ConnectA Zain Magazine | September 2011 Issue 14

OPEN SESAME ZAIN CREATES A WONDERFUL WORLD OF HAPPINESS DURING

HELPING SAVE LIVES ON THE ROAD • SIMON COWELL’S • TAKE A TABLET • UP IN THE CLOUDS • THE BARBIE STORY • MADA’IN ’S MAJESTY رﺳﺎﻟرﺳﺎﻟﺔﺔ اﻟاﻟﻤﻤﺪاﻟﻤﺪﻳﺮﻳﺮ اﻟﻌاﻟﻌﺎمﺎم اﻟﻟﺘﻨﺘﻨﻔﻔﻴﺬﺬياﻟﺘﻨﻔﻴﺬي

Be the first to subscribe to Zain’s 4G LTE technology, with internet speeds reaching 100 mbps. Subscribe now and get the 4G LTE modem free.

For more information, visit www.sa.zain.com, or your nearest Zain outlet, or call 0590000959 or 959 from your Zain line.

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Satisfy your need for speed.

أﻳﺎأﻳﺎرر 20201111 ﻛﻛﻮﻧﻜﺖﻮﻧﻜﺖ 3 رﺳﺎﻟرﺳﺎﻟﺔﺔ اﻟاﻟﻤﻤﺪاﻟﻤﺪﻳﺮﻳﺮ اﻟﻌاﻟﻌﺎمﺎم اﻟﻟﺘﻨﺘﻨﻔﻔﻴﺬﺬياﻟﺘﻨﻔﻴﺬي

Be the first to subscribe to Zain’s 4G LTE technology, with internet speeds reaching 100 mbps. Subscribe now and get the 4G LTE modem free.

For more information, visit www.sa.zain.com, or your nearest Zain outlet, or call 0590000959 or 959 from your Zain line.

www.facebook.com/zainworld Follow us www.twitter.com/zainhelpsa

Satisfy your need for speed.

أﻳﺎأﻳﺎرر 20201111 ﻛﻛﻮﻧﻜﺖﻮﻧﻜﺖ 3 CEO’S MESSAGE

Entering an exciting era with new challenges

elcome to issue 14 of Connect, Zain’s international mobile network operator, Zain is obliged corporate magazine in which we report on to make safe driving one of our core CSR mandates. Wour corporate, community support (CSR) and Sadly, in the the official figures for road entertainment activities as as feature articles that accidents speak for themselves and show an urgent both reflect the countries in which we operate and our need for a network operator to play its part in core values of radiance, heart and belonging. awareness creation. It is an obligation which we simply cannot ignore. I am pleased to announce that Zain’s consolidated financial results for the half-year ending 30 June 2011 Elsewhere, one of our recent TV commercials titled showed healthy growth in several key performance “Help the Environment” shows our concern for the indicators especially our impressive 16% year-on-year planet on which we live. The ad is a reminder that we customer growth across all operations that saw the must do all we can to save our Earth. It is our moral duty company adding over 100,000 customers per week to to remind our customers that our planet is priceless. be serving 39.6 million active customers as of June 30. The Holy Month of Ramadan is the perfect time for Zain Zain has launched a host of new and attractive to show its commitment to the communities we serve. services across all operations, while many of our Across all our operations, we have initiated a variety of operations have upgraded and successfully launched programs. Whether it is handing out Iftar meals, ultra fast internet access through HSPA+, and most allowing customers to make charity donations via their recently we rolled out 4th generation LTE in Saudi mobile phones, providing hundreds of thousands of Arabia, the first country in the Middle East to benefit umbrellas to protect performing the and from high speeds of up to 150 Mbps. We have also from the sun, or hosting entertainment events for partnered with the world’s leading technology children and the sick, Zain was there. companies such as Apple, Motorola, RIM and Samsung to offer the iPhone4, Xoom, BlackBerry Finally, I am delighted to announce that the company PlayBook and the Galaxy Tab respectively as well as is embracing the social media era with the launching an array of other offerings. of Group Twitter (www.twitter.com/zain), Facebook (www.facebook.com/zain) and YouTube On July 9, we welcomed the newly recognized nation (www.youtube.com/zain) accounts along with all our of South Sudan to the Zain family and have wasted no country operations that are actively doing the same time in rolling out advanced mobile services to the for their customers. Social media is now an essential people of South Sudan, welcoming them warmly to part of daily life, and Zain’s presence on these Zain’s ‘wonderful world’. Zain’s communication important sites demonstrates our commitment to the network, official outlets, CSR projects and new way in which the world is communicating. entertainment and social activities are testament to the company’s commitment to this vibrant new country. I hope you all enjoy reading the magazine.

