Palestinian telecom experts are cautiously hopeful that US interest in their campaign for 3G access could unlock the industry’s financial and creative potential. The Palestinian Authority (PA) years ago authorized the mobile providers Jawwal and Wataniya to provide 3G services, but for them to do so also required agreement by Israel to allow them access to the necessary frequencies and to import equipment. The Israelis have for six years rejected their requests.
When US President Barack Obama, a Blackberry enthusiast, visited last month, a Palestinian media consultant plastered West Bank cities with posters reminding him to leave his smartphone at home.
