Etisalat Offers More Than 100% Extra Mobile Broadband Bandwidth At Significantly Reduced Costs

In its endeavour to boost the adoption of mobile broadband in the UAE, Etisalat today announced spectacular new Wasel and postpaid mobile broadband packages offering more than 100% extra bandwidth at significantly reduced costs. Specially customised for the Mobile internet users (customers who surf the Internet through their cell phones, including iPhone) and the Mobile broadband users (customers who connect through mobile broadband devices like Notebooks/ Netbooks and 3G Data Card), these packages aim to provide convenient and flexible Internet access, anytime, anywhere to the user, as per their requirements. Etisalat has been supporting the cause of advancing mobile broadband penetration in the UAE, by providing 3G coverage to the 99% of the populated areas of the UAE.

Mobile Internet Package: Etisalat has upgraded its broadband packages and has increased the bandwidth capacity multifold, without altering the price. For e.g., mobile customers can now enjoy 10 MB instead of 2MB, 100 MB instead of 50, and 1GB instead of 120 MB, all at the same price. These packages will provide convenience and flexibility to the mobile users (including iPhone users) to surf the Internet through their cell phones and to enjoy various other applications like music and video downloads, video streaming, YouTube, facebook, online gaming, navigation, and instant messaging.

Customers can choose the package option most favourable to them, as per their usage, from various available plans.

Mobile Broadband Packages: Etisalat has also introduced new packages of 1GB and 5GB in addition to the existing 10GB package, especially for mobile broadband customers, who connect through the 3.5G Modems, 3.5G router, 3G data card and Netbooks.

Old Packages New Packages Monthly Fee Out of Bundle price (Fils / KB)
Mobile Internet Package 2 MB 10 MB AED 25 1.5 Fils
50 MB 100 MB AED 95 1 Fil
120 MB 1 GB AED 195 0.05 Fils
Mobile Broadband Packages 120 MB 1 GB AED 195 0.05 Fils
200 MB 5 GB AED 295 0.025 Fils
10GB 10GB AED 460 3 Fils

Besides these options customers can also benefit from "pay as you use" package that gets automatically activated (without any need to subscribe) when customers use mobile Internet. For all the other packages, customers can subscribe by calling 125. Etisalat existing customers can migrate to these new packages by either calling 125 or by visiting any Etisalat business centre.

Commenting on the new packages, Essa Al Haddad, Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat, said," Etisalat is delighted to launch new mobile broadband packages. Like many of our pioneering initiatives, this service also reinforces our commitment to provide the best value and a variety of options for our customers to choose from. Etisalat believes that mobile broadband is the future of the internet, with the ever increasing need to ’feel connected’ all the time. This need is further accentuated with the increasing proliferation Smart phones introduced by Etisalat in UAE. Etisalat will continue to add new elements and services to its mobile broadband initiative to boost its adoption in the UAE and create the best possible mobile multimedia and broadband experience for its customers."

Al Haddad also pointed Etisalat’s successful completion of phase 1 of its roadmap to bring the next generation mobile broadband connectivity to the Middle East. In trials, in the UAE, the telco has recorded average download speeds of 20.37Mbps, using the HSPA+ technology.

Etisalat customers can enjoy the high speed internet access across 99% of populated areas in the UAE, through Etisalat 3.5G HSDPA technology that provides download speed up to 7.2 Mbps.

Dubai eGovernment Hosts Session For 3rd Emirati-American Young Leaders Cultural Exchange Program

Dubai eGovernment (DeG) recently hosted a special session as part of the 3rd Emirati-American Young Leaders Cultural Exchange Program at its headquarters in the Ruler’s Court in Dubai. The event was attended by DeG Director-General H.E. Ahmed Bin Humaidan and DeG CEO Thani Abdulla Al Zaffin.

During the session, Bin Humaidan discussed Dubai’s pioneering experience in digital transformation, outlining DeG’s strategies for enhancing the performance and efficiency of eServices and its methodologies for restructuring and automating government transactions, thereby upgrading its public services.

Bin Humaidan said: “Based on our belief in the role of technology in easing the lives of people, we were keen on developing more than 2,000 online services with the aim of upgrading Dubai’s government services in terms of speed and quality of performance. From this perspective, we affirm our constant endeavour to be closely familiarized with our customers’ viewpoints, develop our services and adopt means of modern technology in line with their requirements and in support of the eTransformation process in the emirate. We hope that the outline we have offered to our American guests will help give them a general idea about the development of eServices in the UAE.”

The meeting discussed the numerous achievements of the UAE in general and Dubai in particular, specially in fostering economic openness to the global markets as well as adopting the best and latest practices and concepts that support the economic growth in the UAE, including those related to governance and transparency. The session also threw light on the role of online services in facilitating and upgrading government transactions and procedures to live up to the highest criteria of quality and excellence. The meeting also featured a presentation about the eServices provided by DeG to the different sections of the society, be they nationals, residents, visitors and businesses, as well as the core services oriented to the government departments.

Meanwhile, Thani Abdulla Al Zaffin said: “Dubai eGovernment is at the forefront of the emirate’s efforts to establish an integrated knowledge-based economy by upgrading the standard of online services. We are confident that meetings such as these will support our future aspirations for building a generation capable of leading the UAE to new levels of growth and development and consequently carrying on the process of development and excellence.”

Dubai eGovernment’s comprehensive web portal, www.dubai.ae, provides citizens, residents, visitors and businesses access to electronic services which include payment of municipality fees and RTA fines, visa application for relatives, health card renewal, and company registration, among others.

