Etisalat Launches The UAEs First Personalised Mobile Advertising Service

Etisalat and Alcatel-Lucent today launched the UAE’s first permission and preference-based mobile advertising services in the UAE. The opt-in mobile advertising service provides a very smart and unique advertising model that will allow advertisers and brands to have an engaging dialogue with their target audience via Rich SMS/MMS Dialogue Ads. Moreover, it gives mobile customers access to a wide range of exclusive and relevant offers from leading brands in the UAE that is tailored to their personal interests and lifestyles.

The service will match customer’s voluntary preferences and deliver exclusive promotions and discounts accordingly. As such customers interested in sports, will get the latest on offers and promotions from sporting brands. The mobile advertising platform from Alcatel-Lucent Optism is also a monitoring tool for customers’ behaviors against the ads and promotions that they receive in a way that detects their registered interests and their interaction levels with the received offers. This type of intelligence, behavior monitoring and updating will get advertisers and brands to customize their offers to best suit their targeted audience and for customers to receive the best defined promotions that fit their likings.

The new service will give the entire mobile advertising ecosystem in the UAE exactly what they need; targeted ads, personalized ads, engaging ads and most of all very well defined tailored ads that will increase their sales, enhance their ROI, enable them for more intelligent campaign planning and provide them with real time reporting. At the same time it will increase targeted audience satisfaction as customers will receive offers that are tightly linked to their lifestyles and tastes.

Matthew Willsher, Chief Marketing Officer of Etisalat commented: “There is a new wave of demand for deals, discounts and offers in the UAE. As part of our mobile strategy, we are constantly innovating to delight our customers. The UAE’s first mobile advertising service ensures that customers who choose to receive targeted messages get better value as well as a richer mobile experience.”

Amr El-Leithy, Head of Alcatel-Lucent business in the Middle East & Africa. “We are very enthusiastic about working with Etisalat to bring a more personalized and compelling experience to their customers.”

All mobile advertising with Etisalat is "opt-in" for customers, giving subscribers the freedom to choose. It ensures privacy of customer’s information and contact details through Etisalat’s ‘Personal Information Identifiers’ system. Maha Muraish, Director of Online Channel and Portal at Etisalat added, “It’s not about spamming our customers with numerous ads; it’s about providing preference-based content. You will only receive offers from Etisalat that is relevant to you, at the time of day that suits you best and not more than 5 ads a week”.

To sign up for this service, customers need only send an SMS – ‘JOIN’ to short code ‘1551’ and respond to an invitation message from Etisalat with their age, gender and interests. They can also choose to pause and resume or completely stop the service by using appropriate commands. The service is for free and customers who register for the service do not pay for any advertising messages that they receive or respond to.

Ads received from Etisalat will use short codes 1551, 1552, 1553, 1554 or 1555. From time to time, customers will receive Etisalat’s ‘housekeeping’ messages to keep updated on profile and preferences, in order to understand and send tailor-made offers as per their interests.

For more information on the service, customers can visit www.ads.etisalat.ae or call 101.
 

Emirates Launches Mobile Boarding Pass Service

Making travel even more efficient, Emirates now offers customers the option of receiving a mobile boarding pass on their internet-enabled mobile device – providing customers with a stress-free, paperless travel experience.

The service is available to all passengers who utilise Emirates’ convenient online check-in facility out of Dubai up to 24 hours in advance. Passengers can log on to www.emirates.com, and can choose to receive a web-link to their mobile boarding pass by email or SMS, that displays a barcoded boarding pass on their internet-enabled phone.

“The launch of Emirates’ mobile boarding pass not only supports paperless travel and the reduction of paper waste, but also meets the demands of a new era of travellers, who seek a more sophisticated and efficient means of managing their business and leisure travel,” said Mohammed H Mattar – Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services, Emirates. “The mobile boarding pass puts flexibility and control completely in the hands of our customers, while making a small step towards reducing our environmental impact.”

