Fastlink customers connect to the internet at Amman's popular cafes via WiFi

As part of its efforts to increase internet penetration in Jordan and within its framework to achieve the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II by transforming Jordan into a regional hub for information technology and telecommunications.

The new service, provided free of charge until September 30, allows Fastlink 1,5 million customers to connect to the internet using a fast WiFi connection powered by Link. Customers now will enjoy browsing the internet or work while enjoying their drinks and meals.

"Fastlink again leads the way by converging mobile and internet technologies and providing new and user-friendly services that cater for customer's needs," said Ziad Masri, Fastlink's Data Manager. "We have installed the necessary equipment and customers can enjoy the service now."

Link, which is affiliated with Fastlink, the leading GSM operator in the Kingdom, offers Internet services to three categories of users, namely households, small and medium size businesses and large institutions. Moreover, the list of services offered by the company includes prepaid and post paid subscriptions, and dial-up connection services, high speed leased lines services, (ISDN), digital communication lines services (ADSL). Also, there are a number of services and varied solutions which were especially designed to suit the various needs.

"The new forward movement of the company came in the wake of a deep assessment of the needs of the Jordanian market with a view to offering services that are suitable for the requirements of the subscribers," added Samer Bazyan, Business Development Senior Manager at Fastlink & Link General Manager. He said the company aims to play a major and effective role in developing and broadening the Internet sector and to increase the number of users in the Kingdom thus contributing to efforts to make Jordan a regional center for information technology and communication in the Middle East region.

The rate of Internet use in Jordan is still low compared with other advanced countries. In fact, the number of users does not exceed 1.8% of the population of the Kingdom.

Bazyan said that the strategy of Link is rooted in the strategy of the mother company Fastlink insofar as relying on pioneering technology and offering the most up to date technologies in the world for the Jordanian citizen. He explained that the company has set as an objective serving the various sectors in the Kingdom and providing the latest techniques in the field of conveying data, and offering services to private companies and governmental institutions while linking them to the Internet at high speeds.

The new Link service is now available at two of Amman's prominent cafes: Blue Fig and Books@Café, and will be extended to cover more cafes and public places such as malls and hotels.

"We realize that today's customers needs have changed, they want to be connected with the world at all times. Whether during their morning coffee time, lunch break, or even afternoon and weekend outings, Fastlink customers can now find a fast internet connection which they can rely on for all their needs," said Masri.

Customers with an active Fastlink account and a WiFi enabled laptop or handset can use this service by sending an SMS command (WiFi) to short code (90908). An SMS will be sent back to the customer including a user name and password, which customers can use to connect to the Internet. The username and password will remain with customers so they can log on the internet using this service anytime they wish.

The wireless Internet service (WiFi), assures an extremely fast Internet connection. This high-tech service will enable the subscribers to send and receive data anywhere in the world through a very fast connection to the Internet.