MANAMA: A new telecommunications company was launched in Bahrain yesterday.

The international wireless broadband provider, wi-tribe limited, is a joint venture between Qatar Telecom (Qtel) and Saudi Arabia's A A Turki Corporate Trading and Construction.

The new company aims to deliver instant wireless broadband connectivity from North Africa across the Middle East and up to Asia.

With its regional corporate office in the Bahrain, wi-tribe has the licence to launch services in both Jordan and Pakistan, creating the opportunity for thousands of individuals and businesses to join the worldwide web.

wi-tribe was conceived to bring people from all walks of life together and create a new interactive online community that lives and breathes Internet.

Utilising the latest WiMax technology, wi-tribe will provide broadband Internet access through a portable wireless modem that simply plugs into the customer's computer without the need for a fixed telephone line.

WiMax represents the very latest in hassle-free Internet service provider technology taking away the dependency of the traditional telephone line.

"This is a very proud day for everyone involved with wi-tribe," said wi-tribe chairman and Qtel chief operating officer Shaikh Fahd Al Thani.

"Historically Qtel is defined by its commitment to its customers and to bringing innovation to telecommunications. Consumer broadband is an important pillar of growth for Qtel to achieve its 20:20 vision of becoming one of the top 20 operators in the world by 2020.