Etisalat and RIM Launch BlackBerry in UAE
Dubai, May 15th, 2006 (WAM)-- Emirates Telecommunications Corporation - Etisalat, the Middle East's leading telecommunications service provider and Research In Motion (RIM), a leader in wireless innovation, today announced the launch of BlackBerry to customers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Etisalat will be the first service provider to introduce the BlackBerry wireless platform in Middle East Gulf region.
Etisalat will initially offer the BlackBerry 8700gTM and the BlackBerry 7290TM handsets. These devices provide an intuitive user experience with support for email, phone, SMS, Internet, organiser and corporate data applications. These quad-band devices operate on Etisalat's GSM/GPRS network and, with more than 100 global roaming relationships in more than 40 countries.
The recently introduced BlackBerry 8700g features a completely re-engineered BlackBerry device platform that includes an IntelR XScale R cellular processor to deliver faster performance for web browsing, application use and attachment viewing. In addition, the BlackBerry 8700g provides a bright, high resolution LCD screen that supports more than 65,000 colors and delivers vivid graphics.
It also incorporates an intelligent light-sensing technology that automatically adjusts the screen and keyboard lighting to provide optimised viewing in outdoor, indoor and dark environments.
The BlackBerry 8700g also includes premium phone features such as dedicated 'send,' 'end' and 'mute' keys, smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing, call forwarding, speakerphone and Bluetooth R support for hands-free use with car kits and wireless headsets.
The BlackBerry 7290 delivers an exceptional voice experience with Bluetooth and quad-band support, operating on the GSM/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 MHz frequencies. In addition, the BlackBerry 7290 features 32 MB flash memory and 4 SRAM, a bright LED backlight, as well as an optimised QWERTY keyboard style for easy dialing and typing. The high-resolution screen displays crisp images with support for more than 65,000 colors, while continuing to offer superior battery life for optimal wireless performance.
The BlackBerry 8700g and BlackBerry 7290 operate in conjunction with BlackBerry Enterprise Server TM, which tightly integrates with Microsoft R Exchange, Novell GroupWise R and IBM Lotus R Domino R and works with existing enterprise systems to enable secure, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data.
To support the launch of BlackBerry, Etisalat has entered into a strategic partnership with Emitac Mobile Solutions (EMS), a Dubai-based mobile systems integrator and provider of wireless handheld business solutions. EMS will assist Etisalat in launching, delivering, supporting and selling BlackBerry from Etisalat in the UAE. Together, EMS and Etisalat will address the UAE market by delivering a suite of BlackBerry-enabled solutions to Etisalat's customers.
"With more than five million subscribers today, BlackBerry is a popular and proven solution that continues to gain momentum around the world as organisations seek ways to keep their mobile employees connected to the information and communications important to their day. We are pleased to be working with Etisalat and EMS to offer BlackBerry in the UAE. This is a significant opportunity in one of the world's fastest growing economic centres," commented Charmaine Eggberry, Vice President, Enterprise Business Unit, Research In Motion.
"The end-to-end BlackBerry solution is now launched in the UAE and fully supported through Etisalat," said Essa Al Haddad, Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat. "Results from pilot testing show that the market in the UAE is ready for BlackBerry. We are confident that the BlackBerry solution we offer - the handheld devices, software, wireless services and on-site professional services- will all be embraced by the corporate and technology markets.
BlackBerry from Etisalat will address the serious business needs of the UAE's high powered, and very mobile, corporate workforce." "We are proud that Etisalat is bringing BlackBerry to the region with a unique customer care component. Etisalat will pro-actively monitor BlackBerry usage within a corporate network, offering 4 levels of advanced customer care, including project management and on-site service within hours of an incoming call. We anticipate the success of BlackBerry here will mirror its success in other parts of the world. Information about the features of specific products, as well as pricing and roaming capabilities will be announced shortly," Mark Davis, Business Development Manager- Corporate, Etisalat.
Etisalat unveiled BlackBerry at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), home to the world's newest, global trading partner.
DIFC now links Dubai with the world's other financial centers in locations such as New York, London and Hong Kong, DIFC also participated in a BlackBerry pilot program from Etisalat and is the regional financial center between Western Europe and East Asia.
"With the strong economic growth in the region it is imperative for professionals in the United Arab Emirates to have the latest information at their fingertips anywhere and anytime," said Nasser Alshaali, , Chief Operating Officer of the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX). "The easy-to-use BlackBerry solution offered through Etisalat will only accelerate the region's growth as one of the top business and financial markets.
BlackBerry is certainly a must-have tool for business and mobile professionals around the world and has seen significant adoption in the financial sector and we are looking forward to adopting BlackBerry in the local market." "We are very pleased that Etisalat has elected to work with EMS," said Derek Roga, CEO of EMS. "The EMS mission is to provide telecommunication service providers with an efficient method to rapidly deploy the BlackBerry wireless communications platform." WAM/AZ 10 51 CCCCQQE
Etisalat will be the first service provider to introduce the BlackBerry wireless platform in Middle East Gulf region.