The mobile boarding pass can be scanned and read directly at all check-in counters, airport security check points, Dubai immigration, Emirates First Class and Business Class lounges, and boarding gates. The service allows customers to keep all their travel information in one place, while also safe guarding the environment through paperless travel. In the first year of implementation, it is estimated that the use of mobile boarding passes alone will save a minimum of 550 kilograms of paper. Across the Emirates Group, over 3.6 million kilograms of paper and cardboard have been recycled in the financial year 2010 – 11. Following the launch in Dubai, over 30 other mobile boarding pass compliant airports, have been identified for implementation across the Emirates network.

Convenient, straight-forward and secure, customers may also use their internet-enabled mobile devices to perform a multitude of tasks including; booking and managing a flight, mobile check-in, searching flight schedules and status and even checking the in-flight amenities available on a specific flight. Once they log on to www.emirates.com they will be automatically redirected to the mobile optimised version of the website.
 

Du Introduces 42 Mbps Real Mobile Broadband Internet Key, Enabling Customers To Benefit From Nation’s Fastest Mobile Broadband

In a move that demonstrates the company’s position as a leading provider on the global stage, du became the first in the UAE to launch the 42 Mbps internet key (also known as dongle or USB modem universally),which enables customers to take advantage of the company’s super high-speed Real Mobile Broadband service. This new offering comes shortly after the company launched mobile broadband speeds of up to 42 Mbps, following the upgrade of its network to next-generation DC-HSPA+ technology, making du’s network the fastest in the UAE and propelling the UAE among the select few nations in the world to offer such a speed. As a limited period introductory promotion, a 42Mbps Internet Key is available at a special price of AED449 which the regular price is AED699.

“Having upgraded our network to offer super high-speed mobile broadband, we are now pleased to offer the 42 Mbps Real Mobile Broadband Internet Key, which will enable our customers to use our mobile broadband anytime, anywhere, and at affordable prices. Now, du customers will be among the select few worldwide – and the first in the UAE – to enjoy mobile broadband speeds of up to 42 Mbps, which will greatly improve the quality of applications on-the-go, including games, TV, music and video media,” commented Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du.

In order to take advantage of the fastest mobile broadband connection available in the UAE, customers just need to follow three simple steps:
1) Buy a Real Mobile Broadband Internet Key from du – can choose from any one of the 3 Internet Key models, – the 42Mbps model at AED 699, 21.6Mbps model at AED 399 or 7.2Mbps model at AED 199. (As a limited period introductory promotion, a 42Mbps Internet Key is available at a special price of AED449 )
2) Subscribe to a data line: Monthly Data or Pay as you Go® Data line
3) Activate a preferred Mobile Data Bundle – choose from two options depending on the monthly internet usage: 2GB Data Bundle at AED 75 per month for the first 6 months and AED 200 thereafter; or Unlimited (Data Max) at AED 150 per month for the first 6 months and AED 360 thereafter. That is a savings of AED 750 and AED 1260 respectively. This offer is for a limited period only

The Real Mobile Broadband Internet keys also allow customers to send and receive SMS from the lap-top, manage contacts, pay online, check balance and recharge of the Pay as you Go Data line. Each Internet key comes with memory included for data storage, giving customers the 2-in-1 convenience. For a limited period, du is also offering an ‘Upgrade Offer’. Any customers who already own an Internet Key (USB Modem/Data Card), can trade it in for du’s new and faster one with 50% off on the new Internet Key price. All the customers need to do is to subscribe to one of the new Mobile Data Bundle offers on a Monthly Data Line.

Mobile Data Bundle offer
Data Bundle- 1Monthly fee- You save over 6 months- Recommended use
2GB- AED75 (for the first 6 months)
and
AED200 thereafter- AED 750-
Light usage
(ie: Text Emailing, Web browsing, Chat & messaging)
Unlimited*
(Data Max)- AED 150 (for the first 6 months)
and
AED 360 thereafter- AED 1260-
Heavy monthly usage
(ie: Files uploading/downloading, Video streaming, Files transfer)
*10 GB fair use policy applies.
1Data Bundle fees are applicable for use within UAE only.

 

DU Partners With ENOC And EPPCO To Provide Special Mobile Offers In The Spirit Of The Shopping Season

Make the most of this shopping season with du. We have partnered with ENOC and EPPCO to bring special mobile offers. The offers include special rates on a range of popular Samsung and Nokia handsets when you purchase a du mobile line.

