UAE telco du has blocked services to almost 40,000 counterfeit mobile phones, following a crackdown on illegal handsets.

In accordance with a directive from the UAE regulator, du said in a statement last week it would block all unauthorised international mobile equipment identities (IMEI) from December 21 to January 19 next year.

“We are happy to report our satisfaction with the public’s positive reaction to our SMS campaigns that continued over the past weeks. We started the campaign with 57,338 identified false IMEI’s, (53,500 owned by individual consumers and 3,838 enterprise customers),” du said in a statement.

A further 17,797 identified devices with unauthorised IMEIs will be blocked as part of the operation, the statement added.

The move is in accordance with the directive from the Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA), to protect the UAE’s consumers from the downfalls of using fake mobile handsets illegally in the UAE.

Du and rival Etisalat have been asked to identify counterfeit handsets and cut services to them by the end of 2011 and pass on their numbers to the regulator.

UAE law prohibits the use, sale, purchase or distribution of fake mobile phones and those violating the law will be given notices and fines and in some cases their retail licences withdrawn, the TRA said.

There are some 11 million mobile phones in use in the country, it added.

Dubai, UAE : Dubai Airport Freezone and du announced signing of a strategic partnership deal under which du will provide a comprehensive suite of integrated services to companies in the zone. The agreement was signed by Osman Sultan, CEO, du, and Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General, Dubai Airport Freezone, during a special ceremony held in DAFZA, in the presence of Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du and representatives from executive management of both companies.

The partnership will offer an all-inclusive service that will provide wide-ranging state-of-the-art telecom facilities to the award-winning free zone.

In addition to the full suite of broadcast, mobile and fixed telecom services, du will also offer customised business solutions and dedicated account and project managers, taking advantage of its advanced network.

Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, added, “This strategic alignment with du is a win-win agreement, and will surely help our clients in the Freezone   to achieve their goals, by utilising the integrated set of telecom products and services that the partnership is providing. We would like to extend a very warm welcome to du, and we look forward to developing this alliance further in the future.”

“Our partnership with DAFZA is a strategic step for us, and we are keen to offer our integrated services to them and their clients,” commented Osman Sultan, CEO, du. “We are confident that our innovative business solutions will enable DAFZA’s customers to achieve their targets in the most efficient way, while benefiting from the exclusive packages that we are offering them.”

All DAFZA enterprise customers will be able to avail the best value propositions and benefits, such as Real Business Broadband, Business Voice – Call Select or Fixed Voice services to 190 countries, Business Super Plans, favourable enterprise-specific handset offers, and the choice of the mobile broadband HSPA+ (4G) network in the populated areas in the UAE.

Dubai, UAE : Mia Donna Quinto has even more reason to love du, as the lucky winner of the telecommunications company’s F1 SMS competition! Her prize is a once in a lifetime trip to the Formula 1 Grande Prêmio Petrobras Do Brasil 2011, in addition to two tickets to the 2011 Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

As part of her prize, Ms Quinto will also receive two return air tickets, hotel accommodation, and Red Bull Racing merchandise.

“I was shocked and excited when I found out that I won, I couldn’t believe it! I’ve been an avid fan of Formula One since I was a teenager and I feel very thankful and blessed that du has given me this great opportunity,” said Ms Quinto. “I never expected du to give such prizes to its customers, it is a privilege and an amazing experience to be a du customer because the company gives back so much.”

du has also announced the winner of the Facebook Formula One social media campaign. As part of their prize, Delaine D’Costa and her husband, Jackson, had the opportunity to meet current World Champion Formula One Red Bull Racing driver Sebastian Vettel, along with an exclusive behind the scenes look at how the Red Bull Racing team prepared for the race in Abu Dhabi.

“It was a really good experience to meet Sebastian Vettel. Actually it was the first time I’d been to a Formula One race, and it was amazing to experience it in this way,” said Ms D’Costa.

“We pride ourselves on being able to surprise our customers by bringing even more excitement, enjoyment and value to their experience with us. Our partnership with Red Bull Racing for the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has allowed us to offer such sensational prizes to our customers,” said Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du. “Our congratulations go out to Ms Quinto and Ms D’Costa, and we look forward to surprising many more customers in the months to come.”

du, who has the fastest nationwide 4G (HSPA+) network*, partnered with the fastest team on the planet, Red Bull Racing, for the second consecutive year at the Abu Dhabi F1 race. As part of the partnership, the Red Bull Racing cars and team uniforms featured du’s logo at the 2011 Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

*Covers 99.8% of the populated areas in the UAE.

Luxembourg and Dubai, UAE,

In a regional first, du has partnered with Intelsat S.A, the world’s leading provider of satellite services, to bring jointly offered turnkey multi channel per carrier (MCPC) channel solutions to the Middle East on Intelsat 10. Located at 68.5ºE, the satellite offers a premier video neighborhood spanning Africa, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.

