Zain and TootCorp launch social networking service through the new youth website 'Watwet'

This unique service will be available exclusively to Zain's customers through SMS and will enable them to always stay in touch with their friends and colleagues, wherever they are.

Watwet is set to launch its social networking and mini-blogging service on February 17, 2008 through Watwet website that is considered one of the newest social Arabic websites specialised in social networking. This new service, that links both the mobile and internet services, is expected to attract a high number of youths and university students.

All internet users can constantly stay in touch with their friends by visiting Watwet at www.watwet.com and create their own walls. Zain customers in Jordan will have exclusive access to the mobile services of Watwet via SMS and MMS; resulting in increased instant interaction and ease of use.

Zain Senior Data Manager, Ziad Al -Masri, said:

"Watwet service will allow Zain's customers to always stay in touch with their social life in a hassle-free manner. They will be able to create their own blogs, which will be distinguished from others by having the facility of adding the phone numbers of their friends interested in participating in this service. Their friends can participate by sending and receiving their messages or MMS on their blogs or mobiles through contacting the number 97999."

Watwet will allow people to send one message to all friends using their mobiles or internet, the messages will be received online and through email to all users, while free SMS notifications will reach Zain users only. People will be able to receive messages for free, while sending SMS will cost 3 piasters per message and MMS will cost 9 piasters per message, no matter how many recipients.

Al- Masri added: "Zain always seeks to invest in innovative ideas and to benefit from the great spread of mobile penetration in the Kingdom. People's increase of responsibility and work make mobiles not only an essential tool of communication that adds color to our lives, but also an important tool that helps increase efficiency and productivity."

He said that Zain is providing a diverse database of services through SMS and MMS in the fields of entertainment, news, stock and exchange prices, instant translation and on the social level as well.

Chief Executive Officer of TootCorp, owner of Watwet, Ahmad Humeid, said: "The percentage of mobile spread in the Arab region is higher than the internet penetration rate. This is why we believe that our partnership with Zain - the leading company in providing mobile services in the Kingdom - is considered an important cooperation. This partnership, between two ICT companies, is contributing to the increase in internet penetration by providing easy access to websites through the use of mobiles."

Humeid added that this service targets individuals and companies keen on communicating with their employees in an easy and safe manner. Companies will be able to create corporate blogs on Watwet and add the phone numbers of employees who are subscribed to Zain to be able to communicate with them by SMS.

Last year, Zain launched Ikbis service in cooperation with TootCorp. This service allows all of Zain's customers to enjoy videos captured and uploaded on the Arabic language website, Ikbis.com.

Towards promoting its leading role in the development of the IT sector, Zain is creating a rich IT and service database that adds value to all of Zain's customers using SMS and MMS. Zain has provided a special section for electronic games on the company's website and email as well as 1234 direct services, Samma3ni, and invoice payment and prepaid card top ups through the website.