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Historical Development of Communications

About the Historical Development of Communications

 

1921

The Telegraph and Postal Department was established, which provided telegraph and postal services for the Emirate of Transjordan.

 

1930

The British Communications Company (Cable and Wireless Company) assisted the Telegraph and Postal Department in developing communication services and international links. The cooperation with the Cable and Wireless Company continued for nearly four decades.

1951

A specialized Ministry of Transport was established, dedicated to improving and expanding telephone and telegraph services in accordance with the country's needs. It became fully and directly responsible for all national communications within the kingdom.

 

1961

The first automatic telephone exchange was operated in Amman with a capacity of approximately 5,000 lines.

 

1966

Cooperation with the British Communications Company (Cable and Wireless Company) ended, and the responsibilities were transferred to the Ministry of Transport.

 

1971

The Wire and Wireless Communications Corporation was established, owned by the government, which provided and organized land and satellite communication services for the country.

 

1973-1985

The Jordanian telecommunications network was significantly expanded with the boom in oil prices and the increase in remittances from expatriates, leading to an economic boom in Jordan and an increase in public spending by the government on networks.

 

1988

A license was granted to the Jordanian Company for Pager Services to provide pager services.

 

1992

The name of the Ministry of Transport was changed to the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.

 

1993

A national program was established to increase the telephone service penetration rate from 7.8 to 12 lines per 100 citizens.

 

1993

The private sector was allowed to invest in telecommunications projects.

 

October 1994

The first license was granted to operate public mobile phone services to the Jordanian Mobile Telephone Services Company / Fast Link.

 

1995

The Telecommunications Law No. 13 was enacted, establishing the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission.

 

1997

The Wire and Wireless Communications Corporation was converted into a fully government-owned company and registered in the companies registry under the name "Jordan Telecom Company," as a first step towards privatizing the company.

 

1999

The Petra Jordanian Mobile Telecommunications Company / MobileCom was granted a license to provide mobile phone services in the kingdom.

 

2000

Jordan became a full member of the World Trade Organization. Jordan submitted its commitments regarding the telecommunications sector as part of the offers presented to join the organization, which included the full liberalization of the telecommunications sector by the end of 2004.

 

2001

40% of Jordan Telecom Company shares were sold to Arab Bank and France Telecom, 8% to the Social Security Corporation, and 1% to Jordan Telecom Company employees.

 

2002

The Telecommunications Law No. 13 of 1995 was amended under the Temporary Amended Telecommunications Law No. 8 of 2002, which renamed the Ministry of Post and Transport to the "Ministry of Communications and Information Technology," and affirmed the independence of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, assigning the commission the tasks of regulating telecommunications and information technology services in the kingdom.

 

October 2002

10.49% of Jordan Telecom Company shares were sold in a public offering.

 

2003

The government's General Policy Document in the Telecommunications and Information Technology sectors and the postal sector was issued as part of the government's efforts to fulfill its commitments to the World Trade Organization to liberalize the telecommunications sector. The document affirmed the government's intention to liberalize the fixed telecommunications sub-sector by the end of 2004 and to end the duopoly of mobile phone companies at the beginning of 2004.

 

2003

The first license for providing mobile radio services was granted to the New Generation Company / Express.

 

Late 2003

The commission published its program for issuing an additional license to a new operator in the mobile telecommunications sector in the kingdom in accordance with the government's General Policy Document in the Telecommunications and Information Technology sectors and the postal sector.

 

June 2004

The commission published a public consultation document on the future licensing program for the fixed telecommunications sector after liberalizing the sector by the end of 2004.

 

August 2004

The commission issued a license to Umniah Telecommunications Company to provide public mobile telecommunications services in the kingdom. The duopoly of mobile companies (Fastlink and MobileCom) ended.

 

October 2004

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission published a public consultation document on the future of competition in the fixed telecommunications sector after liberalizing the sector.

 

Early 2005

The final stages of the national numbering plan were implemented concerning the mobile communications sector by adding a new digit (eighth) and unifying the mobile communications code with the number (07).

 

Early 2005

The monopoly of Jordan Telecom Company in providing fixed telecommunications services was ended, and the fixed telecommunications market was fully opened.

 

May 2005

The first individual general telecommunications license was granted to the Bahrain-Jordanian Technology and Telecommunications Company/Batelco - Jordan to provide fixed telecommunications services.

 

2005

The previous class licensees, totaling (26) licensees, were transferred to the new class license model referred to in the future licensing program.

 

2006

Fastlink, Umniah, and Express transitioned to the integrated licensing and regulatory framework.

 

June 2006

The government decided to sell its 41.5% stake in Jordan Telecom Company. The shares were sold to France Telecom and some local and regional entities, and the remaining shares were offered for subscription on the Amman Stock Exchange. However, the sale was not fully successful, leaving the government with an 11.6% stake in the company.

