Axiom Telecom inks deal with Screen Media

The deal makes the Far East and the Middle East the first international markets to distribute this state-of-the-art Norwegian technology.

The deal is sign the wholesale telecom business is flourishing handsomely aside retail across the Middle East with demand still growing.

"With the exclusive addition of Screen Media's Freepad, Axiom can consolidate its position as the leading specialist provider of telecom and wireless technology in the region. We are very confident this unique product will be a massive hit with the public especially when they know all the features and the unbeatable price we plan to retail at in this region," noted Faisal Al Bannai, CEO - Axiom Telecom.

"With Screen Media's FreePad, you can surf the net, watch a movie, play a CD or make phone calls from anywhere in your home or office via a radio base station that automatically switches to GPRS for full mobility. The addition of a miniature camera will open up the possibility of fully mobile conference calls," stated a spokesperson for Screen Media.

The FreePad terminal is expected to generate regional sales in the tens of millions of UAE Dirhams and is designed with a user friendly touch screen functionality, it is also e-mail capable. All the different functions are obtainable at the same time if the household/office has ISDN installed.

FreePad also contains a directory function with a synopsis over names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses. It will soon be possible to use FreePad as a control terminal in your smart home, as a remote control for lighting, heat, and television. As an accessory to the FreePad, a wireless video conferencing camera will be available.

"Imagine FreePad as your cooking book in the kitchen, your newspaper in front of the fireplace, your telephone on the terrace, or as your e-chat communicator from the hammock in the garden - the possibilities are innumerable. We know that many people still are afraid of using new forms of technology, but we believe that FreePad will resolve this. The keyword is simplicity, and the product will appear as user friendly, flexible, and innovative that the user will be inspired to take full advantage of the Internet," added Faisal Albannai.

The Norwegian technology company, Screen Media, has positioned itself as a leading supplier in the race for a combined telephony and Internet terminal. Screen Media released the first prototypes of the FreePad at a press conference in Paris last year. The FreePad is based upon a new version of the DECT wireless technology that supports both data and voice. This technology named DECT DMAP is unique because of the ability to simultaneously transfer data and voice over the same ISDN line.

The range of the technology is 300 meters outdoor and 50 meters indoor. Screen Media believe they are ahead of competitors on the technology side. The FreePad is developed with the main focus on user friendliness without no compromise on functionality and information services.

The two Norwegian design companies, Ergonomi Design AS and Fem Design AS, have both contributed in the design of the Freepad and the intuitive user interface. The terminal is 31 cm wide and 26cm deep and will support a 12.1 or 10.4 inch colour touch screen. The LCD based touch screen eliminates the need for a mouse and a keyboard. Information at your fingertips is finally a reality. The FreePad, which is only 10 mm high in the front and 30 mm in the back, weighs only 1.2 kilo. The use of the Linux operating system secures a 1-one second start-up time. Other key parameters are smart card reader/writer, loudspeakers, speakerphone, microphone. The flash disk secures silent operations and the rechargeable batteries will last for 4 hours.

Screen Media's Middle East Partner, Axiom Telecom, is part of local conglomerate, Al Bannai Enterprises. Al Bannai Enterprises is a family-owned group of companies that started its operation in 1960 in Dubai. Today the Group has fourteen different operations in a diversified market place with nearly five hundred employees.

Axiom Telecom is a leading, authorized distributor for Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Siemens, Trium, Motorola, Thuraya, Compaq, C-pen and other leading manufacturers. Axiom specializes in mobile and wireless communication products hence ScreenMedia's preference to work with Axiom. Axiom is backed up by its own state-of-the-art repair center for telecom support and after sales. Axiom have offices in UAE, and Pakistan, and vast network of distributors throughout the Middle East. With such a network Axiom believe they are in an ideal position to service the huge Middle East market for Screen Media's Freepad.