“In the spirit of the shopping season, we wanted to provide unique packages that would offer fantastic deals on popular mobile handsets. With our special offer, UAE residents can enjoy all the benefits of having a du line, including such features as Pay by the Second billing, our revolutionary WoW recharge cards which offer more than 60 per cent bonus on international calling, the fastest network in the UAE and superb voice clarity. Furthermore, we are offering double rewards through the value du services offer and the winning opportunities available through the ENOC/EPPCO raffle,” commented Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du.

The exclusive offer consists of four popular mobile handsets along with a du Pay as you Go® line (worth AED 55), including the Samsung E 1087 for just AED 99 (a saving of AED 55), the Nokia 1616 for just AED 120 (a saving of AED 30), the Nokia 1800 for just AED 134 (a saving of AED 30) and the Nokia 2700 for just AED 309 (a saving of AED 40).

Your du mobile package gives you the advantage of extensive mobile coverage, the fastest network in the UAE, the most innovative propositions, value-for-money tariffs, easy to access retail network and friendly customer service.
As part of the special offer, customers will also be given two raffle tickets for every AED 20 they spend at ENOC and EPPCO service station, including one for the daily Nissan car draw, and one for the ENOC and EPPCO 32-day giveaway, which offers the opportunity to win AED 320,000 during four different draws of AED 80,000 each on the dates, 31 January and 7, 14 and 20 February.
 

Get Double The Data With Etisalat’s Mobile Broadband Promotion, Up To 10GB Extra Mobile Data Usage

 Etisalat doubles customers’ flexibility and freedom as it announces today the launch of the new Double Mobile Data Volume promotion. The attractive promotion offers new as well as existing customers a chance to enjoy double the data at no extra cost, for two months from their date of subscription. Additionally, Etisalat announced new rates with up to 66% discounts on HSPA+ routers and 3G USB modems, allowing customers to save more while they enjoy Internet anytime, anywhere in the country.

  While existing customers of 1GB, 5GB and 10GB will automatically avail of the promotion, new customers can subscribe to Etisalat’s mobile broadband and get double the data at the same price by simply calling 125, the IVR service, and following instructions; or by visiting their nearest Etisalat Business Centers.   Through the promotion, customers can experience and take advantage of the high-speed mobile Internet connection on Etisalat’s wide 3G-network covering 99% of the UAE’s populated area. Furthermore, customers can benefit from super speeds of up to 42Mbps on Etisalat’s upgraded HSPA+ network and check emails, surf the Internet, chat with friends, enjoy high definition (HD) video streaming and much more while moving around for work or simply relaxing in a café or their homes.   Motaz Hashem, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Etisalat, commented: “Our customers’ affinity with mobile Internet for work and entertainment, as well as their interest in social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter is growing day by day. As a pioneer in innovative telecom solutions, Etisalat is continuously investing in the most advanced technologies to develop mobile broadband services that allow our customers to seamlessly enjoy the region’s fastest speeds on the widest network in the country. Through this promotion, we’re further meeting their thirst for data by giving them more freedom to use higher data volumes at no extra cost and by making technology-compatible USB devices even more affordable.”   Furthermore, with newly introduced pricing, customers save up to 66% on a wide range of 3G/3.5G devices, available from Etisalat. This includes USB dongles and enabled laptops; or routers depending on the number of users that want to access Internet at a time.  For more information on the promotion, customers can visit www.etisalat.ae or call customer service at 800PROMO (77666)

Lloyds TSB Middle East And The Dubai Health Authoritys Blood Donation Centre Host Dubais Most Successful Mobile Donation Campaign

Lloyds TSB Middle East, part of one of the world’s largest banking groups, joined hands with the Dubai Health Authority’s Blood Donation Centre (DBDC) on Thursday 31st March to host a blood donation drive. According to the DBDC, the event which saw a section of the Bank’s car park transformed into a donation site was the Centre’s most successful mobile donation campaign, attracting donations from sixty-four volunteers.

