Country: Jordan & Israel

Client: Jordan Telecommunications Corporation (TCC), Bezeq, Jordan Rift Valley Telecom Working Group

Project Title: Jordan Rift Valley Telecommunications Feasibility Study: Jordan/Israel

Project Description: In 1994, Jordan and Israel negotiated a historic peace treaty, which was recognized as a pivotal step towards a permanent and hospitable relationship between the neighboring countries. The treaty also opened new areas for commercial activities. In an effort to support broader national development plans and stimulate regional cooperation, a Jordanian/Israeli team known as the Jordan Rift Valley (JRV) Telecom Working Group was created. Their purpose was to explore a range of telecommunications projects that could provide mutual benefits.

By August, 1995, the JRV Telecom Working Group reached agreement to conduct a Feasibility Study on the development of a high capacity fiber optic telecommunications system along the southern part of the Jordan Rift Valley. The new fiber system would provide services to the Arava Valley and connect it to the telecom networks in both countries as well as with other regional and international networks. For the longer term, the JRV Telecom Working Group envisioned the fiber system functioning as the backbone of a future high-speed regional network.

Global Resources was asked to assist the JRV Telecom Working Group in their study definition and telecommunications project planning process.

After receiving a project overview prepared by the Jordan Rift Valley Telecom Working Group, we evaluated Jordan’s and Israel’s telecommunications sectors and respective project development concepts and then discussed project issues with key organizations working in the ICT sector in the two countries and region. In Jordan and Israel we discussed the study concepts, sector development issues, and broader economic and social development concerns with telecommunications sector and government representatives within each country.

Our draft Feasibility Study incorporated objectives associated with these different national concerns, as well as work plans, the budget, timeline and expected staffing for three distinct telecommunications projects. Project review meetings were then held in Jordan and in Israel to review the detailed parameters. Afterwards, Global Resources facilitated a group discussion of the revised Feasibility Study Project recommendations and draft report, and led bilateral negotiations to obtain agreement for the Study by the JRV Telecom Working Group and related stakeholders from each country.

When agreement on the Feasibility Study was achieved, we assisted the JRV Telecom Working Group in obtaining funding for the implementation of the three projects, which would provide timely financial, economic and social benefits for Jordan and Israel.

نتقدم بالشكر لكل من الأردن واسرائيل على ثقتهم بنا في مرحلة شهدت انتقال معاهدة السلام بين البلدين من مجرد كلمات إلى خطوات تنفيذية، وذلك بإتاحة الفرصة لنا لمساعدتهم خلال تلك المرحلة الهامة والمتميزة.

תודות לירדן ולישראל שסמכו עלינו בזמן המיוחד ההוא, ואפשרו לנו לסייע לארצותכם, כאשר הסכם השלום עבר משלב המילים לשלב הפעולות.