The Intelsat 10 MCPC platform in Dubai will enable Middle Eastern, European, U.S. and Asian programmers to reach customers in Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. The IntelsatONE MCPC platform leverages MPEG-4 and DVB-S2 technology to optimize bandwidth and offer cost-effective solutions for customers.

“This agreement will broaden our services portfolio, allowing us to offer a new platform to our clients while penetrating new markets. In addition, it will quickly and efficiently take our media customers to the global stage,” said Mohamed Al Shahi, Senior Director Broadcasting, du. “The new Intelsat 10 MCPC platform is an ideal solution for programmers in the Middle East who seek to deliver their content to millions of viewers across three vast regions.”

The partnership will enable du to leverage its own international fiber interconnectivity to bring content to the Middle East and uplink it from the Intelsat MCPC platform.

du will host the new platform at its state-of-the-art teleport facility located near Dubai Media City, which currently serves 221 TV channels on various platforms and has been ranked among the top 15 independent teleports by the World Teleport Association. The MCPC services to be offered will include encoding, encryption, multiplexing, uplinking and space segment. Customers can backhaul their channels to the teleport for insertion into the MCPC platform via fiber or satellite.

”This new MCPC platform strengthens our presence in the Middle East and improves our service capabilities, allowing television programmers in the region to expand their reach across multiple continents,” said Kurt Riegelman, Intelsat’s Senior Vice President of Global Sales. “This collaboration will greatly improve the accessibility of our satellites and IntelsatONE ground infrastructure in this region, thereby supporting the strong demand for television programming originating in the Middle East.”

Dubai : Marking a new dimension in efficient and secure delivery of e-business services to its business customers, du announced its strategic alliance agreement with Akamai Technologies (Nasdaq: AKAM), the leading provider of cloud optimisation services. An agreement was signed to this effect by Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du, and Bruno L. Haubertin, Director, Business Development EMEA, Akamai Technologies International AG, in the presence of other senior officials.

Leveraging Akamai’s global EdgePlatform, this agreement will provide du’s business customers with a worldwide content reach and the ability to significantly enhance the customer experience of their end users.

Through this agreement, du will be able to offer faster delivery of secure cloud based delivery services such as HD video streaming, application, and site delivery to its business customers via Akamai’s globally distributed delivery platform. The content will be sourced from the nearest cloud of Akamai’s geographically distributed 95,000+ servers, within over 1,000 networks of Akamai coverage in 75 countries. Furthermore, access to content of du’s corporate clients will be much faster for their end users for any kind of media, both online as well as on mobile devices.

du’s Chief Commercial Officer, Farid Faraidooni said: “Our alliance with Akamai is an important component of a far bigger initiative that we are currently working on. We believe it will significantly enhance the experience of content delivery. By serving out content from a geographical location much closer to the end user, this content can be delivered much more efficiently and much faster. This benefits not only our corporate customers as content providers, but particularly their customers as end users.”

Bruno L. Haubertin, Director, Business Development - EMEA, Akamai Technologies International AG,

said: “Akamai makes it easier for companies to be successful online by ensuring better performance, greater scale, and multi-layered security. We are glad to be working with a forward thinking company like du. Our forte lies in managing web traffic, and we are confident that together, we can work to offer a better user experience and delivery of e-business services to du’s customers.”

Mobile number portability in the United Arab Emirates has been further delayed, the chief executive of telecoms operator du said Tuesday.

The latest deadline to launch the service had been the end of September and would have allowed customers of du and rival Etisalat to switch providers and keep the same phone number, a move seen increasing competition.

The UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) had previously said number portability would be available by mid-2008, yet more than three years later consumers are facing a further wait.

When asked if number portability had been delayed again, Osman Sultan, du’s chief executive said, “That is correct.”

“We were testing. In the testing phase certain technical issues can appear. We are just evaluating how long it will take,” he said.

Sultan refused to predict when the service would be introduced. The TRA was not immediately available for comment.

HTC Touch Pro2 and HD2 among phones that subscribers can choose as part of highly attractive package    

HTC HD2

UAE – August 8, 2010 – HTC Corporation, a global designer of smartphones, has announced that it has tied up with telecommunications service provider du for the new Smart Business Plan that du has introduced for subscribers in the UAE.

According to the terms of the new plan, business customers under the Smart Business Plan will enjoy features such as unlimited internet and email bundles, national and international minutes and more, starting from as low as AED 350 per month. Also, business customers can now enjoy one unified and attractive rate of AED 1 per 50KB for data usage outside the UAE, anytime, anywhere.

