Viva launches Viva Shabik service

Bringing the excitement of online social networking to the mobile phone is Viva Shabik, which literally means "connected" in Arabic. This communication and interaction platform unifies the best of what the internet has to offer under one roof. Shabik provides subscribers with a single port of call to exchange and discuss opinions on a wide variety of topics ranging from Islam, arts and poetry to sports, technology and money markets. It also helps customers stay up to speed with the latest local and international news, sports and financial bulletins and daily weather forecasts. In effect, Viva Shabik serves as a portal to nearly all internet-based applications, taking the online world from the desktop computer to the mobile phone.

Additionally, Viva Shabik will provide customers with an opportunity to maintain their accounts, backup their contacts and manage their telephony requirements with Viva's Self Care portal.

"We're always looking for ways to enhance our subscriber's experience, and to equip them with new ways to interact and connect with integrated social networking tools."

said Hind AL-Nahed, Viva's PR and Communications Manager.

"Shabik is our latest effort, and not only does it give you access to all of your social networking accounts through a single platform, it also allows you to communicate with other Shabik subscribers, and provides you with an opportunity to create your own Shabik profile page," she said.

AL-Nahed also explained that Viva Shabik affords subscribers with live email access from Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo! and POP3 accounts. Emails appear immediately upon arrival and can then be replied to, forwarded or deleted. To compliment this host of features, Viva Shabik can also be set up to provide instantaneous translation from English to Arabic and vice versa.

"Subscription is easy," noted AL-Nahedh. "Customers can simply send the keyword (4) via SMS to the number (250) to activate the platform. Once they receive the confirmation message welcoming them to Shabik Unlimited, subscribers can then take advantage of its exciting features for limited time for free. We look forward to seeing it in use."