Dubai International Film Festival offers fans news, views

Dubai, UAE; December 11, 2010: 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 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/

Nokia Siemens Networks reveals that Apple’s latest iPhone software supports network features to reduce smartphone signalling and traffic congestion

Tests by Nokia Siemens Networks have shown that the latest iPhone software supports Network Controlled Fast Dormancy. With this feature, the network and the handset work together to create the best conditions for smartphones to work quickly, yet have a long battery life and minimize network congestion. Network Controlled Fast Dormancy is also supported by Nokia Siemens Networks’ recent mobile broadband network software release (RU20). Tests indicate that the two releases are compatible.

Network Controlled Fast Dormancy goes a long way to help solve the network congestion challenge posed by smartphones. The problem lies in the huge amount of signalling that smartphones generate, up to eight times that of laptops using dongles. When smartphones are left unused for a short while, they go into an Idle state. It then takes about 30 signalling exchanges with the network to wake them up when the user wants to do something.



All this signalling takes time, up to two seconds, so to avoid frustrating delays for the user, some networks keep the smartphone in the Active mode to cut response time. But this drains the battery, so handset manufacturers developed Fast Dormancy software that returns the smartphone to the battery-saving Idle state very quickly.



The trouble is that many smartphone applications are set to connect to the network every few seconds, such as an email application checking for new messages. Signalling goes up as the smartphone frequently switches between states and this eats network capacity, sometimes blocking other phones from even making calls.



Nokia Siemens Networks solves this problem with a different approach. Instead of keeping handsets idle, it maintains them in another state called Cell_PCH. This uses no more battery power than Idle state and needs only between three and 12 signals to move to the Active state to send data. Fewer signals mean that delays for the user are cut to only half a second, network congestion is eliminated and smartphone batteries last longer.



Network Controlled Fast Dormancy helps handsets use either Cell_PCH or Fast Dormancy, depending on the network, to maximize battery lifetime and minimize signalling. Nokia implemented a similar feature in its smartphones in Q2 2010. Apple’s new software release heralds another major industry player working to reduce signalling traffic across networks, which is good news for operators. Nokia and Apple deliver half of all new smartphones in the world, all of which now contribute to an improved user experience and cost reduction for operators. Nokia Siemens Networks is the only vendor supporting Cell_PCH in live commercial networks.



Nokia Siemens Networks also manages its Radio Network Controllers (RNCs), which manage data connections and mobility, in a very efficient way, reducing the likelihood of network overload and poor end-user experience. To further enhance battery life, Nokia Siemens Networks also uses continuous packet connectivity (CPC) which shuts down the smartphone transmitter and receiver in idle phases to reduce its power consumption. In addition, the company’s technology enables end users to make concurrent voice and data calls even when using a GSM network. This avoids calls going straight to voicemail if the data connection is active. Such technologies are complemented by a wide range of other services and solutions that help to make the smartphone experience simply better for users and reduce costs for operators.



One Middle Eastern operator found that smartphones on a Nokia Siemens Networks-supplied network had a battery life of 11 hours compared to six hours on a competing network, while testing in North America found that Nokia Siemens Networks-supplied networks generate up to 50 percent less signalling.



The subject of networks optimized for smartphones will be one of the key areas addressed as part of Nokia Siemens Networks Smart Delivery theme in 2011.

FRiENDi GROUP wins ‘Best New Entrant’ award at the prestigious fifth annual CommsMEA Awards

Dubai, 01 December, 2010: FRiENDi GROUP the MVNO in the SAMEA region, last night took home the coveted title of ‘Best New Entrant’ at the prestigious CommsMEA awards held at Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai.

The award ceremony, part of the 3GSM Telco World Summit, the premier communications event in the Middle Eastern region, was held to acknowledge individuals and operators who have taken a leadership role, invested in technology and developed services in the region’s fast growing telecoms sector. FRiENDi GROUP was recognised as ‘Best New Entrant’ for their innovative and successful launches of the company’s MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) businesses in Oman and Jordan.

Commenting on the award, Mikkel Vinter CEO, FRiENDi GROUP said; “Since its launch, FRiENDi GROUP has enjoyed a very warm welcome from the customers in both Oman and Jordan, and we are very pleased with this now being recognised by FRiENDi GROUP receiving the CommsMEA award as “Best New Entrant”.