Etisalat will initially offer the BlackBerry 8700gTM and the BlackBerry 7290TM handsets. These devices provide an intuitive user experience with support for email, phone, SMS, Internet, organiser and corporate data applications. These quad-band devices operate on Etisalat's GSM/GPRS network and, with more than 100 global roaming relationships in more than 40 countries.
The recently introduced BlackBerry 8700g features a completely re-engineered BlackBerry device platform that includes an IntelR XScale R cellular processor to deliver faster performance for web browsing, application use and attachment viewing. In addition, the BlackBerry 8700g provides a bright, high resolution LCD screen that supports more than 65,000 colors and delivers vivid graphics.
It also incorporates an intelligent light-sensing technology that automatically adjusts the screen and keyboard lighting to provide optimised viewing in outdoor, indoor and dark environments.
The BlackBerry 8700g also includes premium phone features such as dedicated 'send,' 'end' and 'mute' keys, smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing, call forwarding, speakerphone and Bluetooth R support for hands-free use with car kits and wireless headsets.
The BlackBerry 7290 delivers an exceptional voice experience with Bluetooth and quad-band support, operating on the GSM/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 MHz frequencies. In addition, the BlackBerry 7290 features 32 MB flash memory and 4 SRAM, a bright LED backlight, as well as an optimised QWERTY keyboard style for easy dialing and typing. The high-resolution screen displays crisp images with support for more than 65,000 colors, while continuing to offer superior battery life for optimal wireless performance.
The BlackBerry 8700g and BlackBerry 7290 operate in conjunction with BlackBerry Enterprise Server TM, which tightly integrates with Microsoft R Exchange, Novell GroupWise R and IBM Lotus R Domino R and works with existing enterprise systems to enable secure, push-based wireless access to email and other corporate data.
To support the launch of BlackBerry, Etisalat has entered into a strategic partnership with Emitac Mobile Solutions (EMS), a Dubai-based mobile systems integrator and provider of wireless handheld business solutions. EMS will assist Etisalat in launching, delivering, supporting and selling BlackBerry from Etisalat in the UAE. Together, EMS and Etisalat will address the UAE market by delivering a suite of BlackBerry-enabled solutions to Etisalat's customers.
"With more than five million subscribers today, BlackBerry is a popular and proven solution that continues to gain momentum around the world as organisations seek ways to keep their mobile employees connected to the information and communications important to their day. We are pleased to be working with Etisalat and EMS to offer BlackBerry in the UAE. This is a significant opportunity in one of the world's fastest growing economic centres," commented Charmaine Eggberry, Vice President, Enterprise Business Unit, Research In Motion.
"The end-to-end BlackBerry solution is now launched in the UAE and fully supported through Etisalat," said Essa Al Haddad, Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat. "Results from pilot testing show that the market in the UAE is ready for BlackBerry. We are confident that the BlackBerry solution we offer - the handheld devices, software, wireless services and on-site professional services- will all be embraced by the corporate and technology markets.
BlackBerry from Etisalat will address the serious business needs of the UAE's high powered, and very mobile, corporate workforce." "We are proud that Etisalat is bringing BlackBerry to the region with a unique customer care component. Etisalat will pro-actively monitor BlackBerry usage within a corporate network, offering 4 levels of advanced customer care, including project management and on-site service within hours of an incoming call. We anticipate the success of BlackBerry here will mirror its success in other parts of the world. Information about the features of specific products, as well as pricing and roaming capabilities will be announced shortly," Mark Davis, Business Development Manager- Corporate, Etisalat.
Etisalat unveiled BlackBerry at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), home to the world's newest, global trading partner.
DIFC now links Dubai with the world's other financial centers in locations such as New York, London and Hong Kong, DIFC also participated in a BlackBerry pilot program from Etisalat and is the regional financial center between Western Europe and East Asia.
"With the strong economic growth in the region it is imperative for professionals in the United Arab Emirates to have the latest information at their fingertips anywhere and anytime," said Nasser Alshaali, , Chief Operating Officer of the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX). "The easy-to-use BlackBerry solution offered through Etisalat will only accelerate the region's growth as one of the top business and financial markets.
BlackBerry is certainly a must-have tool for business and mobile professionals around the world and has seen significant adoption in the financial sector and we are looking forward to adopting BlackBerry in the local market." "We are very pleased that Etisalat has elected to work with EMS," said Derek Roga, CEO of EMS. "The EMS mission is to provide telecommunication service providers with an efficient method to rapidly deploy the BlackBerry wireless communications platform." WAM/AZ 10 51 CCCCQQE