2006
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VeriSign opens Dubai office
California based VeriSign, an operator of a wide range of network infrastructure including .com and .net root name servers, is to open a base in Dubai in January, reported Gulf News. Neil Batstone, Enterprise Sales Director for VeriSign, said the move is mainly to support existing customers. VeriSign also offers services such as digital certificates, payments processing and managed firewalls.
Dubai World picks Websense
Dubai World has implemented Websense's Web Security Suite. The solution is being implemented by the Information Technology Centre, a division of Dubai World that provides centralised IT services for the group, as part of its ongoing efforts to revamp the group's IT infrastructure. ITC wanted to make better use of available bandwidth as well as protect users from viruses and hackers.
du, number registration drive
du CEO Osman Sultan has revealed the company will commence a mobile number booking campaign for customers from November 26 to December 14, with full confirmation of the registered numbers coming on December 28, reported Gulf News. He added that once this initiative is complete, the firm will be close to announcing its prices and a probable launch date. Customers can pay Dhs100 to transfer their seven digit Etisalat number.
Etisalat, Batelco deal
Etisalat and Batelco have signed an agreement during Gulfcomms 2006 in Dubai. Under the agreement, the two Gulf telcos will provide a range of data communication services to their customers and enhance the geographical reach of their operations. The service will be implemented over a regional multi protocol label switching network, which will meet different networking requirements like voice and video conferencing, high-bandwidth data transfers and real-time applications.
Tejari, platform upgrade
Online market place Tejari has launched a major upgrade of its core trading platform. One of the main upgrades will be the extension of Tejari to a complete end-to-end online trading solution. Previously Tejari was able to offer sourcing solutions, but with the new platform, the service will cover the whole requisition process, from initial requests through to invoicing and payment.
DMC, DIC Internet censorship
Internet access in Dubai's Media and Internet Cities is to be censored from early 2007 according to the TRA Director General Mohammed Al Ghanim and cited in Emirates Today. The decision comes as a result of service provider Tecom having a stake in fledgling telco operator du. In order to allow du to offer Internet access beyond these zones, the TRA will introduce a proxy server like that used by Etisalat.
SAP Arabia heads EAS sector
SAP Arabia has said that independent research firm, IDC, has named it as the leader in the enterprise applications software market in the Mena region with 33.1% market share in 2005. Total spending on software solutions in the region reached $187.4m last year, an increase of 16%, and is expected to be worth around $ 371.1m in 2010. Saudi Arabia was the largest market with a 43.9% share.
UAE joins ITU
The UAE has become a member of the International Telecommunication Union, according to the local WAM news agency. The membership was announced on the sidelines of Gitex 2006 by Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, the country's Minister of Government Sector Development and Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
du, one year wait for same prefix
Existing Etisalat mobile customers who decide to switch over to du and want to keep their exact same phone number will have to wait a year for complete number portability to be available, reported Gulf News. New du subscribers will be able to switch their current seven digit number easily enough but will have to alter their prefix from Etisalat's 050 to du's 055.
Qtel, DVB-H service launched
Qatar Telecom has launched a new pilot service that can deliver live television pictures over the company's digital video broadcast - handheld network to enabled mobile handsets. One of the available channels is the recently launched Al Jazeera English. Qtel's new broadcasting network has been readied in time for the 15th Asian Games which take place early next month; Qtel aims to provide up to 13 channels for the pilot.
Local VoIP only in UAE
The UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has said that it will only allow Voice over Internet Protocol technology to be used for local calls within the country, reported Gulf News. Overseas calls using VoIP will continue to be blocked to protect the revenue telecom operators receive from international calls. The TRA has not revealed whether the ban on popular VoIP providers such as Skype is ever likely to be lifted.
Cognos, regional appointment
Cognos has appointed Derek Morrison as the new Regional General Manager for Cognos Middle East. Morrison, a former sales director for Cognos UK Commercial Sector, joined the company in October 2004 via the acquisition of Frango where he was a specialist in Performance Management solutions. Previously, Morrison worked as the Regional Manager, Scotland, for Syscap, the UK's largest independent software leasing company.
Telecom Egypt, price hikes
Telecom Egypt is to increase the cost of domestic calls according to its Chariman Akil Beshir and cited by Reuters. The country's only fixed line operator appears to have the backing of the regulatory authority for the rise due to the imminent liberalisation of the market for international calls in which the firm enjoys a monopoly. The rise would offset some of the company's lost revenue once competition emerges.
900 ICT firms for DIC
Dubai Internet City has said 900 information and communications technology companies have now set up base at the free zone. The ICT hub, which celebrates its sixth anniversary this month, has grown at an average annual rate of 53% since its launch in 2000. The DIC is also pushing on with its Smart City projects and is still negotiating with Malta and the Indian state of Kerala.
DMC, mobile TV trial
Dubai Media City is partnering with du as well as Dubai Media Incorporated and Emirates Media Incorporated to introduce DVB-H, a new mobile TV technology in the UAE. The technology is being demonstrated at the du stand at Gulfcomms 2006, currently underway at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre. DVB-H is short for digital video broadcasting - handheld and DMC will carry out a commercial trial early next year.
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