 

2006

The Authority approved the tender documents for the licensing of radio spectrum frequencies in the field of fixed broadband wireless access (FBWA), based on the decision of the Council of Ministers dated 12/9/2006, which included approval to follow the "public tendering method" for granting radio spectrum usage licenses in the field of fixed broadband wireless access. Subsequently, (5) frequency usage licenses were granted to companies to provide this type of service.

 

May 2007

On 29/5/2007, the Council of Ministers approved the government’s 2007 general policy document for the telecommunications, information technology, and postal sectors.

 

June 2007

The transfer of non-class licensees to the integrated licensing and regulatory framework was completed with the transition of Jordan Telecom Company and MobileCom.

 

January 2008

The government completed the sale of its entire stake in Jordan Telecom Company, making France Telecom the owner of 51% of the company’s shares, with the remaining shares held by the Social Security Corporation, Noor Financial Investment Company, the armed forces, and security agencies, while 7% of the shares remained for trading on the Amman Stock Exchange.

 

June 2008

The Authority announced its intention to introduce third-generation services in Jordan.

 

Mid-August 2009

Orange Mobile was granted a license to provide third-generation services in the Kingdom.

 

June 2010

The Jordanian Mobile Phone Services Company (Zain) was granted a license to provide third-generation services in the Kingdom.

 

January 2012

Umniah was granted a license to provide third-generation services in the Kingdom.

 

November 2012

On 28/11/2012, the Council of Ministers approved the government’s 2012 general policy document for the telecommunications, information technology, and postal sectors.

 

April 2014

Approval was granted for the Jordanian Mobile Phone Services Company (Zain) to license frequencies in the (1800 MHz) and (2100 MHz) bands.

 

January 2015

Approval was granted for Orange Mobile to license frequencies in the (1800 MHz) band.

 

June 2015

Approval was granted for Umniah to license a frequency band in the (1800 MHz) range.

 

June 2016

Approval was granted for the Petra Jordanian Mobile Telecommunications Company (Orange Mobile) to license frequencies in the (2100 MHz) band.

 

December 2017

Approval was granted for the Petra Jordanian Mobile Telecommunications Company (Orange Mobile) to license frequencies in the (2600 MHz) band.

 

2018

The Authority adopted the approach of periodic auditing on prepaid and postpaid service charging systems for all services provided by mobile telecommunications operators based on standards issued by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).

 

2019

Jordan was accredited as an international training center in the fields of spectrum management and telecommunications service quality by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

 

2020

The Authority approved Internet of Things (IoT) regulations and became one of the first regulatory authorities globally and in the Arab region to do so.

 

2023

The commercial launch of fifth-generation services in Jordan after signing settlement agreements with mobile phone companies (Umniah, Orange, Zain) and granting the three companies incentive packages to fulfill the commitments set by the Authority.

1921

The Telegraph and Post Department was established, responsible for providing telegraph and postal services for the Emirate of East Jordan.

1930

The British Communications Company (Cable and Wireless) assisted the Telegraph and Post Department in developing communication services and international links. This collaboration with Cable and Wireless continued for nearly four decades.

1951

A specialized Ministry of Communications was established, dedicated to improving and expanding telephone and telegraph services to meet the country's needs. It became fully and directly responsible for all national communications within the Kingdom.

1961

The first automatic telephone exchange was put into operation in Amman, with an approximate capacity of 5000 lines.

1966

Collaboration with the British Communications Company (Cable and Wireless) ended, and responsibilities were assigned to the Ministry of Communications.

1971

The Telecommunication Corporation was established, owned by the government, and took over the provision and regulation of terrestrial and satellite communication services for the country.

1973-1985

The Jordanian telecommunications network was significantly expanded with the rise in oil prices and increased remittances from expatriates, leading to the flourishing of the Jordanian economy and increased government spending on networks.

1988

The Jordanian Automatic Call Company was granted a license to provide automatic call services.

1992

The Ministry of Communications was renamed to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.

1993

A national program was launched to increase the rate of telephone service penetration from 7.8 to 12 lines per 100 citizens.

1993

The private sector was allowed to invest in telecommunications projects.

October 1994

The first license for operating public mobile phone services was granted to the Jordanian Mobile Services Company / Fastlink.

1995

The Telecommunications Law No. 13 was enacted, which led to the creation of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission.

1997

The Telecommunication Corporation was converted into a fully government-owned company and registered in the company registry under the name "Jordan Telecommunications Company" as a first step towards privatizing the company.

1999

The Petra Jordanian Mobile Communications Company / Mobilcom was granted a license to provide mobile phone services in the Kingdom.

2000

Jordan became a full member of the World Trade Organization, and Jordan made commitments regarding the telecommunications sector as part of its accession to the organization, which included fully liberalizing the telecommunications sector by the end of 2004.

2001

40% of the shares of Jordan Telecommunications Company were sold to Arab Bank and France Télécom, 8% to the Social Security Corporation, and 1% to the employees of Jordan Telecommunications Company.

