Cellucom launches UClub Arabic

The web portal will now provide a wide range of interesting Arabic content for mobile phones, including latest music as Cellucom ties up with Rotana Audio Visual Company, the largest producer and distributor of Arabic music and songs in the world.

UClub was launched in July 2003 and currently offers downloads of wallpapers, games, themes, ring tones, video clips and audio clips, as well as songs in English and Tagalog. UClub also provides Indian content and has exclusive rights with T Series in the GCC region for providing them. The introduction of the Arabic version of the portal will cater to the mobile entertainment needs of the Arabic speaking community across the GCC region and open up a whole new segment for U Club which was missing in its portfolio.

"UClub has become synonymous with providing quality content to mobile phone users across the region, and we are glad to launch this service in Arabic,"

said Arun Nagar, Managing Director, Cellucom. "We have identified a strong demand for Arabic mobile entertainment content across the GCC region, especially among the youngsters who constitute a large percentage of the growing mobile user base in the region."

"Our strategic tie up with Rotana to provide the very best of Arabic music & content will further enhance the popularity of UClub, as Rotana is an established producer and distributor of Arabic music. This will be a mutually beneficial alliance, as Rotana will have an opportunity to strengthen their relationship with their customer base by increasing the channels for customers to receive their content," added Nagar.

UClub provides content suitable for all mobile phone brands - Nokia, Sony Ericsoon, Motorola, Samsung, Imate, Siemens etc. UClub's activities are not confined to mobile phones only, but also include live activities as Cellucom aims to organise UClub member events quarterly. Cellucom is one of the only companies in the GCC region to offer mobile content via their UClub services to such a wide market. Also, Cellucom's UClub has adhered strictly to official licensing, ensuring that all the content on the portal is legally downloadable.

Rotana Audio Visual Company is the world's largest producer of Arabic music and has six free to-air satellite channels, which include Rotana Music, Rotana Clip, Rotana Tarab, Rotana Khlijiyah, Rotana Cinema and Rotana Zaman. Rotana has affirmed its commitment to providing latest artist releases attracting a wide audience globally to all segments of the Arab society through its diversified channels. Rotana is owned and chaired by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.

Cellucom is in the process of becoming one of the fastest growing retail chains in the Middle East, with its strategy of continuously expanding its operations across the region. The company already has a significant presence in the UAE, Kuwait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. Cellucom has adopted a two-pronged approach for its plans in the region by focusing on both its retail outlets and product portfolio expansion. The company is broadening its product line by placing greater emphasis on its concept of 'Mobility' to customers by promoting a range of devices such as laptops and PDAs in addition to mobile phones.