SAMSUNG Electronics and Bayanat Al-Oula Lead the Mobile WiMAX Revolution in the Middle East

Samsung contracts with Bayanat Al-Oula to provide Mobile WiMAX services in Saudi Arabia

Seoul, Korea, January 15th, 2007: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a leading provider of modern telecom systems and mobile phones, and Bayanat Al-Oula for Network Services, a leading emerging alternative telecom services provider in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, signed a contract to deploy the largest Mobile WiMAX network in the region.

According to the agreement, Samsung will supply Mobile WiMAX equipment and devices to Bayanat Al-Oula over a two year period beginning in 2007. This partnership will result in the largest Mobile WiMAX deployment in the Middle East region. Bayanat Al-Oula plans to launch commercial services based upon Mobile WiMAX technology in four major cities; Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Makkah in 2007. Services will then be expanded nationwide.

Since the establishment of Bayanat Al-Oula in 2004, it has been actively developing its networks and operations to serve the Saudi Market and has accomplished a number of important milestones since being awarded the license. Mr. Abdulmajeed Elshawa, CEO of Bayanat Al-Oula, said “We envision that Mobile WiMAX will revolutionize data services in the same way that mobile network technology revolutionized voice services. Data services, such as high-speed internet access, video and audio streaming, and wireless VPN connectivity will transform the way end-users use these services and significantly enhance their value. The combination of Samsung’s expertise in Mobile WiMAX technologies, and Bayanat’s innovation, market knowledge and commitment to delivering value to customers will transform the telecoms industry in Saudi Arabia.”

“As a global leader in Mobile WiMAX technologies, Samsung is excited to offer the latest in equipment and devices to the Middle East market in partnership with Bayanat Al-Oula,” said Kitae Lee, President of Samsung Electronics Telecommunications Network Business. “Mobile WiMAX will play an important role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s telecommunication industry, and Samsung is very proud to be a contributor to the Saudi Arabian market. Samsung will continue to create and produce products that will lead the entire Middle Eastern region into a new era of telecommunications”

Mobile WiMAX is the ideal solution for establishing broadband data and voice communication into the Middle East, overcoming the region’s geographical challenges. Thanks to its wireless connectivity and capabilities, an increase of Mobile WiMAX adoption is expected in other Middle East nations following the commercialization of Mobile WiMAX with Bayanat Al-Oula,

Samsung has already had successful experience in deploying Mobile WiMAX technology in other regions around the globe. Mobile WiMAX service was first commercialized in the Korean market in June of 2006 and has shown significant growth and expansion in other worldwide markets. Samsung is now supplying equipment for trials and commercialization in Europe (Italy), Asia (Japan), North America (the U.S.), and South America (Venezuela and Brazil). Mobile WiMAX will soon be available in Saudi Arabia in 2007.

About Bayanat Al-Oula for Network Services
Bayanat Al-Oula for Network Services, or Bayanat, is a Data Service Provider in Saudi Arabia that was established in 2004 by a consortium of local leading telecommunication firms. It is the leading alternative network services provider in Saudi Arabia and is preparing to launch commercial services in early 2007.
Since gaining a data license from CITC in early 2005, Bayanat has invested heavily in aggressively developing and building network and operational capabilities that will allow it to serve corporate, consumer and wholesale customers nationwide.
For more information, please visit www.bayanat.com.sa

About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2005 parent company sales of US$56.7 billion and net income of US$7.5 billion. Employing approximately 128,000 people in over 120 offices in 57 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Appliance Business, Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones, and TFT-LCDs.
For more information, visit www.samsung.com