Batelco Group’s Jordanian subsidiary - Umniah, and the Jordan Electric Power Company (JEPCO), have signed a partnership, under which a new company will be established to create the infrastructure for a large-scale fiber optic network servicing the areas operated by JEPCO. This will deliver wholesale high-bandwidth internet services to telecom companies and service providers, eventually reaching more than 1.4 million homes and businesses.
The agreement was signed by Umniah’s CEO Ziad Shatara and JEPCO Chairman Isam Bdeir in a ceremony attended by a number of board members and senior executives from both companies. The partnership is considered one of the most significant between two private sector companies operating in critical sectors in the Kingdom, and which both offer services that are essential to furthering economic growth, and impact the daily lives of Jordanians nationwide.
Under this partnership, a new company co-owned by JEPCO and Umniah will be established and — once all necessary permits and certifications are acquired — will roll out a new fiber optic network covering all areas in which JEPCO operates. This in turn will serve subscribers of both companies in addition to offering wholesale services to other service providers.
This agreement reiterates Umniah’s continued efforts to accelerate digital transformation in the Kingdom by creating accessible infrastructure and services. The new fiber optic network will help countless communities gain access to reliable broadband internet and to experience the full potential of the modern digital age.
This pioneering partnership, falls in line with Batelco Group’s overriding strategy that aims to satisfy economic, social and developmental needs across its host markets, in addition to investing in an innovative and unique business model for its operating companies that adds value and offers clients an edge.
Ihab Hinnawi, the CEO of Batelco Group commended the efforts of Umniah to revolutionize the Jordanian telecommunications landscape, and to support the efforts of the government to create a digital economy. He further underscored Batelco Group’s confidence in Jordan’s economic and investment potential, noting that this agreement will help broaden the scope of investments made by Batelco in the Kingdom.
Hinnawi also added that, “This strategic partnership demonstrates the effect of Batelco’s innovation, efforts, unique offerings as well as its highly effective organizational culture, which are all inspired by a firm conviction that our commitment to the communities in which we operate makes our strategy more sustainable while entrenching our uniqueness and decreasing the cost on our clients.”
The strategic partnership has enjoyed strong support from Umniah’s shareholders due to its high impact in strengthening the telecom’s local and regional positioning and providing customers with the best services while simultaneously supporting the country’s developmental efforts and satisfying the Jordanian government’s requirements.
JEPCO Chairman Isam Bdeir, highlighted the importance of this partnership with Umniah, which he noted will yield considerable returns to its investors, partners and the overall economy by implementing a forward-thinking business model that integrates the energy and telecommunications sectors. He added that the new company and the planned fiber optic network will revolutionize the delivery, billing and communications operations for JEPCO, thus helping to bring Jordan’s electrical grid into the twenty-first century.
Meanwhile, Umniah’s CEO Ziad Shatara, who signed the partnership agreement on behalf of the company, expressed his gratitude to JEPCO for choosing Umniah as a partner in this large-scale project. “This partnership is yet another milestone in Umniah’s ever-growing legacy, one of which we are all proud. Our primary objective is to accelerate internet and digital penetration nationwide and to redefine the way Jordanians perceive and interact with technology.”
“More importantly, this partnership will help propel the local economy by creating an environment that is conducive to business development and growth. This will help create additional job opportunities, all the while providing existing businesses with the tools and infrastructure needed to expand their operations,” he added.
In 2018, Umniah and JEPCO had completed one of the largest infrastructural projects in the Kingdom by establishing an over-ground fiber optic network running in parallel to the electrical grids operated by JEPCO. This network aided in connecting and automating a number of power substations and in the installation of smart counters throughout various areas in Amman. Moreover, the network has also allowed JEPCO to remotely manage electrical grids in various areas. The partnership is also facilitating the delivery of cutting-edge internet services to various areas, with more areas set to receive coverage in 2019.