With the launch in Oman in April 2009, FRiENDi GROUP established the first MVNO/Mobile Reseller in that country and in the Middle East region in general. Providing a pre-paid mobile experience based around empowering customers to stay connected to their family and friends locally and internationally, whether they are expatriates or nationals, the FRiENDi GROUP proposition combine exciting services and competitive prices. Winning the hearts and minds of end-users, FRiENDi GROUP launched a second MVNO service in June 2010 in Jordan.

Mikkel Vinter added, “The South Asia, Middle East and Africa region, where FRiENDi GROUP has its geographic focus, offers a great opportunity for our business model. In Europe alone there are over 300 different MVNOs, whereas there is only a handful today in this region, so we certainly expect the regional mobile industry to move towards a more segmented approach with new brands being introduced to replace the ‘one-size-fits-all” single brand approach” of the past.

FRiENDi GROUP is currently delivering on the company vision of establishing a pan-regional footprint, and is deploying its advanced MVNO/MVNE technical platform plus global operational experience to support the roll-out of several new countries to be announced in the near future. With mobile operators and telecom regulators increasingly recognizing the fresh impetus and value the wholesale business model can bring to mobile markets across the region, FRiENDi GROUP is positioned as a leader in this exciting development for the regional telecommunications industry over the coming months and years.
About FRiENDi GROUP

FRiENDi GROUP was established in 2006 and is headquartered in Dubai Internet City, UAE. FRiENDi GROUP is an award-winning innovative telecommunications group operating as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) and Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) across the SAMEA region (South Asia, the Middle East and Africa)

The MVNO/MVNE model is a proven business model delivering significant benefits to mobile consumers and telecom operator partners.

The FRiENDi GROUP management team includes senior level team members from a variety of successful regional and global mobile operators as well as MVNOs. FRiENDi GROUP has a strong financial foundation and is supported by well-reputed and highly experienced global and regional shareholders.

For more information please visit: www.friendigroup.com

Dubai, 01 December, 2010: FRiENDi GROUP the MVNO in the SAMEA region, last night took home the coveted title of ‘Best New Entrant’ at the prestigious CommsMEA awards held at Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai.

The award ceremony, part of the 3GSM Telco World Summit, the premier communications event in the Middle Eastern region, was held to acknowledge individuals and operators who have taken a leadership role, invested in technology and developed services in the region’s fast growing telecoms sector. FRiENDi GROUP was recognised as ‘Best New Entrant’ for their innovative and successful launches of the company’s MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) businesses in Oman and Jordan.

Commenting on the award, Mikkel Vinter CEO, FRiENDi GROUP said; “Since its launch, FRiENDi GROUP has enjoyed a very warm welcome from the customers in both Oman and Jordan, and we are very pleased with this now being recognised by FRiENDi GROUP receiving the CommsMEA award as “Best New Entrant”.

With the launch in Oman in April 2009, FRiENDi GROUP established the first MVNO/Mobile Reseller in that country and in the Middle East region in general. Providing a pre-paid mobile experience based around empowering customers to stay connected to their family and friends locally and internationally, whether they are expatriates or nationals, the FRiENDi GROUP proposition combine exciting services and competitive prices. Winning the hearts and minds of end-users, FRiENDi GROUP launched a second MVNO service in June 2010 in Jordan.

Mikkel Vinter added, “The South Asia, Middle East and Africa region, where FRiENDi GROUP has its geographic focus, offers a great opportunity for our business model. In Europe alone there are over 300 different MVNOs, whereas there is only a handful today in this region, so we certainly expect the regional mobile industry to move towards a more segmented approach with new brands being introduced to replace the ‘one-size-fits-all” single brand approach” of the past.

FRiENDi GROUP is currently delivering on the company vision of establishing a pan-regional footprint, and is deploying its advanced MVNO/MVNE technical platform plus global operational experience to support the roll-out of several new countries to be announced in the near future. With mobile operators and telecom regulators increasingly recognizing the fresh impetus and value the wholesale business model can bring to mobile markets across the region, FRiENDi GROUP is positioned as a leader in this exciting development for the regional telecommunications industry over the coming months and years.
About FRiENDi GROUP

FRiENDi GROUP was established in 2006 and is headquartered in Dubai Internet City, UAE. FRiENDi GROUP is an award-winning innovative telecommunications group operating as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) and Mobile Virtual Network Enabler (MVNE) across the SAMEA region (South Asia, the Middle East and Africa)

The MVNO/MVNE model is a proven business model delivering significant benefits to mobile consumers and telecom operator partners.

The FRiENDi GROUP management team includes senior level team members from a variety of successful regional and global mobile operators as well as MVNOs. FRiENDi GROUP has a strong financial foundation and is supported by well-reputed and highly experienced global and regional shareholders.

