2005
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Etisalat to block Net telephony
Etisalat is in talks with UK firm Bitek International about installing a system that would block Internet phone calls unless they were on an Etisalat system, reported Gulf News. The Guardian system is effective at blocking popular Internet phone systems like Skype which are presently undetectable by Etisalat.
Tejari goes to Saudi
Tejari has entered into a partnership with Saudi's Technology Investments, which specialises in IT industries, to bring its online B2B selling operations to the Kingdom. The large Saudi market is seen as a big part of Tejari's regional expansion strategy. The Saudi e-commerce market is expected to be worth $15bn by 2008, primarily dominated by B2B transactions.
Pirated CDs, software destroyed
Abu Dhabi officials have destroyed more than 24,000 pirated CDs and computer software programs that violated intellectual property law. The items had been seized following a recent inspection drive by the Ministry of Information and Culture.
LG handset plans
LG electronics is targeting mobile handset sales worth $300m in the Middle East and Africa in 2005. It is aiming for a 50% global growth to become the third largest supplier of handsets within two years, and within five years wants half its sales to come from handsets, up from 28% in 2004.
LG's thin 3G clamshell
LG Electronics has released the LG-U880 mobile which, at 18.2mm, it says is the world's slimmest 3G clamshell phone on the market. It has an MP3 player which can store more than 20 songs, video telephony, a 1.3 mega-pixel camera, and supports Transflash external memory and Bluetooth.
Nokia unveils 9300i smartphone
Nokia has introduced the latest in its high-end smart phone range, the Nokia 9300i. The phone supports E-GPRS and WLAN 802.11g, five party conference calling via an integrated speakerphone and multiple email clients, as well as integrating infrared and Bluetooth capabilities. Delivery is planned for Q1 2006
Lebanon rethinks mobile contracts
Existing contracts with Lebanon's two mobile phone operators should be re-examined to better serve the local market, according to newly appointed director of OGERO, the government owned telecom operator. He says the contracts are hindering the development of the telecom sector and preventing investment in the mobile phone sector, reported The Daily Star.
UAE domain name website launched
EmiratesDomainRegistrar.com has launched a website for registration of domain names, a service which is aimed at the local market. Prices start from $7.95 for a domain name which includes web hosting. Visit www.EmiratesDomainRegistrar.com.
Damas online with MBS
Damas has put 100 retail outlets in the UAE online with MBS Navision system by Landsteinar. The system gives information on stock, sales and transfers to sales and other management sections, with each individual jewellery piece bar-coded.
Etisalat expands business hours
Etisalat's Dubai business centres will now be open from 8am to 6pm Saturday to Thursday, with the main centre in Deira open from 8am to 8pm, according to statement by the telco. Centres will be open 8am to 1.30pm Thursdays.
Siemens, $20m Oman GSM job
Siemens Communications has signed $20m deal with Oman Mobile to extend GSM radio capacity and coverage in Oman's Sharqiya, Dakhliya, Dharia and Wusta regions. The deal represents the third phase of Oman Mobile's GSM network upgrade through Siemens, which now boasts one million subscribers across the Sultanate.
Mideast readers move online
Middle Eastern residents are increasingly turning to the Internet for their news, and away from other media. The latest ABC audit of leading regional Internet news provider AME Info showed a 175% leap in readers in the past six months. However, this enthusiasm for the Net has not yet been reflected in e-commerce volumes which remain low by world standards.
Cisco Networking Academy
The Cisco Networking Academy has been launched in Abu Dhabi in association with the Al Hosn University. The aim is to provide an umbrella organisation for UAE university students looking for a career in information technology and to prepare students for IT careers.
India goes for Gulf
Indian businesses are increasingly looking for online exposure in the Gulf, as internet penetration soars in the subcontinent, according to Rajesh Nair, Country Manager India, AME Info. A UN report reveals that India now has 35 million Internet subscribers after experiencing a 90% increase over the last twelve months, placing it ahead of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan in take-up rate.
Q-Tel cuts call rates
Qatar Telecom has cut the rates of local mobile phone calls by over 20%, and says it will reduce international call rates by early 2006. The changes apply for both pre-paid and post-paid subscribers.
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