other trademarks are property
of their respective owners. Copyright © 2007 VeriSign, Inc. All
rights reserved.
For More Information
VeriSign Media Relations: Lisa Malloy, lmalloy@verisign.com,
+1 571 230 7216
VeriSign Investor Relations: Nancy Fazioli, ir@verisign.com,
+1 650 426 5146
Forward-Looking Statement
Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties
that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ materially from
those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential
risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainty of future
revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly operating
results due to such factors as the inability of VeriSign to successfully
develop and market new products and services and customer acceptance
of any new products or services, including VeriSign's PrePayIN; the
possibility that this service may not result in additional customers,
profits or revenues; and increased competition and pricing pressures.
More information about potential factors that could affect the company's
business and financial results is included in VeriSign's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q. VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any
of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.
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