For more information please visit: www.friendigroup.com

Orga Systems strengthens commitment to Gulf Region, LEVANT and Africa

Paderborn (Germany), Dubai (United Arabic Emirates) 30 November 2010: Orga Systems,

#1 choice for real-time charging and billing, confirms its commitment to the Gulf

Region, LEVANT and Africa. It will strengthen its regional engagement and closeness

to customers in this area. Revealing Orga Systems’ plans for business activities during

a press conference in Dubai today, CEO Ramez Younan announces to be a long term

business partner for current and prospect customers in the region. Due to its dedication

to quality and industry leadership, Orga Systems is a reliable business partner for more

than 40 operators worldwide, serving more than 350M subscribers on its highly scalable

real-time based convergent platforms.



Highly scalable systems for future success

Mobile services in Middle East and Africa have seen tremendous growth during the past

decade. This was based on ever increasing mobile market penetration. In light of today’s

increasing competition, the region is facing a new challenge: sustainability of business. This can

only be achieved by retaining and acquiring customers through sophisticated offerings designed

to meet customers' lifestyle. Only convergent billing systems can handle this significant volume

of all prepaid and post paid subscribers.



“One of our systems handles 65+ M subscribers on one single real-time platform. All customers

– prepaid, postpaid, retail and corporate – are managed on this single system. This has

enabled our customers to increase their market share dramatically through launching the

most innovative tariff plans in the industry,” states Ramez Younan, CEO Orga Systems, at

today’s press conference. “Unlike many other vendors, we are committed to first class, future-

proof solutions. This enables MNOs success and makes us a long term, strategic partner for

customers in the region.”



Convergent services for prepaid airtime distribution and mobile money

“Our mobile payments solutions are enabling true convergent services in the area of prepaid

airtime distribution and mobile money for more than 200M subscribers in the Americas,” says

Steven Wakefield, VP Sales MEA Orga Systems, “The option to sell ‘bundled’ products in

the area of voice, data and financial transactions will offer dedicated advantages to MNOs in

the Gulf Region, LEVANT and Africa as well.” Orga Systems’ mobile payments solutions are

leading in distribution management including the handling of revenue sharing, commissions and

fees as well as sales targets and bonus.

Additional turnover through dynamic bandwidth management

With Smartphone usage on the rise, the amount of data traffic has increased dramatically.

Network capacities of many MNOs are already hitting their limits. With Orga Systems’ NGCP,

instant authorization of individual users and dynamic bandwidth management for better control

of applications that are particularly bandwidth-demanding can be secured. Furthermore,

differentiated offers allow MNOs to generate additional turnover.

Realization of highly complex projects by Orga Systems

In contrast to many other software suppliers, Orga Systems has its own integration and

project resources, as well as an experienced and acknowledged track record of executing and

managing complex projects. This allows for realization of highly complex projects within short

time frames and will help MNOs in the Gulf Region, LEVANT and Africa to secure their future

business.

Companies Concerned About the Convergence of Mobile Devices for Work and Personal Use, Ovum Study Reveals

Dubai, UAE - Nov. 28, 2010 - Just weeks after Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC) announced a major update to its mobile security and management strategy, a new analyst report shows enterprises are increasingly concerned about the potential security risks mobile devices pose to corporate networks and data, especially as employees use the same device for both work and personal activities. The study also reveals the need for a layered approach to creating a holistic enterprise security strategy.


Based on a survey of enterprise users conducted by independent technology analyst, Ovum, and the European Association for e-Identity and Security (EEMA), “Corporate mobile device use and security,” an Ovum Best Practice report, found that nine of 10 organisations either provide, or soon will provide, mobile devices for employee use, with BlackBerry smartphones outnumbering all other devices.



The report finds enterprises trying to manage the consumerisation of mobile IT. Seventy percent of employees say they are allowed to use their corporate devices for personal activities. A smaller but still significant number of workers -- 48 percent - say they can use their personally owned mobile devices to connect to corporate systems.



Still, many enterprises are concerned about employees' mixing work-related tasks on their mobile devices with social networking, web conferencing, media sharing and other personal activities. Eight of 10 respondents believe smartphones expose their business to attack, with data leakage cited as the top security concern.



“Employees will want to use their devices, no matter who owns them, for both their work and personal lives,” said Graham Titterington, a principal analyst at Ovum and author of the report. “It is unrealistic to delineate between these uses for employees who are mobile and working out of the office for a large part of their time. That means organisations must establish a holistic security strategy that addresses the consumerisation of this fast-growing channel into corporate networks and data.”



