Gegenheimer comes to
Wataniya TelecomWataniya
Telecom
with extensive telecommunications experience,
recently serving as Co-CEO of Tunisiana (a leading Mobile
operator in Tunisia and a joint venture between
Wataniya TelecomWataniya
Telecom
and Orascom Telecom), the company said. Gegenheimer will
succeed Harri Koponen, who resigned from the position.
"As we thank Mr. Koponen for his efforts in effectively
leading Wataniya, we wish for him to achieve more success in
his future career," said Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin
Saud Al-Thani, Chairman of
Wataniya TelecomWataniya
Telecom.
He added, "Mr. Scott Gegenheimer has proven leadership skills and experience in the telecommunications industry and his valuable operator experience will undoubtedly help to continue to develop the mobile communications market in Kuwait.
Scott is not a stranger to the Wataniya family ... and we are certain that his tremendous experience will further drive consolidated growth for both Wataniya TelecomWataniya Telecom and Kuwaiti market."
Gegenheimer holds an MBA from DePaul University, Chicago, and has a long history of successful achievements in a number of global organizations. Prior to his role at Tunisiana, he held senior level positions in all of Motorola and Cisco Systems.
"I am very pleased to join
Wataniya TelecomWataniya
Telecom
in Kuwait at this stage, immediately after the announcement
of the entry of the third operator; I am looking forward to
the challenges of moving the company forward to achieve more
successes", said Gegenheimer.
Koponen said that leading Wataniya over three and a half years was a remarkable opportunity. "I believe it is time to move on to the next phase in my career and I'm confident that Wataniya is in good hands," he noted.
Wataniya TelecomWataniya
Telecom
was commercially launched in 1999 as the first privately
owned operator in Kuwait. In March 2007,
Qatar Telecom (Qtel)Qatar
Telecom (Qtel)
acquired 51 percent of
Wataniya TelecomWataniya
Telecom
shares from Kuwait Projects Company Holding KSC (KIPCO)
group.
Wataniya is a customer driven company that aims to provide product and service excellence that is leading to a real customer value.
The company has been a driving force in increasing the mobile market penetration in Kuwait (over 93 percent). It has grown rapidly through acquisitions and enjoys a remarkable expansion in MENA and ASIA, with operations in Kuwait, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Tunisia, Algeria, and later in 2007 in Palestine.
(QtelQtel) is the exclusive telecommunications provider in Qatar. Its
principal activities include local and international fixed
telephone, mobile, Internet, data and cable television
services. (QtelQtel)
is committed to growing its presence in the Middle East and
internationally and with
Wataniya TelecomWataniya
Telecom
and its operations in the MENA region,
(QtelQtel)
is now active in 10 countries including
Qatar, Oman, Singapore and Indonesia.
In November 2006, (QtelQtel) acquired a strategic 38 percent equity stake with ATT in NavLink, a leading provider of Managed Data Services to businesses in the Middle East. It is listed on the Doha Securities Market and on other stock exchanges in the GCC.