Subscribers opting for the Smart Business Plan at AED 350 can avail of the Touch Pro2 handset with a one-time upfront payment of just AED 999 and the HD2 for just AED 1,399.

“This latest plan introduced by du leverages the distinct advantages of Windows 6.5 phones which offer features such as HSDPA, WiFi and Bluetooth, among others. Evidently the plan is designed to deliver maximum value for money to the subscribers and HTC is enthusiastic about teaming up with du for this attractive promotion. The two HTC phones that are part of the Smart Business Plan have already made its mark in the regional markets and are among our most popular phones,” said Nikitas Glykas, Regional Director of HTC South Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Integrating innovative simplicity with unique style and an intuitive interface, the HTC Touch Pro2 balances function, form and cutting-edge technology to personalise the communication and mobile Internet experience. The device leverages voice in a new way to create one of the most sophisticated communication experiences found on a mobile phone, with the incorporation of HTC’s Straight Talk technology that delivers an integrated email, voice and speakerphone experience. Users can transition seamlessly from email to single or multi-party conference calls and turn any location into a conference room.

“We are delighted to be collaborating with HTC, which is a highly respected smart phone provider, and we look forward to a successful partnership with them.  The HTC smart phones are already hugely popular in the region, and by coupling all the benefits of du’s excellent value Smart Business Plan with these cutting edge handsets, we are able to provide our business customers with one of the most unique and competitive business mobile offerings in the market,” commented Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du.

Other features of the Touch Pro2 include HTC’s latest TouchFLO 3D interface, Push Internet technology, and HTC’s people-centric communication approach that provides a single contact view that displays the individual conversation history of contacts regardless of whether voice, text or email were used.   
 
The HTC HD2 on the other hand is the first Windows phone with HTC Sense, a customer experience focused on putting people at the centre by making their phones work in a more simple, natural and personal way. With its industry-leading, high-resolution, 4.3-inch capacitive touch display, the ultra thin HTC HD2 delivers more visible content in a sharper, brighter and richer way.

As a new Windows phone, the HTC HD2 showcases the powerful messaging, browsing and productivity capabilities delivered by Windows Mobile® 6.5. Offering a best-in-class email experience complete with the ability to synchronise with Microsoft Exchange, users will have the ability to check and manage multiple email accounts. Microsoft’s new My Phone service enables users to automatically back up and sync photos, music, contacts and text messages for free from the HD2 to the web.

For more information about the Smart Business Plan, customers may call 800 188, visit any du or axiom shop or log on to www.du.ae.

Dubai, UAE, 28 April 2010: In another first-time initiative in the UAE, du announced today that it will be franchising its du Shops in various phases throughout 2010. This comes as part of its ongoing strategy to provide a unique and convenient experience for customers.  The project will expand du’s retail scope and boost convenience for customers throughout the UAE, providing greater flexibility and availability through the proliferation of anytime, anywhere du outlets.

The company launched the first step in the franchise module today, as part of its partnership with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Young Business Leaders - part of Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development. The collaboration will give priority to UAE national entrepreneurs when applying for a franchise with du, providing them with the opportunity to showcase their abilities and grow professionally.

“This initiative is yet another example of du’s commitment to providing customers with easy and convenient ‘anytime, anywhere’ accessibility, by broadening du’s retail scope across the UAE, while also offering a unique customer experience with a local flavour,” commented Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du.

“We are proud to announce our partnership with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme. This first phase in our franchise module aims to support the state’s Emiratisation efforts – in-line with our own Emiritisation strategy - by giving UAE nationals entrepreneurs the chance to develop the state’s small and medium enterprises (SME) business sector and thereby enabling them to contribute to the UAE’s economy,” commented Faraidooni.

As part of the franchise project, du will give support to its selected franchisees by providing them with training and marketing collateral, as well as suggesting suitable locations to set up their retail outlets. The company’s support plan aims to assist local entrepreneurs in establishing their businesses, while also ensuring du customer relations are maintained at the  highest standards.

“Our partnership with du comes in-line with our commitment to affiliate with different organisations in Dubai to strengthen the participation of UAE nationals in the business sector. du is one of the UAE’s fastest and most successful companies and will therefore benefit small and medium businesses through this project by helping them to develop and grow,” commented Abdul Baset Al Janahi, Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development.

The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Young Business Leaders forms part of the ‘Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation’, which promotes human development and provides hope and opportunity by investing in education and knowledge-development in the region. The Foundation aims to open doors for future generations of leaders in the region and shape their future by equipping them with world-class knowledge and education.

Staying in touch is a primary requisite of both individuals and eterprises. Telecommunications today forms an integral part of the UAE economy. The franchise opportunity provides a golden scope for self-driven UAE nationals to make the most of today and secure a prosperous future for themselves and also contribute to the growth of the economy. The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Young Business Leaders invites interested UAE nationals to apply for the opportunity through the establishment.

