Content providers have access to 31 million mobile subscribers in the Middle East through Info2cell.com's DIC WASP platform

Based at Dubai Internet City, the WASP platform of Info2cell.com offers the most advanced mobile messaging technology to enable content providers to deliver messages and data to mobile phones, including SMS, MMS, WAP, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), Video, Ring-Tones, Picture Messages, Interactive TV services, Interactive radio Services, Bulk SMS services and Java games. The platform also enables Mobile Applications providers with the ability to co host their application at Info2cell.com hosting facility and Mobile enable their applications to the region.

Among the major customers of Info2cell.com's WASP service are leading news and information providers such as AFP, BBC, AME Info, Rotana and Al Bawaba.com. Info2cell.com has established links with 11 service providers covering the GCC and the Levant region in order to expand the subscriber base. Additionally, the WASP facilities can provide access to millions of subscribers in Europe and North America through its parent company, Acotel.

"The Middle East media industry has witnessed an unprecedented growth in recent years. Satellite television and the Internet have brought about a major revolution on the media scene. New technology and the resultant options to choose the desired content are placing new challenges before content providers who are required to explore new delivery channels to stay ahead of competition," said Bashar Dahabra, Founder and General Manager, Info2cell.com.

"Info2cell, backed by the expertise of Acotel which has had extensive experience in creating delivery solutions in the European markets, is now providing Middle East content providers a next-generation platform to tap the potential for more innovative applications of mobile phone technology. We have invested US$ 3 million to set up a state of the art facility for customized messaging solutions for regional and international companies," Dahabra added.

Info2cell.com's new service is designed to provide various types of services relating to information content (news updates and general information), entertainment content (games, ring tones and images), multimedia content (MMS) and application content (chat, email, calendar and web to SMS). It can provide video-streaming and audio-streaming content in both push and pull models to suit customer requirements.

The company is targeting existing content providers such as TV and radio networks, news portals and publication houses as well as professionals like Poets, Financial Analysts, Sports Writers, Photographers, Graphic Designers and Cartoonists who wish to deliver content to target customers.

The Info2cell.com WASP platform provides a ready infrastructure for content providers, who would normally have to spend anything between US$ 1 to US$ 2 million on the two critical components of Mobile Messaging Gateway, Value Added Service Servers (VAS) and a Content Management System, in addition to the variable costs of hardware, software, systems maintenance, human support and office space if they were to set up their own systems.

The new facility brings numerous benefits to clients. By subscribing to Info2cell.com's WASP platform, content providers can enjoy time to market saving of between 12 and 18 months and financial savings of over US$ 1 million. It also assures quick returns. Further, ready solutions for handling billing complexities are part of the platform allowing clients to user their existing billing interfaces while dealing with payments in different currencies. The system also allows clients to utilize their own channels for promoting the service through a Bulk SMS and Bulk MMS services.

The new platform has been designed to cater to the future applications of mobile phone technology, as it supports GSM, GPRS and 3G networks. It also offers multi lingual options, with a choice of languages that include Arabic, English, Italian, Spanish and French. The platform permits multiple subscription facilities through SMS subscription, web based subscription, WAP subscription and IVR subscription. Info2cell.com's WASP ensures guaranteed uninterrupted service due to the leading edge systems that power the platform at Dubai Internet City.

Info2cell.com is offering attractive and flexible terms to the region's content providers, with two options. A revenue sharing arrangement allows clients to share revenue according to an agreed formula. The other option is to pay a fixed set-up fee and a regular monthly fee.

A number of content providers have already joined the platform. BBC and AME Info.com use the service to deliver their news and info alerts to mobile subscribers across the region. Acomedia has subscribed to the service for delivering MMS content and Java games. Jinny from Ireland is using the service for launch of trial of its SMS chat, SMS email, SMS calendar and notification systems.