Yet the survey found protection to be spotty. Among the 52 percent of organisations that use some form of authentication for mobile users, 62 percent rely on simple user name and password sign-on. Only 18 percent use Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates, and just nine percent utilise two-factor authentication featuring one-time passwords. One quarter use anti-virus and anti-malware solutions.



Smartphone Security Briefing to Offer Insights to IT



On Nov. 24, EEMA and Symantec will host an EEMA UK Regional Interest Group Meeting in London. The meeting will feature a Smartphone Security Briefing that builds on the findings in the EEMA and Ovum report, with IT-focused presentations by representatives from EEMA, Symantec, Research In Motion, Gemalto, and Symantec's VeriSign Authentication Group. Attendees of the one-day seminar will learn:



“For many professionals, the mobile phone has become a mobile office,” said Johnny Karam, Regional Director - MENA, Symantec.” But that doesn't mean enterprises need to leave themselves vulnerable to data breach, malware and other threats. A layered approach to mobile security allows enterprises to protect themselves and their users at every point of access, even before a phone receives a message or data transmission.”



“As this new study bears out, putting a smartphone security strategy in place is now a business imperative,” said Roger Dean, director at EEMA. “But how many organisations have the in-house expertise required to develop and implement a mobile strategy that fits seamlessly with their overall security profile? This one-day briefing will help IT executives take that next step, while allowing them to put their toughest questions to a panel of mobile security experts.”



Symantec Mobile Security and Management



Symantec's broad offering of enterprise mobile solutions helps organisations embrace the consumerisation of IT by allowing users to select the devices of choice while enforcing governance, securing corporate data and gaining visibility and control of all mobile platforms including the iPad, iPhone, Android, Blackberry and others. These solutions give administrators the ability to centrally define and distribute security policies to devices over-the-air. Symantec's solutions for enterprise mobile security and management include:



Device Management: Symantec Mobile Management

Device Security: Symantec Endpoint Protection Mobile Edition, Symantec Network Access Control Mobile Edition

Device Encryption: PGP Mobile, PGP Support Package for BlackBerry

Strong Authentication: VeriSign Identity Protection (VIP) Access for Mobile, VeriSign Device Certificate Services

Supporting Quotes



“Smartphones have become natural extensions of our personal and professional lives,” said Marcus Klische, advisor for BlackBerry Security Group, Research In Motion. “Today, more and more mobile applications are saving user data, accessing corporate networks and tracking movements. The need for the devices to be properly tested, configured and secured is therefore crucial.”

“Securing mobile data, while enabling access to corporate information, is a persistent challenge for organisations,” said Antonio Aranda, product manager of Mobile Transactions Security at Gemalto. “But new advances in SIM-based security are opening the door to secure payment channels for such applications as mobile banking, while offering any organisation the added protection of one-time passwords and mobile identity assurance based on WPKI.”

Connect with Symantec



Follow Symantec on Twitter

Join Symantec on Facebook

About Symantec



Symantec is a global leader in providing security, storage and systems management solutions to help consumers and organizations secure and manage their information-driven world. Our software and services protect against more risks at more points, more completely and efficiently, enabling confidence wherever information is used or stored. More information is available at www.symantec.com.



About Ovum



Ovum provides clients with independent and objective analysis that enables them to make better business and technology decisions. Our research draws upon over 400,000 interviews a year with business and technology, telecoms and sourcing decision-makers, giving Ovum and our clients unparalleled insight not only into business requirements but also the technology that organisations must support. Ovum is part of the Datamonitor group.

Emirates and Aeromobile set the tone after ringing the changes for passengers - First birthday landmark for industry leaders

DUBAI, U.A.E., 23rd March 2009 - Cutting-edge communications for Emirates passengers have reached a new milestone with the first birthday of its world-beating in-flight mobile service with AeroMobile.

History was made when the first authorised call on a commercial flight took place on flight EK751, flying from Dubai to Casablanca on March 20th, 2008.

Since then, more than 160,000 passengers from over 130 countries have switched on their mobile phones on an Emirates flight to take advantage of the ability to make and receive calls and text messages – more than 50,000 in the last three months alone as the service becomes more widely available and increasingly popular.

The AeroMobile system, which allows passengers to safely make and receive calls during flights, has now been fitted on a total of 32 Emirates aircraft, making it available on one-in-four of Emirates’ services. Emirates Engineering are installing the AeroMobile system on the rest of the fleet, with one aircraft being equipped every ten days or so.

