2003
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New Lotus Notes version launched
IMB has launched Lotus Notes and Domino 6.5 in the Middle East. They integrate IBM Lotus Instant Messaging and Web Conferencing functions allowing users to initiate instant messaging sessions directly from their in-box or from within a collaborative application. The two are being offered with an early-bird discount.
MTC to first link Iraq to Kuwait
MTC's GSM network in southern Iraq will be operational initially through a link with MTC's network in Kuwait. It will then be separated so as to allow access through Iraq's own international dialling code, MTC officials said. Call costs will initially be in US dollars and will range from USD0.10-0.40.
Omantel awards USD46.87m contract
Omantel has signed agreements worth USD40.87m to improve telecom services and expand GSM network. The major contract of USD40.36m was with Siemens and involves GSM expansion in Dhakhliya, Sharqiyah and Dhahirah regions. Siemens will set up 24 new stations and expand 18 existing ones plus two main control units at Dhakhliyah and Sharqiyah.
Mideast GSM numbers up sharply
Mideast GSM subscribers are expected to reach a record 21.42m by the year-end and to 28.26m by 2004-end, experts said at the two-day GSM in the Mideast and Gulf conference that ended in Dubai on Wednesday. Subscribers number 17.56m as of June-end, a rise of 39 per cent.
Atheer to have Iraqi investors
Southern Iraq GSM operator, Atheer, will source 50 per cent of its equity from Iraqi investors, who have set up a new firm, Digla Telcom. The balance will come from Kuwait's MTC Group. Atheer is operated and managed by MTC, a leading mobile telecom operator in Kuwait.
Oracle gets MEA contract
Oracle said Middle East Airlines, Lebanon's national carrier, is deploying elements of the Oracle E-Business Suite to provide higher standards of service to customers while enhancing back office functions and control over the company's internal operations. The contract will include streamlining financial, human resources, procurement, sales, marketing, service and CRM functions.
Lack of venture capital in IT
Lack of venture capitalists in Mena may impede growth plans for IT sector, says Injazat Technology Fund, which intends to fill this gap through a campaign to partner local business houses, in their growth and expansion plans. The venture capital market is still in its infancy in the region. Local IT firms have to rely on banking institutions to back their ventures.
3G service in UAE from next year
Etisalat said it will introduce 3G mobile phone services in the UAE from next year. 3G trials were started a year ago. Etisalat is now at the evaluation stage with service scheduled to be implmented next year, officials said. The aim is to provide a smart home, smart office environment.
Panasonic to show lightest laptop
Panasonic will showcase the world's lightest rugged laptop with integrated DVD-ROM/CD-RW Drive at Gitx. Toughbook CF-W2 features ultra-thin design, amazing processing power, wireless connectivity and energy efficiency with up to seven hours of battery runtime. It comes with full magnesium alloy case.
Mobile show guides at Gitex
Visitors to Gitex can download mobile exhibition guides using infrared and bluetooth devices on their mobile phones or PDAs, the DWTC said. It has placed dedicated booth outside Halls 1,5 and 8. The service will facilitate easy navigation of the show, it said.
Saudi ranked 45th in eReadiness
Saudi Arabia has been ranked 45th in eReadiness among the world's 60 largest economies in an EIU and IBM survey. The rankings applied only to the world's largest economies and consequently did not take into consideration other smaller GCC countries like UAE and Kuwait which are said to have a higher eReadiness satus.
Wataniya has 50,000 users in Iraq
The winner for the GSM contract in northern Iraq, Kuwait-based Wataniya Telecom, already has 50,000 subscribers in Kurdish areas. Officials told Khaleej Times, the firm already has some existing infrastructure in its area unlike the othet two operators. Wataniya is now looking to bid for Lebanon, which is expected to open the market in 2005.
Siemens consolidates at DIC
Siemens has consolidated its regional operations and in the process has become the largest tenant at Dubai Intrenet City with its new building sprawling over 52,255 sqft. The facility will accommodate more than 400 staff from the group's various business units in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Yemen.
Omantel launches mobility service
Omantel Mobility Services have been launched in Oman under which subscribers will get mobile access to their Microsoft Exchange 2003 messaging on a variety of GSM and other networks. It will also allow businesses to set up domain names with personalised Microsoft email addresses and other facilities.
Microsoft restructures Mideast
Five Mideast subsidiaries of Microsoft - North Gulf, South Gulf, Arabia, Eastern Mediterranean and Egypt - will now report directly to the global firm's Mideast and Africa headquarters. The move reflects their growing maturity and is consequenty aimed to grant them more autonomy, Microsoft said.
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