UAE; Dubai, March 16, 2010: Mohamed Zain Al Abdin was delightfully surprised when he received a phone call to say that he won the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) grand prize sponsored by ENOC and du. A resident of Dubai for five years, Mohammad, an 18 year-old Pakistani student won through his father, who bought AED 200 worth of non-fuel products from an ENOC retail outlet in Al Qusais.

The grand prize, a luxury apartment in Jumeirah Lake Towers, was the highlight of the New Life campaign of ENOC’s unique campaign titled, ‘Win the key to your new life’.

Commenting on his win Al Abdin said, “When I received the phone call that I won, I thought that one of my friends was pulling a prank on me because I wasn’t the one who purchased the tickets. It was only when I called my father to tell him the good news that I believed we had won because he was the one who put our names there.”

Al Abdin family plans to live in the apartment for some time before they sell it to pay loans that were incurred by his father as a result of the financial crisis.

“My father was in the heavy construction business, but the financial crisis hit my father’s buisness badly. We plan to sell the house shortly after sometime and give the money to my father as a token of gratitude for what has given us in life, “ Abdin added. “I thank God and thank ENOC and du for coming up with such promotions and giving out such valuable prizes that make such a big difference in people’s lives – I feel truly blessed.”

Zaid Alqufaidi, Chief Executive Officer – Retail Business Stream, ENOC, said: “ENOC has been a key sponsor of DSF since the initiative was launched in 1996 because we believe that together with DSF we can touch the lives of people. Since DSF’s inception we have given away many luxury cars and cash prizes worth millions of dirhams. It shows our commitment to fulfilling people’s dreams year after year. We congratulate the winner and wish him all the best.”

“We extend our warm congratulations to our young winner,” commented Abdul Rahman Mohamed Al Balooshi, Strategic National Accounts Manager, du. “Our promotions are aimed at making a difference in people’s lives whenever possible and we are happy that this initiative has succeeded in giving a young man hope for himself and his family’s future.”

ENOC DSF campaign, “Win the key to your new life” also offered DSF shoppers the chance to win 30 Nissan cars in raffle prizes, AED 200,000 worth of gold, AED 100,000 worth of diamonds and the luxury apartment at Jumeirah Lake Towers, everytime they spent AED 20 on non-fuel products

SOURCE: Khaleej Times

27 July 2009 DUBAI - A surge in the number of new subscribers contributed to record second-quarter earnings for du, the country’s No. 2 telecom operator, with the company claiming on Sunday to have secured a 30 per cent share of the UAE mobile phone market a year ahead 
of its plan.

Du, which launched operations in 2007, posted Dh242 million in net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization for the April-June quarter. The result marked a 52 per cent increase over the comparable income figure for the first quarter and a 734 per cent jump from the second quarter of 2008, du’s first full year 
of operations.

Du took a provision for a 50 per cent royalty fee it expects to have to pay to the government. Its second-quarter net income, after this provision, improved to Dh115.3 million, more than double its Dh47 million net income for the first quarter and a turnaround from a second-quarter loss of Dh44 million in 2008, the company said in a statement.

Osman Sultan, du’s Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement that the operator’s launch this spring of its first post-paid billing service helped propel its growth.

Sleiman Aboulhosn, an analyst at Abu Dhabi-based Prime Emirates, told Reuters that du’s quarterly profit was ahead of his estimates, as revenue per available user (ARPU) picked up by 5 per cent in the second quarter after dropping by 14 per cent in the first quarter and after du’s main competitor Emirates Telecommunications Corporation, or etisalat, lost 
80,000 subscribers.

“People are starting to realise the value du is offering … In these times people want to cut costs and focus on expenses,” Aboulhosn said, referring to cheaper international and local calls offered by the Dubai-based operator.

Du’s revenues in the second quarter rose to Dh1.31 billion, up by 12 per cent from the first quarter and 44 per cent higher than the same period last year. The company attributed this revenue growth in particular to a continued increase in mobile subscribers and a strong performance from its wholesale business.

The firm’s number of mobile subscribers in the second quarter increased to 2.9 million following a net addition of 155,900 subscribers at a time when mobile subscriber growth in the UAE slowed amid the economic downturn. 

“Having already reached our target of 30 per cent market share one year ahead of schedule, we are now working towards capturing 35 per cent of the market in 2010.  However, we do expect to be operating in challenging times for the next one or two quarters,” du Chariman Ahmed bin Byat said in
the statement.

Du’s shares closed 4.8 per cent higher at Dh2.82 on the Dubai Financial Market following the announcement.