Political heat in the region increases demand on the mobile news service

"Fastlink news service has always been widely welcomed by customers, as it provides fast news alerts to its customers wherever they are, but latest developments in the region has further increased the demand," said a senior company personnel.

Chief Marketing Officer Bashar Arafeh said Fastlink, a member of MTC Group and leading provider in Jordan, provides two news services, one is provided in cooperation with a Jordanian information provider and the other in collaboration with Jazeerah TV in the form of SMS or MMS.

Arafeh pointed that the wide spread of the mobile and the popularity of the SMS as a medium of communication have transformed how people interact and communicate in today's world. "The news content on mobiles," he added, "is one of the chief products of the mobile service, which is now competing other sources of news including radio and newspapers, and even Television." With one out of every four persons owning a mobile phone, competition between other media means and the mobile is becoming fierce, according to Arafeh.

Fastlink has the largest customer base in the Kingdom with over 1.2 million customers. The company has introduced cutting edge technologies to the communications sector so as to present its customers with a wide array of service and products that meet their growing needs. As customers increased, Fastlink looked at ways to transform the mobile from a basic communications device to a multi media tool, providing its customers with both entertaining and informative services. News content received by subscribers includes political and sports content as well as fashion and weather alerts, horoscope, health news and the latest film releases in movie theaters.

This variety of products was one of the factors that attracted more customers over the years that followed Fastlink's establishment. The company took the lead among regional providers to introduce GPRS and Edge, and has completed preparations for the introduction of the third generation of mobile services.

According to Arafeh, the data services revenue share reaches 10% in 2005. Expectations, however, foresee an increase by the end of 2006, bringing about a rise in revenue to reach 20%. This, he said, calls on the company to find new ways to increase customers' interest in these services and make the public more aware of its advantages.

Fastlink, which was established in 1995 and joined MTC Group in 2002, has been playing a pivotal role in the Jordanian communications market by constantly seeking to further advance its services. Currently the company hopes to spread awareness among users of the importance of data services in facilitating people's lives, both at home and in the work place.

Teaming up with Jazeerah TV led to the launch of the mobile news channel, via SMS or MMS, serving to keep people informed and updated on such topics as political developments and sports.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Fastlink has designed an ambitious strategy that focuses on how to stay in the lead, and how to continue as the provider of the most advanced communications solutions in Jordan and the region.