2003
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Bahrain, 8-digit phone numbers
Bahrain switches to eight digit telephone numbers from today for mobile and landline phones. The prefix 17 will be added to the start of all six digit numbers and a 3 added before all the seven digit numbers. For six months callers will be able to use either the old or new numbers.
Etisalat cuts call charges
Etisalat has permanently cut international call charges from landlines, mobile phones and pre-paid mobile services. This makes charges among the lowest in the region. Telecom companies around the world have found that lower call charges actually boost revenue by encouraging more calls.
Adobe forecasts regional growth
Adobe Systems Europe expects to see a spurt in investment in software development in the Middle East, following an all-round drop in software piracy levels across the region. Adobe allows users in Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt to considerably reduce the cost of possessing licensed versions of Adobe software, and is targeting the Middle East as a high-growth area.
Etisalat, online sports channel
Etisalat has launched www.sportsonline.ae to allow viewers to browse and interact with the world's major sporting activities. A variety of innovative features will provide up-to-the-minute coverage, picture galleries, statistics, team profiles, calendars of events, analytical reports and online chat and opinion forums.
Global chip sales rocket
Semiconductor sales rocketed in October with their strongest growth since March 2002, according to the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics Organisation. Chip sales were up 6.8 per cent on September at USD15.4bn. This signals a worldwide pick-up in the IT sector.
BMC, Saudi Aramco roll-out
BMC Software has announced that Saudi Aramco is rolling out a major implementation to ensure better alignment of its computer systems and business processes. The oil giant is presently using BMC solutions to automate job scheduling and to monitor platforms, databases, and applications monitoring. Enterprise security and total event consolidation initiatives are being added.
6.3m pixel compact camera
Fujifilm has unveiled the world's first 6m pixel compact digital camera, the FinePix F610, a new landmark in the progress of digital imaging technology. The compact camera has an F2.8-4.9 zoom lens. Previously only the Canon digital SLR could offer such a large number of pixels which determine the quality of the photo.
Dell pulls plug on India calls
Dell has annouonced that it is no longer routing customer calls to Bangalore, India, after complaints from customers about poor service. The No1 US PC company said the move was an effort to increase efficiency. Many large IT companies have been outsourcing call centres to India.
Online shopping bypasses Mideast
The Middle East is failing to capture online shopping, the fastest growing retail segment in the world. Sources said distributing goods locally was not enough, as a book store would be competing against Amazon.com, for example. However, for selling locally produced goods around the world the Net is being under used, they added.
AME Info, 45,000 users daily
AME Info has become the largest media for business information covering the Middle East. The website is now used by 45,000 people a day who look at an average of 10 pages. This gives AME Info a larger circulation than any magazine and bigger than many daily newspapers in the region.
Iraq minister denies mobile enquiry
Iraq's communications minister has said the delay in the signing of licences with mobile telephone companies is due to a squabble between his ministry and the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority rather than an investigation into the awarding of the contracts, reported the Financial Times.
Comtrust hosts e-students
Comtrust, the e-solutions business division of Etisalat, hosted a group of students from Al Ain's Men's College for a crash course on regional e-business. The daylong visit was broken up in to four parts, with interactive presentations on specific areas of Comtrust's e-business expertise - eSecurity, eHosting and ePayments - and a tour of the data centre.
Omantel, Eid day-one offer
Omantel customers who make an international call between 9am and 1pm on the first day of the Eid Al Fitr holiday will get a 20 per cent reduction. The morning offer from the Oman state telecommunications operator is in the tradition of Eid generosity.
AOL blocked for bypassing proxy
The AOL website has been blocked in the UAE for several days because it was advertising a tunnelling service to avoid the UAE proxy service that allows the authorities to censor the Internet. Etisalat subscribers are advised not to use the service for any criminal or unlawful purpose.
Etisalat cuts call rates for Eid
Etisalat has reduced the cost of international phone calls for UAE customers to mark the Eid Al Fitr holiday. Lower rates continue until Friday. A spokesman said Etisalat wanted customers to stay in touch with friends and family on this auspicious occasion.
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