2004
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IBM PC supplies safe
Middle East supplies of IBM computers will not be affected by the USD1.25bn deal to sell its PC business to Chinese-based Lenovo, according to an IBM executive. IBM is in the top three for laptop, and the top five for desktop sales in the region.
Mobiles, PDAs new viruses
Data-centric mobile phones and PDAs used in the region are likely to become targets for virus writers due to their rising popularity, security firm Trend Micro is warning. Worm and Trojan viruses attacked Symbian-operated and Bluetooth-enabled phones in 2004, with further assaults and new viruses likely in 2005.
LG unveils 71-inch PDP
LG Electronics has unveiled the world's largest 71-inch Plasma Display Panel TV. LG overcame technological difficulties to successfully develop the high-definition TV with a contrast ratio of 16:9 and an embedded picture-enhancement chip XD engine.
IBM sells PC arm to Lenovo
IBM is selling its PC-making business to China's largest personal computer maker, Lenovo Group, for USD1.25bn. The deal, which forms the world's third-largest PC business, brings Lenovo to the world stage and frees IBM to focus on higher-margin businesses.
AD, EDS, Injazat JV
Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Development Company and Electronic Data Systems of the US have joined forces to establish Injazat Data Systems to offer a wide range of outsourcing services in the UAE. Injazat will lever the global experience of EDS in this growing market, said officials.
Umm Suqeim e-library opens
The first electronic library in the Gulf is set to open in Umm Suqeim this month with access to thousands of books online. Readers will also be able to browse magazines and newspapers, electronic periodicals, documents, photos and documentary films.
UAE Net access overpriced
Broadband Internet access in the UAE costs almost three times as much as in the US, experts told Gulf News. Many users complained that the higher charges were holding back the development of a modern economy in the UAE. They felt there was no reason why Broadband Internet should be so expensive.
WiFi summit oversubscribed
Interest in the Middle East Smartphone and WIFI WIMAX Summit surpassed organisers' expectations, with the first day over-subscribed. Major topics included the liberalisation and deregulation in the regional telco sector, and a look at advanced and next-generation services.
Rapid Bluetooth growth
Growth in Bluetooth-enabled headsets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa will outpace that in other parts of the world, according to research from Jabra. CEO Vincent Pena says that sales will double in 2005 and 2006, driven by hands-free legislation for drivers, 3G multimedia demand, and the increasing availability of Bluetooth-enabled handsets.
STC defends customer base
Saudi Telecom is trying to secure current customers and attract new subscribers in the face of UAE-based Ettihad Etisalat's entry into the Saudi mobile phone market. STC has launched an award scheme for customers where points gained for subscriptions, phone usage and bill payments can be redeemed for awards. STC currently has 12.5m users including nine million mobile phone customers.
Alcatel, Ettihad Etisalat win
French telcom giant Alcatel is to supply the GSM network for Ettihad Etisalat's second mobile phone network in Saudi Arabia. It is to be operational by Q1 2005, and will involved the latest technology. The value of the contract was not disclosed.
Dubai, 30 illegal PCs seized
Police seized 30 computers loaded with illegal software in a raid on a Dubai training centre, reported Wam. The PCs were running on illegal software that infringed the intellectual copyright of software developers, said officials.
Wi-fi tops Smartphones Summit
The Middle East Smartphones Summit opens today in Dubai with wireless Internet the next big mass technology about to take off, said the organisers. Wi-fi connection technology is used with PDAs and laptop computers with high speed access speeds, and is rapidly gaining popularity.
IBM to sell its PC division
IBM has hired investment bankers Merrill Lynch to find a buyer for its PC business. Possible buyers include other manufacturers or a private equity fund, said the New York Times. Analysts said the business would fetch USD1-2bn but was a millstone for IBM due to the low profit margins on PCs.
Wataniya, high speed upgrade
Wataniya Telecom has inked an agreement with Ericsson to implement a network upgrade that will support a new level of high-speed services. The majority of Kuwait's leading mobile network infrastructure being upgraded to deliver high speed access that will support next generation video streaming, data access and services.
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