Richard Musty, Managing Director of Lloyds TSB Middle East said:

“We are thrilled to have been part of a successful campaign to help raise vital donations for a hugely important medical cause. At Lloyds TSB Middle East community is a crucial part of everything that we do. On behalf of both the DBDC and Lloyds TSB Middle East, I would like to extend a warm thank you to everyone who donated”.

Commenting on behalf of the DBDC, Dr. Laila Al Shaer, Head of the Centre said:

“Our coordinated campaign with Lloyds TSB Middle East last Thursday enabled us to attract the highest number of donations that any of our mobile donation drives has seen. On behalf of our patients and staff I would like to thank everyone who visited the units for their support. Their efforts underpin the DBDC’s ability to provide life saving services to our community”.
 

NVIDIA Quadro Powers New Era Of Mobile Super Computers

NVIDIA announced today a new line of Quadro® professional graphics solutions for mobile workstations. Designed for engineers, industrial designers, animators, and film & video editors that need to take their work with them, these new Quadro graphics processing units (GPUs) leverage the NVIDIA Fermi architecture, which combines fast visualization performance with high performance computing capabilities. This massively parallel processing horsepower transforms laptop computers into mobile super computers.

Featuring twice the number of CUDA™ cores and twice the graphics memory over previous generations, these new Quadro GPUs also incorporate NVIDIA Optimus™ technology, maximizing battery life by automatically powering the GPU only when needed. Optimus also provides users with the ability to drive up to four displays at the same time.

Building on a decade of innovation and leadership in professional mobile graphics, the new Quadro line of mobile graphics solutions includes:

• Quadro 5010M (Ultra-High End):
384 CUDA cores; 4 GB GDDR5 memory; designed for new 17.3-inch mobile workstations
• Quadro 4000M (High End):
336 CUDA cores; 2 GB GDDR5 memory; designed for new 17.3-inch mobile workstations
• Quadro 3000M (High End):
240 CUDA cores; 2 GB GDDR5 memory; designed for new 17.3-inch mobile workstations
• Quadro 2000M (Mid-Range):
192 CUDA cores; 2 GB DDR3 memory; designed for 15.6-inch mobile workstations
• Quadro 1000M (Mid-Range):
96 CUDA cores; 2 GB DDR3 memory; designed for 15.6-inch mobile workstations

“Year after year, NVIDIA innovations demonstrate true technology leadership,” said Dr. Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Research. “Optimus is perfect for anyone who needs high performance, long battery life, and additional displays. With this new Quadro mobile lineup based on the Fermi architecture, NVIDIA is poised to continue its dominance in mobile workstation graphics.”

The new standard for mobile workstation graphics excellence—the NVIDIA Quadro 5010M
The flagship Quadro 5010M features Error Correction Code (ECC) and fast, 64-bit double precision capabilities to ensure the greatest accuracy and fidelity of results. From medical imaging to structural analysis applications, data integrity and precision is assured, without sacrificing performance.

The Quadro 5010M features an unprecedented 4 GB of fast GDDR5 memory to enable interactivity on the largest projects. Shattering previous 3D graphics benchmarks, professionals on the go can achieve nearly a billion triangles per second with this ultra high-end Quadro mobile graphics solution.

NVIDIA Quadro technology creates mobile super computers
Similar to the NVIDIA Quadro 5000M, the groundbreaking NVIDIA Fermi-based mobile workstation graphics solution announced last year, and currently available in both the Dell Precision M6500 and HP EliteBook 8740w mobile workstations, additional features of these new NVIDIA Quadro mobile professional graphics solutions include:

• The NVIDIA CUDA parallel computing architecture – Quadro mobile GPUs deliver massive performance gains when running computationally intensive applications such as ray tracing, video processing and computational fluid dynamics.

• NVIDIA 3D Vision™ Pro – support for the highest quality, stereoscopic viewing experience is helping drive the development of 3D capable visualization applications from companies such as Autodesk, Dassault Systemes, Siemens and Agilent.

• NVIDIA Scalable Geometry Engine™ technology – dramatically improves performance across a broad range of CAD, DCC and scientific applications, enabling a user’s work to flow interactively with models and scenes that are an order of magnitude more complex than ever before.