Dubai School Of Government Hosts Young Achievers From US And UAE

The Dubai School of Government, a research and teaching institution focusing on public policy in the Arab world, today announced it hosted 18 American and 10 Emirati students under the Emirati-American Young Leaders Cultural Exchange programme.

Sponsored by the Emirates Foundation, the programme has historically attracted high achievers who have gone on to occupy prominent positions; Jon Favreau, the current chief speech writer for the US President Barack Obama was a previous participant in the programme, which currently includes a number of Truman Scholars from the United States.

During their visit to DSG, the group and their Emirati hosts met with Dr. Tarik Yousef, Dean of the Dubai School of Government, and other faculty members to exchange ideas and experiences.

Highlighting the pioneering role of the Dubai School of Government, Dr. Yousef outlined the School’s contribution to shaping the Emirate’s governance agenda. He noted that the School is attracting scholars and researchers from across the world in its endeavour to create intellectual capital, the mainstay of any knowledge-based economy.
 

Dubai Children Book Fair To Be Showcased At London Book Fair 2009

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation today announced it will showcase a variety of initiatives on children’s literature and actively seek to promote the Dubai International Children’s Book Fair 2010 during its participation at this year’s edition of the London Book Fair.

One of the most prestigious and well established events, the London Book Fair will be held from 20-22 April at Earls Court in London. The three-day festival will see the Foundation interacting with publishers and channel partners from among the global mélange of publishers, writers, and literary organizations that will participate in the London event.

Jamal Al Shehhi, CEO of the Dubai International Children’s Book Fair, said: “Our objective is to network with like-minded people and showcase our offerings in children’s literature in the context of Dubai International Children’s Book Fair. We believe the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has immensely contributed to encouraging and promoting children’s literature and we will explore various possibilities for collaboration in this area.

“Literature and knowledge being our key areas of focus, it is imperative that we expand our scope and highlight our objectives during the prestigious London Book Fair. We welcome publishers and other professionals operating in children’s literature to participate in the Dubai International Children’s Book Fair the Mohammed bin Rashid Al MAktoum Foundation is organizing in February 2010. This event is part of our sincere endeavour to promote the habit of reading in the Arab region and elevate the status of children’s literature, in the publishing world.”

The participation in the London Book Fair 2009 is part of a series of events the Foundation has envisaged for the coming year to engage all stakeholders in children’s literature and to create sufficient awareness about the upcoming Dubai International Children’s Book Fair.

The Foundation has taken part in several book fairs recently including Frankfurt Book Fair, Bologna Children’s Book Fair and Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. All these outreach activities are part of the strategic move to bring greater collaboration and build strong partnerships with organizations globally.

Dubai Properties Group Partners With Nestle Middle East To Mark ’World Health Day’ At The Walk At JBR

Dubai Properties Group (DPG), a member of Dubai Holding, today announced the ‘Walk-A-Thon’ organised in association with Nestlé Middle East, the regional wing of the world’s biggest food group, to commemorate World Health Day 2009 drew an overwhelming response at The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR).

Led by Mohamed S Binbrek, Group CEO of DPG, the Walk-A-Thon took place along a six kilometre circular route from 6.00am to 9.00am on 11 April. It saw the participation of 100 DPG employees, as well as staff members from Nestlé. Concluding at the starting point at the beachfront promenade, the initiative also brought together vast numbers of JBR residents and retailers at The Walk in the cause of raising awareness about World Health Day.

The World Health Day is organised every year to observe the founding day (7 April) of the World Health Organization (WHO). Each year, WHO selects a key global health issue and spearheads international, regional and local events on the day to highlight the chosen theme. The 2009 edition will focused on ‘Save lives. Make hospitals safe in emergencies’ and set the stage for a series of initiatives that will run throughout the year.

Mohamed S Binbrek, Group CEO of DPG, said: “As a corporation that builds entire communities, we remain steadfastly focused on safeguarding the health and safety of our employees, clients and homeowners. We are keen to raise awareness on global health issues that require an urgent commitment from every member of the society.

“The Walk-A-Thon at The Walk at JBR demonstrated the extent of our close involvement with key health issues and validated us as a true global corporation that prioritises the general welfare of the community. We are proud to organise an event such as the Walk-A-Thon in Dubai.”

Stemming from DPG’s Corporate Wellness endeavour, the Walk-A-Thon aimed to ensure the well-being of its staff, stakeholders and clients. DPG also aimed to leverage this year’s theme of World Health Day to salute the resilience of health workers who treat those affected by emergencies, while advocating for safe facility-design and construction, and building momentum for widespread emergency preparedness.

Raef Labaky, Communications Director of Nestle, said: “As the leading food, nutrition, health and wellness company, we were delighted to partner with Dubai Properties Group for the Walk-a-Thon. Nestlé employees lead by example in practising and promoting a healthy lifestyle that we encourage everybody to adopt.

“In line with our corporate sentiment ’Good Food, Good Life’, we are currently conducting and contributing to several initiatives throughout the region to encourage and empower consumers make informed choices about their diet and habits for leading healthier lifestyles. With this collaboration, we hope to help raise awareness and reach out to as many stakeholders as possible in our community.”

World Health Day is one of WHO’s most visible opportunities to raise awareness on global health priorities. This year, WHO and international partners will highlight the importance of investing in health infrastructure for effectively withstanding hazards and serving people in immediate need. Health facilities will also be urged to implement systems for cutting down on response time to internal emergencies such as fires and ensure the provision of continued care.