FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Apr. 17, 2003

THURAYA PHONE BAN LIFTED BY COALITION FORCES

CAMP DOHA, KUWAIT- A ban imposed by the Coalition Forces Land Component Command on the use of Thuraya satellite phones has been lifted.

Coalition forces had previously prohibited the use of the phones by military personnel and embedded media due to security concerns, which have since been reduced.

Reporters who are embedded with, or who plan to embed with Coalition forces in Iraq are now permitted to use the phones with the caveat that they provide certain technical information to public affairs representatives.

Media using, or planning to use Thuraya phones are requested to abide by the following procedures:

PRESENTLY-EMBEDDED MEDIA: Provide the following information to the lowest echelon military public affairs representative upon receipt of this notification:

(1) The international mobile equipment identification (IMEI) number.

(2) The 13 digit telephone number (first four digits begin with 8821).

(3) SIM card number.

(4) Name and organization of the primary user.

MEDIA PLANNING TO EMBED: Provide the aforementioned information (1-4 above) to Coalition Press Information Center representatives during the registration process.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Apr. 17, 2003