MyAdhan Blog

Link: Pakistan: Illegal cell-phone imports hurting handset market

Pakistan handset market comprises of number of authorised dealers but still large portion of handsets come illegally via smuggling, individual carrier of new, used and refurbished sets from European, Middle Eastern markets and other routes. This fact was revealed by annual report of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Report said that another dilemma faced by these original brands is import tampered mobile sets in the form of refurbished handsets by unauthorised dealers, which are also called software-pirated handsets. It also said that most common complain of mobile phone companies is a presence of large number of branded mobile phones copies in the market, which is hammering the original sets image and sales. Chinese mobile phones are also becoming popular in the market, as they are very cheap and equipped with new technologies and software’s. Report disclosed that copies of Chinese mobile phones, equipped with same functions and software are openly being sold in the market as they are they are comparatively much cheaper as against the original brands. In addition, shopkeepers are also offering warranties for these imitation mobiles, similar to that of branded set.

Link: Ericsson Opens Branch Office In Brunei

Ericsson yesterday announced the opening of a branch office in Brunei Darussalam, stating that its foray into Brunei signifies Ericsson’s long-term commitment to the country, and to the growth and development of its telecommunications industry. The Swedish company recently won a contract for the deployment of DST’s 3G network, which is expected to be available to local subscribers some time in the second quarter next year. The office, near the Airport Mall, houses about 20 staff, comprising both local and foreign employees, and for the near-term will focus on servicing and supporting DST.

Link: Malaysia: Don’t Be Misled By SMS That Are Out To Tarnish Minister

Deputy Information Minister Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye Thursday said some irresponsible elements are out to tarnish the reputation of Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein via a short message system (SMS) purportedly sent out by Bernama, the Malaysian National News Agency on Wednesday. “The Education Minister did not make such a statement nor did Bernama sent out such an SMS,” he said in a statement issued here today. The SMS purportedly quoted Hishammuddin talking about Indian and Chinese voter support. Chia advised the people not to be misled by the SMS. A spokesman from Hishammuddin’s office said the Umno Youth chief also did not make any public statement yesterday. He said his office would ask the authorities to identify the source of the malicious SMS.

Link: du Celebrates UAE National Day with Reduced National Mobile Call and SMS

Another Link: Du Celebrates United Arab Emirates National Day With Reduced National Mobile Call And SMS Rate

To celebrate the UAE National Day, du, the UAE’s new telecom operator, has announced a special one day promotion of 20% discount on all national calls, off-peak rates on all international calls and discounted SMS rates of 15 fils instead of 18 fils for local SMS & 45 fils instead of 60 fils for international SMS,. This limited time mobile offer will be valid on 2 December 2007 from 00:01 am – 11:59 pm. Osman Sultan, CEO, du, said: ”On behalf of du, I would like to extend my congratulations and sincere regards to President of the UAE H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai as well as all Emiratis and UAE residents on this special occasion.” “We are proud to be a national company and are fully committed to serving the UAE and playing a significant role in its growth and development. This special promotion is a simple but sincere gesture from du to celebrate our nation’s national day with our valued customers.”

Link: Pakistani militants issue moral code in tribal area: witnesses

Pro-Taliban militants in a Pakistani tribal district have warned residents not to put musical ring tones or pictures in their mobile phones, witnesses said Wednesday. A pamphlet distributed in Khar, the main town of Bajaur district bordering Afghanistan, also told people not to shave their beards, listen to music or smoke cigarettes and hashish. Islamic militancy is spreading in conservative northwest Pakistan, where militants — emulating the ultra-orthodox Taliban who ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 — are trying to impose their own strict brand of Islam.

Link: Saudi Telecom grabs Kuwait telco stake for $900mn

More Links:
Saudi firm wins 26 percent of new Kuwait mobile operator
Etisalat Chairman congratulates winner of Kuwait’s 3rd mobile license
STC wins Kuwait 3rd telco stake
STC wins out in Kuwaiti telco race
Saudi Telecom wins stake in new Kuwaiti mobile firm
Saudi Telecom wins bid for Kuwait’s 3rd operator

State-controlled Saudi Telecom Company won a contest for a stake in Kuwait’s third mobile phone company, bidding 248.7 million dinars ($907.7 million) and beating rivals including Turkcell, Kuwait said. A group including Kuwait Finance House came in second for the 26% stake with a bid of 195 million dinars, and Etisalat third with a 180 million dinar offer, state-owned Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) said on Tuesday.

Link: Egypt’s Orascom Telecom considering Lebanon’s state mobile firm

Egypt’s Orascom Telecom, the fourth-biggest Arab mobile phone operator by market value, is considering a bid for a state-owned Lebanese operator, Chairman Naguib Sawiris said on Monday. The Egyptian billionaire shrugged off fears of instability in Lebanon, which is going through its worst political crisis since the end of the 15-year civil war in 1990, and said that the problem could be the expected high price of the license. “There is no (political) risk,” he said. “The problem will be the high price of the auction.” Lebanon is considering selling majority stakes in its two state mobile firms in February to raise as much as $7 billion, the telecommunications minister said in October.

Link: Malaysia: More channels for Mobile LiveTV

Two new channels have been added to the line up of Mobile LiveTV, a digital live broadcast TV service that is expected to make its commercial debut early next year. The service, operated by U Mobile Sdn Bhd (formerly MiTV Networks Sdn Bhd), has secured the rights to screen Trace TV, Europe’s leading international urban music, lifestyle and feature channel. It also has the rights to broadcast Channel News Asia, a regional news channel that provides an Asian perspective. “More channels are expected to come on board as the planned service launch draws nearer,” said Kenneth Chang, executive director of U Mobile.

Link: Pakistan: Modern technology vital to curb crime, says Punjab Inspector General

Inspector General of Punjab (IGP) Ahmed Nasim has directed the officers of police telecommunication to organise the communication network on modern lines to effectively meet the challenges of law and order and crimes with the help of this important department. He said, while presiding over a high level meeting at central police office on Sunday. The meeting reviewed the performance of this department in detail and took several important decisions to equip the department with latest technology and training besides resources.

Link: Qatar: 20 ‘free-for-life’ Qtel promo winners picked

Some 20 post-paid mobile customers have won a Qtel promotion offering freedom from rentals for life. The ‘free-for-life’ promotion was held by Qtel during the holy month of Ramadan.
The winners were picked from some 8,200 Qtel customers who spent QR100 during the promotion hours between 11pm and 6am. During the promotion, Qtel had slashed the local mobile call rates and local video call rates to Dh20 per minute besides charging only Dh20 for all local SMS and MMS.