Sony Ericsson offers Xperia Play in the UAE
Sony Ericsson has launched Xperia Play Android-based smartphone in the UAE.
The Xperia Play offers an immersive gaming experience, with a five-megapixel auto focus camera with four-inch480—854 FWVGA multi-touch screen suitable for recording video or video chat.
The device’s 400MB memory can be expanded with an additional micro SD memory card up to 32GB for higher data storage capacity.
Xperia Play has access to PlayStation game content provided through the PlayStation Suite initiative, currently under development by Sony Computer Entertainment. This is due for launch later this year.
Etisalat inks new e-waste deal with Enviroserve (UAE)
Etisalat has signed a deal with specialist e-waste company Enviroserve to develop recycling programmes for mobile phones and other gadgets across 18 of its markets.
As per the deal, the two companies will look to develop initiatives to safely dispose of e-waste such as old mobile phones and other electronic items.
Etisalat has been working with Enviroserve since 2007, with its Envirofone campaign, which has collected 450 tons of electronic waste in the UAE. The ‘Envirofone’ initiative and the expertise that goes with it will now be exported to each of Etisalat’s subsidiary markets.
Etisalat expands recycling with Enviroserve (UAE)
Etisalat has signed an agreement with specialist e-waste company Enviroserve to develop recycling programmes for mobile phones and other gadgets across 18 of its markets.
As per the agreement, the two companies will look to develop initiatives to safely dispose of e-waste such as old mobile phones and other electronic items.
Etisalat has been working with Enviroserve since 2007, with its Envirofone campaign, which has collected 450 tons of electronic waste in the UAE.
The ‘Envirofone’ initiative and the expertise that goes with it will now be exported to each of Etisalat’s subsidiary markets.
Etisalat to launch carrier billing on Ovi Store purchases (UAE)
Nokia and Etisalat have announced that consumers across Middle East will soon be able to purchase content from the Ovi Store with billing directly to their mobile phone account.
The service will either be charged as part of the customer’s monthly bill for post paid accounts, or deducted from their Pre-Paid airtime credit.
In addition to operator billing through Etisalat, consumers will continue to have the existing payment option via credit card. The operator billing will be available in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt during 2011 and the cooperation will be extended to other Etisalat operations in the Middle East and Africa region going forward.
According to H.E. Mohammed Omran, Etisalat Chairman, they are certainly delighted to partner with Nokia in driving the demand of high quality applications and technology. The growth in the applications industry and the readiness of today`s consumers to adopt new technologies is a ramp curve to pursue. Etisalat is always committed to invest in leading technology with significant players and leaders in the industry. Partnering with Nokia given their industry expertise and their global know-how will aid Etisalat Group to continue their growth and reinforce our position as a technological leader in the global market place.
Rakbank introduces mobile banking services (UAE)
Rakbank has announced the launch of its mobile banking service, an alternative channel that provides customers with the opportunity of conducting banking transactions via their mobile phones.
Rakbank’s Mobile Banking is available on smartphones as well as conventional mobiles. The Mobile Banking Application is available for smartphone users of Etisalat and Du.
Alternatively, the Mobile Banking Service, which is currently available for Etisalat subscribers, gives customers the opportunity to dial *169# from their mobile phone and receive access to a menu of services.
Both of these solutions enable customers to track their accounts, loans and credit cards as well as access services such as balance enquiries, utility payments and fund transfers. In addition, Rakbank’s mobile banking platform offers the service of ‘Contact Us’ through which customers can access the Bank’s multiple communication channels including Phone Banking, online feedback forms and Twitter.
Al-Futtaim to offer Nokia phones in UAE
Al-Futtaim, Computer Software Products has announced that it has inked a partnership agreement with Nokia to supply mobile phones to key domestic retailers in the UAE.
The agreement with Nokia was signed by Vishesh Bhatia, President of the New Strategic Growth Group at Al-Futtaim Group, and Chris Braam, Vice President at Nokia MEA.
Anil Sharma will head the business unit for Al-Futtaim. AFCOMP will supply the full range of mobiles phones including the latest feature-rich smartphones such as the Nokia E7, C7 and N8. The announcement follows an earlier partnership agreement between Techserve, an Al-Futtaim group company, and Nokia to act as its Care Centre partner in the UAE.
Du launches LiveWell and LoseWeight (UAE)
Du has reportedly launched two new initiatives to promote healthy living: LiveWell and LoseWeight, for US$0.27 per day.
The new programmes will fall under Health Text, Du’s offering of SMS based services that provide tips, suggestions, factoids and advice for leading a better and healthy lifestyle.
The programmes will be available from 12th April, with the active support of the Ministry of Health. They follow in the footsteps of the recently launched QuitSmoke, where customers get text messages and tips to help customers quit smoking.
LiveWell and LoseWeight services are being provided in association with PurpleTeal, a US based health services provider. All programmes last eight weeks. The US$0.27 per day fee per programme will be deducted from the customer’s Pay as you Go credit or debited in postpaid bills.
Axiom Telecom inks exclusive deal with Electronic Arts (UAE)
Axiom Telecom has signed an exclusive deal with Electronic Arts to bring Electronic Arts’ mobile content to UAE subscribers.
As part of the deal, Axiom Telecom will provide subscribers with access to some of the most popular gaming franchises, including Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, The Sims 3 Ambitions, Tetris, Madden NFL 11 and Bejeweled.
The customers will be able to buy the games from Axiom Telecom retail outlets. Additionally, the agreement entitles Axiom Telecom to exclusively sell EA products to UAE telecommunications operators. Customers can purchase the games from Axiom Telecom stores, with a suggested retail price of US$4.09, or pay US$1.91 per week and download and play as many games as they wish.
Orascom Telecom delays arbitration over Djezzy (UAE)
Orascom Telecom has made no progress in a dispute with the Algerian government over the future of its unit Djezzy.
According to Naguib Sawiris, there is no progress till now on the matter of Djezzy.
Financial daily Al Mal reported earlier that Sawiris had delayed a move to international arbitration in the dispute with Algeria and saw room for an amicable solution once he completes a deal to sell most of Orascom to Russian firm VimpelCom.
The Algerian government has been seeking to buy Djezzy as part of an ongoing dispute over tax demands.
Etisalat abandon plans to bid for Syria licence bid (UAE)
Etisalat has withdrawn its bid for Syria’s third mobile licence. An Etisalat statement confirmed the company was not satisfied with the terms of the tender and had decided to withdraw.
According to sources, Etisalat is unhappy with the 25 percent revenue share demanded by Syria. The bid would have been worth a minimum of USD 122 million.
The Syrian government has said five bidders – Etisalat, France Telecom, Qatar Telecom, Turkcell and Saudi Telecom – qualified for the licence auction. Bids are due 12 April.