Patrick Brannelly, Emirates’ Vice President, Passenger Communications and Visual Services, said: “Using this innovative service has now become second nature to our passengers who love the convenience of being able to stay in touch when they choose to.

“It has proved as popular with passengers on all flights to all destinations, not just businessmen and women but also leisure travellers. It’s ideal for just wanting to call home or make contact with family on birthdays or anniversaries.

“Typically about a third of our passengers are switching on their phones onboard AeroMobile-equipped aircraft, so it’s clearly a popular service. We do see many though, that switch on a phone but don’t necessarily use it, showing that they like the idea of being contactable. It’s clear that passengers prefer using their own phones which they are familiar with, rather than the seatback phone.

“The early concerns about potential impact on other passengers have proved, as expected, to be unfounded. We very rarely see multiple calls at the same time, and most calls are shorter than a couple of minutes. Texting using sms has been very popular. The feedback from our customers has been full of enthusiasm.”

The AeroMobile service is being rolled out across the Emirates ' fleet and is currently operating on five aircraft types, the Boeing 777-200s and 777-300s, plus the Airbus A340-300, A340-500 and A330-200. It is due to be installed on the Boeing 777-300ER from May.

AeroMobile CEO Bjorn-Taale Sandberg said: “With our service firmly established on an increasing number of Emirates’ aircraft, the usage level amongst passengers has increased at a faster pace.

“We’re particularly proud of the quality of the voice service and overall reliability. The comment we most often hear is that people receiving calls from our customers in-flight can’t believe they are calling from 35,000 feet.

“We are looking forward to more growth and rising user numbers throughout 2009 to cement a great first year.”

A call for figures (as of 0900hrs Dubai time 20th March, 2009)

• 160,170 passengers have switched on a phone on an Emirates flight
• Passengers from 138 countries have switched on, representing customers of 348 phone companies
• AeroMobile currently has roaming agreements with 123 mobile phone operators from 61 countries
• AeroMobile has operated on over 6,300 flights to 49 countries during the past year
• AeroMobile is installed on 32 aircraft

Connect With Emirates On the Move; Emirates launches new facility for Mobile Devices

DUBAI 22 March, 2009 --- Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline has taken the next step in online innovation by launching Mobile Emirates.com, a convenient, new facility for customers accessing the Emirates website from their mobile devices.

Travellers who access Emirates.com from a mobile browser (on their phone or PDA), will be automatically redirected to the mobile version of the airline’s website. The facility is compatible with over 3000 devices and allows customers to interact with Emirates from almost anywhere in the world.

Mobile subscriptions account for one of the fastest growing areas of Internet usage with the increase of mobile phones, PDA’s, smart phones, Blackberry’s and iPhones. According to recent research from Informa Nielsen mobile, there are four billion mobile phone subscriptions globally, emphasizing the importance for airlines to offer online facilities for travellers on the move.

"Mobile Emirates.com represents a step ahead in innovation and convenience for Emirates customers. This facility provides our customers with the flexibility to manage aspects of their journey from the palm of their hand," said Keith Longstaff, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide.

The mobile site integrates many of the most popular features and functionality present on Emirates.com, all formatted for mobile use. Visitors to the site may:

• Check-in Online up to 24hrs before departure.
• Select a favourite seat or request a special meal
• Eligible passengers can book Chauffeur-drive
• Search for the latest Emirates special fares to over 100 destinations worldwide.
• Check real-time flight status and view global timetables.

The information seeker can learn about Emirates’ past and present, cabin features, lounges and latest news. It is even possible to view the products and services available onboard any specific Emirates flight using the innovative services by flight tool. Members of Emirates’ award-winning frequent flyer programme, Skywards, can log-in to their accounts to view their Miles balance and itineraries.

Contact details for Emirates offices worldwide are easily accessible. In the near future, Mobile Emirates.com will become available in a variety of languages and offer customers the ability to book flights on their mobile device together with managing more aspects of their booking.