One of the highlights of the year so far has to be our Nabeel Bin Salamah “Drive Zain”, a huge CSR and media awareness Chief Executive Officer campaign initially launched in Kuwait to highlight the Zain Group dangers of using mobile phones while driving. As an

3 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 CONTENTS

28

3 Message from the CEO 28 RAMADAN SPECIAL A month of giving ALERTS Ramadan was a chance for Zain to 6 In the news celebrate with its customers. Zain’s financial results for the first six months of 2011 show impres- 36 GIVING BACK sive growth. Zain launches iPhone Contributions to the social 4 in Bahrain, and Kuwait. and economic development Bahrain signs agreement with of our communities Twitter. consolidates its cus- In Bahrain the Zain Future University tomer data into a single database Network (F.U.N.) accepts 15 university with Nokia Siemens Networks. students to its summer program. Iraq Jordan wins the 2011 Global lends its support to journalists and 52 Telecoms Business Innovations their families. Jordan works to support Award for its E-Mal service. KSA underprivileged families. KSA releases launches high-speed 4G wireless ‘A Wonderful World’, its first annual technology. Kuwait notches up 2 sustainability report. Kuwait launches million customers. looks Drive Zain, a multimedia awareness to HSPA+ technoology. South and action campaign. Sudan celebrat- Sudan joins the Zain family. ed World Environment Day under the slogan, “Forests are our wealth”. 20 GIANTS IN TIME Master of mean 42 METROPOLIS Simon Cowell may be the man Entertainment activities everyone loves to hate, but he’s across all operations laughing all the way to the bank. Zain Group CEO Nabeel Bin Salamah is honored at the 10th Arab Telecom 24 JOURNEY and Internet Forum in Beirut. Bahrain ’s silent city is platinum sponsor of the Mada’in Saleh dating back to 168 International e-Government Forum BCE, is an archeological wonder 2011. Zain Iraq’s mini-soccer team carved in stone . wins the first Telecom Day 20 Championship. Jordan to serve micro-

4 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 COVER PHOTO: For Ramadan, the version of “Sesame Street” got together on TV with “ Got Talent” star Hala Turk

Contributors: Mona Alami, Maya Khourchid, Nicholas Lowry, Matt Nash, Norbert Schiller, Gareth Smyth

Photography: Norbert Schiller private collection, Zain Group, Reuters, Getty, Shutterstock

Editing: Vinehouse Media 56 Color Separation and Printing: credit financing companies through its www.raidy.com pioneering E-Mal service. KSA announces its the three-year sponsorship Produced by: of the Abha Festival. Kuwait hosts soccer Zain Group star Fernando Morientes. Lebanon’s mtc Communications touch is seven years old and Sudan Department with launches poetry by Raoda Al Haj. Vinehouse Media

48 MOBILE LIFE Hang up and drive Using a mobile phone behind the wheel is a dangerous, and sometimes fatal, distraction. 48

52 Servers in the sky Software and data storage are finding a silver lining with cloud computing.

56 Good things, small packages Tablets are quickly gaining in populari- ty, but will they replace laptops? Zain Group 60 RADIANCE Head Office Building No need to panic P.O. Box 22244 How to reduce the health risks from 13083 Safat extensive mobile phone use. Kuwait City Kuwait 62 ICONS OF DESIGN Tel.: +965 24644444 Life in plastic is fantastic Fax: +965 24641111 Welcome to Barbie’s world, where www.zain.com fashion reigns supreme and all else is [email protected] just an accessory. 60

5 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 ALERTS

GROUP A solid six months ain’s consolidated financial results Zfor the half year ending 30 June, 2011, showed healthy growth in several key performance indicators. For the first half of 2011, the company recorded consolidated revenues of KD659.4 million ($2.381 billion), reflecting a 2% increase on the same period in H1-2010. The period witnessed net income increasing to KD140.2 million ($506.5 million), an impressive 17% hike on the same period in H1-2010. The company’s consolidated EBITDA reached KD293.1 million ($1.058 billion), up 6% on H1- 2010, reflecting an EBITDA margin of 44% (up one percentage point) with EBIT of KD210 million ($758.3 million), a 6% increase on H1-2010. Earnings per share reached 36 fils ($0.13). Year-on-year customer growth across company serving 39.6 million active Group added 5.4 million new active all operations was 16%, with the customers as of June 30. The Zain customers over the past 12 months.

