Tekelec’s EAGLE 5 is the world’s market-share leading signaling platform, providing a single solution for multiple core networking functions such as signal transfer point (STP), signaling gateway and intelligent routing. The platform scales to meet Wataniya’s signaling system 7 (SS7) and SS7 over Internet Protocol, or SIGTRAN, signaling needs based on subscriber growth and the increase of 3G-enabled handsets, which can often generate more signaling traffic than 2G or 2.5G devices.

“Tekelec gives us new abilities to perform numerous network operations and analysis from a central control,” said Hisham Sibilini, chief technology officer of Wataniya Telecom, “saving capex and opex and giving us the tools to improve our services’ portfolio as we continue to grow.”

Wataniya will also use Tekelec to balance traffic for SMS needs and screen and control inter-operator traffic for billing accuracy. The EAGLE 5 maximizes SMS traffic routing by analyzing signaling intelligence.

“Operators in high-growth economies must be prepared to scale as business grows,” said Wolrad Claudy, Tekelec's senior vice president of global sales. “Wataniya Telecom has helped Kuwait achieve more than 100 percent mobile market penetration, and we are excited to begin new services for this multi-national service provider.” In addition to Kuwait, Wataniya Telecom operates in Algeria, Maldives, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia and is part of the QTel group.

For more information on SS7 signaling, Tekelec has an updated SS7 Pocket Guide available for download, including two new sections on SIGTRAN and Bearer Independent Call Control (BICC).

About Tekelec
Tekelec, a global leader in core multimedia session control and network intelligence, ensures scalable, secure and highly available communications. The company’s market-leading signaling solutions enable the interworking of different network applications, technologies and protocols, providing a smooth transition to next-generation networks. Tekelec has more than 20 offices around the world serving customers in more than 100 countries, with corporate headquarters located near Research Triangle Park in Morrisville, N.C., U.S.A. For more information, please visit www.tekelec.com.

About Wataniya Telecom and Qatar Telecom
Wataniya Telecom was commercially launched in 1999 as the first privately owned operator in Kuwait. Wataniya has operations in 6 countries including Algeria, Maldives, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia. Qatar Telecom (Qtel) owns 52.5% of Wataniya Telecom.

Qatar Telecom (Qtel) is the exclusive telecommunications provider in Qatar. Its principal activities include local and international fixed telephone, mobile, Internet, data and cable television services. Qtel is committed to growing its presence in the Middle East and internationally and with Wataniya Telecom and its operations in the MENA region, Qtel is now active in 16 countries, including Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Singapore and Indonesia. In November 2006, Qtel acquired a strategic 38% equity stake with AT&T in NavLink, a leading provider of Managed Data Services to businesses in the Middle East. Qtel is a winner of the 2006 GCC Economic Award, and is listed on the Doha Securities Market, in addition to the exchanges in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and also is listed as GDR in London.