2006
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Du deadline nears
UAE telco Du must launch its services by 12 February 2007, or face possible penalties including fines, according to the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, cited by Gulf News. Du CEO Osman Sultan told the daily a launch date will be announced soon.
Bahrain raids IT pirates
Bahrain's Ministry of Information has raided two IT resellers, confiscating two computers and 89 CDs with pirated software. The raids were part of a drive to enforce intellectual property rights laws in the kingdom, and were carried out in partnership with Microsoft and the Business Software Alliance.
UAE blocks Google cache
The UAE has extended its internet censorship to block Google's cache of webpages. Google cache can be used to view sites that may be down, or are too slow to load. The UAE also recently blocked the popular community Deviantart.com, used by 3.5 million artists, writers and photographers.
Nawras $50m Ericsson deal
Local telco Nawras has signed Ericsson for a $50m network rollout in Oman, Times of Oman reported. The contract calls for Ericsson to extend Nawras' network over three years that will offer coverage to 96% of the population. The deal covers radio and core network, site acquisition, planning and civil works.
Sony's 52'' Bravia LCD TV out
Sony Gulf is now selling its 52-inch Bravia LCD TV in the UAE. It features full HD capability reproducing an HD1080 picture exactly as transmitted, which Sony claims is the highest quality HD video resolution currently available in the consumer market. The TV is available at all Jumbo Electronics outlets.
Acer gets new regional head
Acer Computer Middle East has appointed Shashank Sharma as new country manager overseeing operations in Saudi, Egypt and East Africa. Sharma comes to the position from his post as Acer's commercial manager for southern Africa and Mauritius. Acer Computer Middle East holds the number two spot for notebook sales in the MEA region, according to IDC figures.
Microsoft Doha releases
Microsoft Qatar has released Windows Vista, 2007 Microsoft Office and Exchange Server 2007 for its volume licensing customers in Doha. Windows Vista and 2007 Office will be released to consumers and organisations without volume license agreements on 30 January 2007.
Safer laptop batteries
Matsushita is mass producing a heat resistant battery for laptops, to try and solve recent problems with overheating, the BBC reports. Dell had to recall 4.1m Sony-manufactured batteries earlier this year, and Matsushita and Sanyo have also had problems with overheating. The new batteries include an insulating layer of metal oxide on the surface of their electrodes.
Batelco wins FBWA license
Batelco has won a $1.8m bid for a 3.5GHz fixed broadband wireless access license in Jordan, through its majority-owned telco Umniah. Batelco also has an interest in Jordan's telecoms sector through subsidiary Batelco Jordan.
Mercator wires up Malaysian
Mercator, the IT division of Emirates Group, has completed a multi-million dollar contract with Malaysia Airlines for a revenue accounting system. Under the system, Malaysian will send electronic data and scanned ticket images to Mercator's facilities in Dubai for analysis.
Mobily lowest mobile rates
Mobily has introduced Saudi's lowest minute rate and a monthly fees for postpaid mobile subscribers, Arab news reports. Two packages - Mobily Khatty and Mobily Khatty Plus - have monthly fees of SR40 and SR20, and charge 45 halalas and 30 halalas per minute respectively.
Linksys iPhone unveiled
Linksys, a division of Cisco Systems, has introduced its iPhone, a VoIP handset that uses the internet to make a call rather than a regular mobile network, The Age reports. Cisco has owned the iPhone trademark since 2000, despite analysts believing that Apple would be unveiling an iPhone at its January expo. The Linksys iPhone is priced from $80 to $370.
DIP, Syscom tie-up
Dubai Investments Park has finalised an agreement with Syscom Emirates to offer system integration solutions and services to all tenants located in the park. Syscom Emirates is owned by M'Sharie, a fully owned subsidiary of Dubai Investments. The company's products and services include PBX and customer premises equipment, IP telephony solutions, fibre optic devices, CCTV software and equipment, structured cabling and maintenance of fibre optic networks.
Intel connects Egyptian village
Working with Egypt's government, business and education leaders, Intel has installed a WiMAX network in the Egyptian village of Oseem as part of its World Ahead Programme. Intel has connected two public schools, a health care centre on wheels, a municipal building and an e-government services kiosk. Intel also donated and installed computers in the health centre and PC labs at the two schools.
Emap appoints new CTO
The Emap Group, Middle East has appointed Erik Stensgaard as its new Chief Technology Officer. Stensgaard had previously been with AME Info, recently acquired by Emap, for the past four years. He will take control of the IT infrastructure for the expanded business and will be charged with developing the IT strategy, as well as delivering solutions that drive business efficiency.
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