2005
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Online for Yansab IPO
Saudis looking to pick up shares in the Yanbu National Petrochemical IPO have been asked to lodge applications through ATMs and the Internet, following reports that police were called in to control thousands of investors who had stormed local banks to take up stock on the opening day, reported Arab News.
Batelco, 2006 price cuts
Batelco is planning to cut ADSL rates to businesses by 50% and will reduce prices for all its services in 2006, according to CE Peter Kaliaropoulos. The telco is also investing heavily in Flag Telecom's Falcon cable system, which will allow direct connection between Bahrain and major international business centres at higher speeds than are currently available.
MTI, Afghanistan venture
Dubai-based Modern Technology International has been granted a licence to start telecom services in Afghanistan, reported Gulf News. The company will offer mobile data services and become the third GSM provider in the country, but faces stiff competition from the established telcos, say experts.
Jordan Telecom launches Livebox
Jordan Telecom has introduced its VoIP over DSL commercial service under the name Livebox. The service will give DSL users a high quality double play service at an affordable cost, according to a company statement. Alcatel was responsible for the overall systems integration for the project including Netcentrex application components.
Siemens, railroad communications
A Siemens - Nour Communications consortium has won a contract to upgrade communication links on Saudi's railway network. Siemens will install signals and safety equipment, a GSM network, and video monitoring system for railway crossings on the track between Dammam and Riyadh. Siemens' share of the contract is worth more than $70m.
Software piracy cuts benefit
A 10% reduction in software piracy could increase Kuwait's IT sector growth by 92% through to 2009 according to a report by Business Software Alliance. The sector is currently estimated to grow by 65% in the period. Cuts would also bring about 609 more IT jobs, and add $349m to Kuwait's GDP.
Mobile TVs at CABSAT
Mobile phones with televisions will be on show at the 12th Middle East International Cable, Satellite, Broadcasting & Communications Exhibition being held in Dubai in March 2007. The devices are expected to be available in the Middle East by 2007.
Syria extends line network
Syria has taken out a $120m loan with the European Investment Bank to pay for the extension of its fixed line telephone network to remote areas of Syria. The project will connect 430,000 new users across 4,300 villages located in mostly rural areas across the country to the telephone network.
Wataniya, more wireless access
Wataniya Telecom has expanded broadband wireless access in the country through its W-NET card. The card can be installed on any laptop and is automatically activated at the point of purchase. It allows wireless connection speeds up to 200 Kbps.
Nawras roams in the UAE
Oman-based Nawras has introduced a prepaid roaming service in the UAE by arrangement with Etisalat. Under the deal, Nawras Mousbak or Nawras MousbakPlus subscribers can make and receive calls and SMS messages whilst in the UAE.
Digital security in spotlight
Oman is hosting a three-day conference at which experts will discuss ways to combat the sharp rise in computer virus and hacker attacks in 2005. Muscat Municipality President Abdullah bin Abbas reminded IT sector professionals of their ethical obligation in working to restrict the illegal acquisition of classified and restricted information.
STC, 11m mobile users
Saudi Telecom says it signed up 1.4m new mobile telephone subscribers in a November 2005, representing a growth of 15%. The telco now has 11m subscribers, making it the largest mobile provider in the region.
E-View, postpaid movie option
Emirates Cable TV and Multimedia has announced the introduction of a new payment option for E-View customers, the advanced interactive pay-per-view service. This new method of movie purchasing provides E-Vision customers, selecting a movie on e-View, the option to pay at the time of setting their monthly bill, thus saving them pre-payment worries and inconvenience.
UAE hooked on email
Symantec has announced new research conducted amongst 1,700 users across Europe and the Middle East, which reveals that the UAE could be a country of email addicts. The study identified that 75% of respondents across the EMEA admit that the use of email is addictive, with 36% of UAE residents falling into a new category of emailer called the dependent - individuals who check for email compulsively and panic when they cannot get access.
3G study led by Qtel
Qatar Telecom is leading a study project by three Qatari universities into 3G mobile phone technology. The study by Texas A&M University at Qatar, College of the North Atlantic and Qatar University will conduct 18 months of research into the functionality and technology of 3G.
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