Etisalat says GITEX 2005 unbounded success

Launches and demonstrations of innovative services were the highlights of the display area, while the management and senior staff used the networking opportunities to interact with the industry representatives and members of the media. The Corporation's presence was themed 'Your ambitions... Our achievements', and all services launched and displayed were targeted at enhancing business efficiency, personal productivity, as well as entertainment.

Mohammad Hassan Omran, Chairman and CEO, Etisalat, said: "GITEX is the most effective ICT event to connect with our customers, partners, and industry peers. This year, we have succeeded in effectively utilizing all the opportunities presented- with our customers and business partners. With the excitement and anticipation in the industry now, we have proven that we are ready to work and show our commitment to our customers in the new era."

A key mobile service that was launched was Push To Talk. Etisalat is the first operator in the region to launch this service, with Nokia providing the technological platform. Push To talk allows suitably-enabled mobile phones to be used in a group as a walky-talky, enabling instant one-to-many communication. The 3G Data Card launched at GITEX offers customers high-speed internet (384kbps) while being on the move, operating on the 3G or GPRS network.
Innovative services that would be launched soon in the UAE, and were demonstrated at the GITEX stand include the TV streaming application for 3G mobiles. Displays of these mobile phones at the Etisalat stand drew a large number of visitors to the stand, and with the promotion of upgrading any SIM card to a 3G card for free, many mobile users now avail of the advanced options on 3G.

With the proposed launch of the Push Email service that allows users to check and act on emails on the move, business mobility is expected to take on a whole new meaning. Users will be able to not only send and receive emails on their smartphones or PDAs but also forward, reply, add/view/edit attachments, and all these actions will be reflected in the mail as if the user is using it on the computer.

The innovative Etisalat Messenger service that was demonstrated enables users to use their mobile phone as an instrument for chatting with their contacts. Users can interact with users of MSN messenger, Yahoo messenger, AOL and many other popular services.

The advantages of using a mobile to access Location-based Services were demonstrated, wherein customers can query areas and utilities close to their current locations. Through the demonstrations of Seamless Mobility and Liquid Media, Etisalat gave visitors a glimpse of the future, when all devices will come together seamless to give the user an uninterrupted experience.

While the most eye-catching demonstrations consisted of services for mobiles, key divisions of Etisalat including eCompany and Etisalat Academy demonstrated and launched innovations and services of immense appeal to the GITEX visitor and the customer.

At GITEX 2005, eCompany highlighted its various access packages including Al Shamil broadband Internet for homes, iZone wireless hotspot service and managed Leased Line services. On the corporate front in terms of eBusiness, eCompany previewed the BizDirect payment system aimed at bringing together two or more businesses to transact and facilitate direct debit payment between their accounts.

eCompany also received enthusiastic response from consumers for its Mobile payments demo service at Gitex which aims at providing consumers with a simple, convenient and secure way of making payments using any mobile, for a wide variety of services. Two new alliances with CNS (Computer Network Systems) and Sakhr Software were also announced during Gitex thereby giving a further boost to eCompany's successful Partner Programme.

Etisalat had entered the week of GITEX by announcing promotions and special offers enabling mobile users- old and new- to reach new levels in their mobile experience. A popular feature that Etisalat now offers to its prepaid 'Wasel' customers is the option of shifting with the same number and SIM card to the postpaid system. Customers need to visit an Etisalat Business Centre with the appropriate documentation to make the transition.