Palestinians seek ITU support in frequency row

By Mohammed Assadi

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - The Palestinian Authority (PA) Tuesday said it had asked the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to press Israel to release more frequencies for a long-awaited second mobile phone operator.

It wants Geneva-based ITU, which defines and adopts telecoms standards, to urge Israel to release frequencies up to 4.8 MHz, warning it will sustain heavy financial losses unless it obtains them.

The ITU said in a brief statement it had received the Palestinian request.

"ITU has asked both parties to cooperate," the body said.

The phone frequency dispute between Israel and the Palestinians has been dragging on for more than two years. As occupying power, Israel controls the airwaves of the West Bank where 2.5 million Palestinians live.

Under an agreement between Israel and the PA signed in July 2008, Israel has to release 4.8 MHz, but so far it has released only 3.8 MHz.

"Unless Israel honors its commitments and assigns 4.8 MHz by 15 October 2009, the financial damage to the PA will have serious long-term repercussions," the Palestinian submission said, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters.

Following last year's agreement brokered by U.S. and Middle East envoy Tony Blair, the PA awarded Wataniya Palestine a contract, making it the second mobile phone provider after Jawwal network.