• NVIDIA GPU Tessellation Engine technology – with support for OpenGL 4.1, Shader Model 5.0 and DirectX 11, tessellation automatically generates finely detailed geometry for cinematic quality environments and scenes without sacrificing performance.

• Application certification – support for the broadest spectrum of professional applications, including those utilizing OpenGL 4.1, Shader Model 5.0, and Microsoft DirectX 11, plus DirectCompute and OpenCL standards. Companies such as Adobe, Autodesk, and Dassault Systemes certify NVIDIA Quadro solutions for professionals whose livelihoods depend on maximum uptime with their applications.

Mobile workstation manufacturers have relied on NVIDIA GPUs for the past decade, and will integrate these Quadro solutions in their newest mobile workstations scheduled to be announced throughout 2011. For more information about NVIDIA and Quadro Mobile Graphics Solutions, please visit www.nvidia.com/quadromobile.
 

du Supports M-Media Innovation And Talent As Sponsor At World Summit Awards Mobile 2010

In line with its commitment to support technological innovations and creative talent within the telecom industry, du was the official sponsor for the award category ‘m-media and news’ at the recently-held World Summit Awards Mobile Winners’ Conference Gala and Expo. Hala Badri, EVP, Brand and Communications, du, officially congratulated the five winners of the prestigious award, and delivered a keynote speech about the importance of the burgeoning m-media world.

“Media is no longer about the traditional forms that we have come to know such as print and broadcast. In the past few years, electronic media has been making its mark and is evolving at an astonishing rate. As a company that always strives to be at the forefront of technological advancements, we are pleased to support the ‘m-media & news’ award category, which we believe will serve to recognise the pioneering work done in this field and also encourage others to get involved in shaping the future of this booming new industry,” commented Hala Badri, EVP Brand and Communications, du.

The five winners of the ‘m-media and news’ award included the ABC iPhone/iPad application from Australia, Apontador Traffic from Brazil, m.guardian.co.uk & Guardian iPhone app from UK, Newelo Need4Feed from Finland and You are the Reporter from Russia. The criteria for the category included reporting the news using the mobile phone, crowd sourcing, citizen journalism, covering natural disasters, public campaigning, multimedia news, mobile media aggregation and search services, new forms of mobile video and m-TV, movies and current affairs.

The WSA-mobile Winners’ Gala Conference & Expo – the first world conference on m-content – took place recently in Abu Dhabi. The event was held under the auspices of the Government of Abu Dhabi in cooperation with the United Nations and its Global Alliance for ICT and Development, and Government and Business Partners from around the World.
 

Dubai International Film Festival Offers Fans News, Views On The Go With Free Mobile Application

The excitement, action, and celebrity buzz associated with the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), the leading and largest festival of its kind in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, can now be accessed via mobile phone with the expanded, free DIFF Mobile Application.

Organised in partnership with Nokia, the DIFF Mobile Application supports the Symbian and Blackberry platforms as well as the iPhone/iPad and Android operating systems. This means practically every mobile phone user can benefit from the application and have the Festival at his or her fingertips.

The upgraded mobile application features the highest security standards and provides seamless information, entertainment and transaction. Mobile phone users can now receive updates on DIFF 2010, check for film screenings and purchase tickets – all on the go – and in total security.

Browsers can also watch trailers and stills, obtain summaries of all the films at the festival, check the timings and venues, post details to their FaceBook or Twitter pages, and invite friends to watch preferred films via SMS. In addition to providing the full functionality of the revamped DIFF website, the mobile app is designed to work without a continuous Internet connection, making it both affordable and always accessible. 

Mahsa Motamedi, Director of Marketing & Sponsorship, Dubai International Film Festival, said: "Community outreach and engagement is a significant part of the work we do at DIFF and the mobile phone is a game changer. It’s a personal, direct and effective way for us to reach our audiences, and stay with them no matter where and who they are. With the new mobile application, DIFF is on the go, exactly where our audience is."

She added: "We introduced the DIFF Mobile Application last year with over 23,000 pages of information viewed by film lovers. This year, drawing on the newest advances in technology, we are expanding the service to include more mobile phone platforms and adding newer elements. It will be a great value addition to film lovers in the region, who can tune into DIFF in real time."

