2005
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Intel's Mideast digital initiative
Intel has launched the 'Intel Digital Transformation Initiative for the Middle East', a comprehensive, multi-year programme that will expand Intel's economic, educational and technology-related support throughout the region. Intel will increase its investment in four key areas: local entrepreneurship, education, digital accessibility and specialized technical competencies.
Tetra first phase complete
The first phase of Qatar Telecom's $11m nationwide Tetra Trunked Radio professional mobile radio network has been completed at Ras Laffan Industrial City, according to CEO Nasser Marafih. Munich-based Rohde & Scwartz and local partner Consolidated Gulf Company installed the system.
GCC plans uniform e-commerce
GCC member states are looking to develop a uniform law on e-commerce, which would include government selling of contracts and electronic paying and fee systems for e-trade between states, according to the UAE Minister of Economy and Planning Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi cited in Gulf News. Abu Dhabi is hosting the first GCC E-Commerce Conference and Exhibition.
Price cuts encourage broadband
More than 26,000 households in the UAE have signed up for broadband internet access since Etisalat cut prices by nearly 50%, according to Emirates Today. Before the promotion on 12 September there were between 1,500 and 2,000 new subscribers per month. Etisalat predicts it will have as many as 85,000 broadband customers by the end of 2005.
Visa, Oracle partnership
Visa International and Oracle are streamlining expense management and reporting by integrating Visa Commercial payment data with Oracle E-Business Suite. Visa says the partnership will result in cost savings for shared corporate customers.
Etisalat defends delete policy
Etisalat has defended its policy of deleting e-mails from eCompany e-mail accounts that are 100 days old, regardless of storage space occupied, reported Gulf News. Etisalat's subsidiary eCompany said in a statement that the policy was prompted by the ever-increasing traffic of electronic mail communication.
Tejari Jordan doubles growth
Tejari Jordan, the B2B online marketplace, says it doubled its growth during the last twelve months due to 150 new members joining, which included banks and manufacturers. In the next quarter it plans to introduce three new procurement services recently previewed at Gitex: Tejari Expert, Tejari Link, and Tejari Tender.
ROKR iTunes phone gloom
Motorola's Rokr iTunes phone, developed with Apple, may not be performing satisfactorily, according to Bloomberg. As many as six times more customers are returning the new handsets as is normal. Motorola CEO Ed Zander has also expressed disappointment with the phone's "rough start" and plans to rework its marketing message.
Police swoop on illegal software
Dubai Police have raided a computer company and confiscated nine PCs and 15 CDs loaded with illegal software, including Windows XP, Office XP and Adobe. Two people were arrested and charged with offences under the Intellectual Property Rights laws. Software piracy cost Middle East retailers $1.2bn in 2004, according to a report by BSA, but the UAE had the region's lowest rate at 34%.
Sony Walkman website
Sony Gulf has hired Dubai-based marketing and design firm Omnia to produce its new MP3 Walkman series website. The bilingual website, www.sony-mea.com/walkman, will have regular updates on the latest downloads, music products and industry-related news. It will also have a bulletin board.
Siemens C75 mobile launch
Siemens has launched the C75, a functional yet attractive mobile phone that suits all budgets. This companion is extremely lightweight at 85 grams and compact and fits snugly into your pocket. With this modern tri-band mobile phone, users can stay in contact nearly everywhere in the world: Dubai, London or New York.
E-biz Challenge road show
The Zayed University Institute for Technological Innovation has started its road show in the UAE which will also tour regional universities to promote the 4th E-biz Challenge. This year's challenge includes e-services in cooperation with Dubai e-Government and a speech recognition portal in partnership with Emerging Technologies.
UAE slashes Broadband prices
Etisalat is offering Broadband Internet at new lower prices during Ramadan and free installation. The basic 256 kps service is down from Dhs190 to Dhs149, while the top 2 Mbps is slashed from Dhs650 to Dhs349. Broadband connections significantly enhance user experience of the Internet.
Laptops to cost below $550
Non-branded laptop prices in the UAE are likely to fall below $550, industry experts told Gulf News. They noted that most US laptop brands are now made in China from parts sourced in Taiwan, and that these same laptops can be sold for 20-25% cheaper without branding. However, many buyers still prefer the back-up support of a large branded company, said industry sources.
Oracle launches middleware
Oracle has launched Oracle Application Server 10g Release 3, a major update to its comprehensive and integrated enterprise Service-Oriented Architecture middleware platform. It will help organizations develop and deploy Service-Oriented Applications on a grid computing architecture; integrate services into enterprise business processes; and secure and manage services, applications and data in a heterogeneous environment.
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