Motorola announced that it has signed an agreement with SabaFon to increase the coverage range and capacity of the SabaFon's GSM network to serve an increased number of subscribers in Yemen. The network expansion initiative, using a Motorola Reach GSM solution, will allow SabaFon to expand in both the northern and southern regions of Yemen.

"Yemen is a strategic market for Motorola in terms of our regional and global strategy to 'connect the unconnected' and boost economic development in emerging geographies. Research has shown that increasing the number of mobile subscribers in developing markets can have a measurable impact on a country's GDP, and GSM network expansions projects like SabaFon's directly benefit consumers through enhanced connectivity," said Ali Amer, senior director of sales, Motorola Networks & Enterprise, Middle East North Africa and Pakistan.

"We are extremely satisfied with Motorola's professional performance since 2003 that reflects our solid and fundamental strategic relationship," said H.E. Sheikh Hameed Al Ahmar, chairman of SabaFon. "The network expansion is an ongoing process and SabaFon is committed to continuous investment in technology and people in order that we can continue to provide the very best service to our growing customer base."

SabaFon is the leading GSM Network Operator in the Yemen Republic, with a license to operate a GSM-900 Network. Their GSM footprint covers all of the major cities and highways in the Yemen Republic. SabaFon was launched in February 2001 and has been working with Motorola since then. Today, SabaFon covers 85% of Yemen's population.