2002

The Telecommunications Law No. 13 of 1995 was amended by the Temporary Telecommunications Law No. 8 of 2002, which changed the name of the Ministry of Posts and Communications to the "Ministry of Communications and Information Technology" and emphasized the independence of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, assigning it the task of regulating telecommunications and information technology services in the Kingdom.

October 2002

10.49% of the shares of Jordan Telecommunications Company were sold in a public offering.

2003

The government issued a policy document for the telecommunications, information technology, and postal sectors, as part of its commitment to the World Trade Organization to liberalize the telecommunications sector. The document confirmed the government's intention to liberalize the fixed-line telecommunications sector by the end of 2004 and end the duopoly of the mobile phone companies at the beginning of 2004.

2003

The first license for providing mobile radio services was granted to the New Generation Company / Express.

Late 2003

The Commission announced its program for issuing an additional license for a new operator in the mobile telecommunications sector in the Kingdom, in line with the government’s policy document for the telecommunications, information technology, and postal sectors.

June 2004

The Commission published a document for public consultation on the future licensing program for the fixed-line telecommunications sector after the sector was liberalized at the end of 2004.

August 2004

A license was granted to Umniah Mobile Company to provide mobile telecommunications services.

October 2004

The "Additional Licensing Program in accordance with the Government's Policy Document for the Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Postal Sectors" was issued, detailing the types of licenses that would be granted to investors, divided into individual licenses and category licenses.

Early 2005

The final stage of the national numbering plan was implemented concerning mobile telecommunications, adding a new digit (eighth) and standardizing the mobile communications code to (07).

Early 2005

The monopoly of Jordan Telecommunications Company in providing fixed-line services was ended, and the fixed-line telecommunications market was fully opened.

May 2005

The first public individual telecommunications license was granted to the Bahraini-Jordanian Telecommunications and Technology Company / Batelco – Jordan to provide fixed-line telecommunications services.

2005

Previous category licensees, numbering 26, were converted to the new category licensing model outlined in the future licensing program.

2006

Fastlink, Umniah, and Express transitioned to the integrated licensing and regulatory framework.

June 2006

The government decided to sell its 41.5% stake in Jordan Telecommunications Company. The shares were sold to France Télécom and some local and regional entities, with the remaining shares offered for subscription in the Amman Financial Market. However, the sale was not entirely successful, leaving the government with 11.6% of the company's shares.

2006

The Commission approved the tender documents for spectrum frequency licenses in the field of Fixed Broadband Wireless Access (FBWA), based on the Cabinet's decision dated 12/9/2006, which approved the "public tender approach" for granting spectrum usage licenses in the field of FBWA. Subsequently, 5 spectrum usage licenses were granted to companies for providing this type of service.

May 2007

On 29/5/2007, the Cabinet approved the government's policy document for 2007 in the telecommunications, information technology, and postal sectors.

June 2007

The transition of non-category licensees to the integrated licensing and regulatory framework was completed with the transition of Jordan Telecommunications Company and Mobilcom.

January 2008

The government completed the sale of its entire stake in Jordan Telecommunications Company, with France Télécom owning 51% of the company's shares, along with shares distributed among the Social Security Corporation, Noor Financial Investment Company, the Armed Forces, and security agencies. 7% of the shares remained available for trading on the Amman Financial Market.

June 2008

The Commission announced its intention to introduce 3G services in Jordan.

Mid-August 2009

A license was granted to Orange Cellular for providing 3G services in the Kingdom.

June 2010

The Jordanian Mobile Services Company (Zain) was granted a license to provide 3G services in the Kingdom.

January 2012

Umniah was granted a license to provide 3G services in the Kingdom.

November 2012

On 28/11/2012, the Cabinet approved the government’s policy document for the telecommunications, information technology, and postal sectors for 2012.

April 2014

The request from the Jordanian Mobile Services Company (Zain) for frequency licensing in the 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands was approved.

January 2015

The request from Orange Mobile for frequency licensing in the 1800 MHz band was approved.

June 2015

The request from Umniah for licensing a range of frequencies in the 1800 MHz band was approved.

June 2016

The request from Petra Jordanian Mobile Communications (Orange Mobile) for frequency licensing in the 2100 MHz band was approved.

December 2017

The request from Petra Jordanian Mobile Communications (Orange Mobile) for frequency licensing in the 2600 MHz band was approved.

2018

The Commission adopted a periodic auditing approach for prepaid and postpaid service charging systems for all services provided by mobile telecommunications operators, based on standards issued by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.

2019

Jordan was recognized as an international training center in spectrum management and telecommunications service quality by the International Telecommunication Union.

2020

The Commission approved the Internet of Things regulations, becoming one of the first regulatory bodies to implement these regulations in the world and the Arab region.

2023

5G services were commercially launched in Jordan after signing settlement agreements with mobile phone companies (Umniah, Orange, Zain) and granting the three companies incentive packages to fulfill the commitments set by the Commission.

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