Mobile phone users only have to log on to http://www.dubaifilmfest.com from their mobile device, click on ’Download Application,’ fill in the required details and select the correct version for their mobile to start receiving DIFF updates. Nokia users can also download the app from the Ovi app store.

Subscribers can also access the DIFF Mobile App through their telecom portal or applications stores, or receive links to download the application via SMS. In line with DIFF’s commitment to uphold user privacy, mobile phone users can also opt out of the service at any point in time.

The seventh edition of Dubai International Film Festival 2010 will be held from December 12 to 19. DIFF 2010 is held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah, the home of the Dubai International Film Festival, are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The event is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.

For more and updated information about DIFF, please visit http://www.dubaifilmfest.com

 

Etisalat Introduces New MyPlan Postpaid Service For Mobile Customers

Etisalat has announced the introduction of ‘MyPlan’, the new service for both, new and existing postpaid mobile customers. The new ‘MyPlan’ postpaid mobile service offers customers flexible package options for local and international calls, text messages and mobile data, in addition to an attractive advantage of getting a free or discounted smart phone. Furthermore, new postpaid customers will benefit by receiving free talktime against initial subscription fee and all MyPlan customers will enjoy 100 free calling minutes every month against rental charges. Customers also enjoy off-peak international calling rates at more convenient hours (8PM to 8AM), from Saturday to Thursday and throughout the day on Friday.

Under the new MyPlan service, customers are subscribed to the ‘Basic Package’ and receive back either 100 minutes of local calls or 15 minutes of international calls against the rental charge of AED29 per month.

In addition, MyPlan offers three more distinct add-on packages that are tailored to suit customers’ varying needs and lifestyles. Customers can subscribe to packages for calls, text messages and mobile Internet at a discounted price. Calls and text messages outside of the subscribed packages will be charged at the regular rate of 30 fils per minute for local calls and 18 fils per text message. A one-time call set-up fee of 5 fils will be applied to local calls outside of the package.

The ‘Plus Package’ offers customers 150 minutes of local phone calls along with 20 minutes of international calls, 50 local text messages, as well as 10MB of data, for only AED99 per month.

The “Extra Package” offers customers 300 minutes of local calls, 40 minutes of international calls, 75 local text messages and 50 MB of data access, all for only AED 249 per month.

The “Ultra Package” offers 500 minutes of local calls, 80 minutes of international calls, 100 local text messages and 200 MB data access, for only AED449 per month.

Optionally, customers subscribing to Plus, Extra or Ultra packages can buy an additional 1GB of data per month for AED100 only or 2GB for AED150 only 50 fils will be charged for every additional MB used.

As per the package subscribed, customers are also eligible to get a free or discounted smart phone: For example, Ultra package with a 12-month contact offers a Blackberry Torch 9800 for AED409, iPhone 4 (16GB) for AED 429 or Samsung Galaxy S (16GB) for AED 449. For a full list of devices available along with the list of packages and prices, customers can visit www.etisalat.ae/MyPlan.

Existing Wasel prepaid customers can migrate to the new MyPlan service and choose from a suite of convenient package options. Current postpaid customers can also avail any of the new packages by visiting their nearby Etisalat Business or Sales Centers or by calling Etisalat’s customer-care at 101.

New postpaid customers can conveniently subscribe to the MyPlan service for AED125, by visiting Etisalat’s website www.etisalat.aeonline. Customers applying for new MyPlan connections will receive their new SIM cards in any location within the UAE. Alternatively, they can collect the SIM card by visiting any of Etisalat’s Business or Sales Centers. Customers redeem the initial subscription cost of AED125 by making local and international phone calls or text messages for free.

Customers subscribed to the BlackBerry limited data package can subscribe to MyPlan to enjoy the advantage of receiving a free or discounted smart phone. Additionally, they can also opt for Voice and extra Internet Data as per their usage and preference.

Customers subscribed to any of Etisalat’s discounted international calling plans such as Favorite Country Plan and Super Off-Peak Plan can also subscribe to My Plan and enjoy the discounts and benefits of the new packages offered.