EMIRATES RINGS UP 100,000TH PASSENGER IN-FLIGHT

Dubai, UAE, 19th February 2009 – Keeping people connected, Emirates in-flight mobile telephone service has clocked up its 100,000th user this week, confirming a dramatic increase in calls this year. A total of 31 Emirates passenger aircraft are now installed with the AeroMobile service, the largest of any commercial airline.
The milestone was passed when a Singaporean passenger made a call from 36,000 feet during Emirates flight EK404 from Dubai to Singapore.
Thousands of passengers on 31 AeroMobile-equipped Emirates aircraft depart daily from Dubai to destinations across its global network. Over 350 Emirates short and long haul flights operate weekly with AeroMobile covering services to 49 countries.
The AeroMobile in-flight system allows passengers the choice of safely using their own mobile phones to make and receive phone calls and text messages from Emirates aircraft, with charges in line with international roaming rates. The fast-growing popularity of the service sees typically more than 30 per cent of passengers on each flight taking advantage of the award-winning system.
With the first 50,000 users in the first nine months since the system's launch, the second 50,000 have been clocked up in less than two months.
Patrick Brannelly, Emirates’ Vice President, Passenger Communications and Visual Services, said: “The AeroMobile facility is growing in popularity day by day. The feedback has been excellent, and our passengers are clearly using the system to stay in touch, as we saw with big increases in the number of calls and SMS messages over special occasions such as the New Year period. We even saw a surge at the time of the result of the US presidential election.
“For many of our passengers, making a call on their own mobile phone during a flight has become as natural as watching their in-flight TV screens, which offer a choice of up to 1200 channels of entertainment.”
The AeroMobile service can only be used at cruise altitude and allows passengers to send and receive text messages and make and receive calls, just as they do when roaming abroad.
Following a successful launch with Emirates in March 2008 – a world first – AeroMobile-equipped aircraft have seen over 370,000 flight hours of operation. Emirates Engineering are now rapidly rolling the system out across the remainder of the Airbus and Boeing fleets. AeroMobile is presently operating on Emirates A340, A330 and B777 aircraft.
AeroMobile chief executive Bjorn-Taale Sandberg said: “As the service availability has broadened, the number of users has shot up from 10,000 a month at the end of 2008 to 25,000 a month so far this year – and it’s rising rapidly as each day goes by.
“The sharp increase is not due only to the wider availability as our system is rolled out across the Emirates fleet, but the acceptance from passengers of what a valuable and stable service it is.”
Usage data from actual flights shows that at peak times, in excess of 100 passengers are switching on their mobile phones during a flight.
Later this year, the AeroMobile system on Emirates aircraft will be upgraded to offer GPRS services. This will enable passengers to send and receive e-mails via devices such as Blackberrys and laptops with GPRS data cards.

i2 extends partnership with UNICEF

Dubai, September 2, 2008- To celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, i2 extends its partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and will be running a charity campaign starting today to support UNICEF’s continuous humanitarian initiatives. For a period of six months, i2 commits to donate US$ 1 to UNICEF from the sale of each mobile phone at i2 retail outlets in eight selected markets.

The campaign will run in KSA, UAE, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, Tunisia, Iraq and Sudan. The money raised will be used to help underprivileged children in the Middle East and Africa with emphasis on Egypt, Sudan and Iraq; by providing basic health needs crucial to their survival.

“We are happy to be partnering with UNICEF for the second year in a row, this time extending the program to six months. UNICEF works tirelessly to provide the necessary assistance to children around the world and to ensure all children's rights are fulfilled, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and i2 is honored to be part of this grand endeavor” said Abdul Hameed Al Sunaid. CEO, I2

This endeavor follows the success of i2’s partnership with UNICEF during the holy month of Ramadan last year which raised $100,000. This year, i2 is hoping to raise a significant amount by the end of the campaign to generate maximum awareness by helping deprived children in the Middle East and Africa with the necessary medications, vaccines, clean water and food.

“Every year, millions of children die from totally preventable causes and these innocent lives can be saved by cost-effective interventions. We are grateful for the continuous support of a dedicated partner like i2 and we look forward to build on last year’s success, said Dr. Ayman Abu Laban, UNICEF Representative in the Gulf.

Founded in 1993 in Saudi Arabia, i2 is the region’s largest and most diverse mobile phone provider. Over 2676 employees across 340 stores in 22 countries are dedicated to providing i2 customers with technological solutions and services that enhance their lifestyles and shopping experience. i2 stores offer the widest range of mobile phones, PDAs, wireless technology, software; value added services and mobile accessories in the region. It is the first mobile phone provider to offer its customers a life-time warranty and a comprehensive after sales maintenance program on all products purchased in store or online. To better serve their customers, i2 has expanded its reach to include i2 magazine, i2 club, i2 café and other innovative support programs. For more information about i2 products and services please visit http://www.i2-mobile.com/ . i2 operates in: Andorra, Angola, Bahrain, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, KSA, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Reunion, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and UAE.


UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.