Zain, the Mobile Telecommunications Company, crossed the last hurdle to operate in the Saudi market when the Saudi Telecommunications and Information Technology Commission formally issued a mobile telecommunication service license to it, reported the Saudi Press Agency Wednesday. The license was issued following the completion of subscription process, the formation of the Company and the issuance of commercial register by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The license, which is valid for 25 years, will allow the Company to establish a mobile telecommunications system. The Company will also be entitled to establish international outlets to provide local and international mobile telecommunication services. Zain's Saudi affiliate plans to start operations by June this year, the company's chief executive said last week. Zain Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom's third mobile phone company, started trading at SR22 on its debut on the Riyadh stock exchange. “We will launch the service by the end of the first half of this year or by June ... but this is subject to achieving quality standards,” Marwan Al-Ahmadi said. Zain sold shares in Zain Saudi Arabia, of which it owns 25 percent. __