Happy birthday GSM

ain would like to wish a happy was made in Helsinki, Finland Zbirthday to GSM technology, on the Radiolinja’s network which turned 20 on July 1. It was when Prime Minister Harri on that day in 1991 that the Holkeri called deputy mayor of world’s first commercial GSM call Tampere, Kaarina Suonio.

iPhone 4 takes off o kick off the summer, Zain, in A4 chip and includes of a 5 TJune, launched the iPhone 4 megapixel camera with LED in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, flash, HD video recording and a with different payment plans for beautiful glass and stainless steel customers. iPhone 4 is one of the design. The device comes with most innovative smartphones in iOS 4, the world’s most the world, featuring Apple’s advanced mobile operating unique retina display. The result system. The revolutionary App is super crisp text, images, video Store provides access to more and video calling through the than 425,000 apps, including the exclusive feature, FaceTime. iMovie app created just for iPhone 4 is powered by Apple’s iPhone 4.

6 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 BAHRAIN A league of his own he GM of Zain Bahrain, under-40 years old category for TMohammed Zainalabedin, the second time. The ranking, was named by the prestigious which tracks the most promising industry journal Global Telecoms executives around the world in Business as a key industry trend- the global telecom industry, first setter in the global top 40, featured Zainalabedin in 2009. Keeping in touch

To better serve at home he Zain Broadband Family Offer Tprovides up to four mobile broadband connections from home with support for a variety of devices. Prices per month vary according to the number of connections and start at as little as BD 4 ($10.60) for one connection. Each connection comes with a device, and MiFi and e-GO devices ain reached out to the large selection of Indian music can be are free. Available to all new and existing Zexpatriate community in downloaded on mobiles and Zain home broadband customers, the Bahrain by connecting them to Connecting Tunes has been service also comes with flexible payment their homelands. An SMS news updated to offer songs from plans for a range of tablets. service now delivers breaking international stars like Mika, Usher, news from ; a popular Rihanna and Kesha. Sky’s the limit he summer was all about promoting the best Zain Thas to offer and began in June, starting with No Limits!, a service that allows customers to make free calls and send free SMSes to all Zain numbers for a daily fee. There is no limit to the duration of calls, and there is no limit to the number of SMSes as long as the recipient is part of the Zain network. The offer is available for a 24-hour period to all new and existing Hewar postpaid and eeZee prepaid customers for only 200 fils ($0.50). Once activated, the subscription will be automatically renewed on a daily basis until the customer chooses to unsubscribe, with the amount automatically deducted from the eeZee customer’s prepaid balance. For Hewar postpaid customers, the charge will appear on their monthly bills.

7 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 BAHRAIN The BlackBerry PlayBook n May, Zain began offering Cortex A9 and 1 GB RAM. The Icustomers the BlackBerry tablet is also fitted with dual PlayBook at the company’s cameras: three megapixels in the Experience Shops at competitive front and five megapixels in the prices with low monthly installment back, and customers can choose purchase plans. The BlackBerry between 16GB, 32GB and 64GB Playbook is ultra portable, boasting versions. It is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth professional-grade performance, enabled, offering instant and is ideal for businesses activities. connectivity with other gadgets With the BlackBerry Tablet OS, such as mobiles and laptops. It customers can connect anytime, features full HD video support, anywhere with friends and audio playback support, associates and enjoy the video chat multitasking support and the experience. Other features include operating system supports a seven-inch capacitive display with OpenGL, POSIX, HTML5, Flash multi-touch, 1GHZ Dual Core CPU, and Adobe AIR apps.

ALL A-TWITTER Zain has joined social networking site Twitter. 3,000 reasons to enjoy more Customers can “tweet” n mid August, Zain upgraded its all networks), 3 GB free data usage and via SMS on the go Ipopular Hewar 990 postpaid package, 100 free sms all for only BD 29 ($77 per throughout the kingdom adding thousands of extra minutes, free month). Hewar 990 customers can also or when roaming. data and more SMS units. Hewar 990 is choose from a variety of free devices, twitter.com/zainbahrain now the most generous package on the including smartphones and tablets. market, with 3,000 free local minutes (to Window to the future ain and Microsoft entered online activities. It includes Za strategic partnership in photo sharing, e-mailing June to provide the latest and instant messaging. generation of co-branded Users also have easy access Windows Live – an to contacts, calendars, social integrated set of online networks and media services – making it easier content. It includes the and more fun for customers popular Hotmail and MSN to communicate. This latest Messenger programs and is version of Windows Live an all-encompassing consists of cutting-edge platform that provides Internet WEB services and online file storage facilities, applications developed by a blog and personal Microsoft to help Zain webpage, photo and video customers connect, editing programs, online consolidate their data and parental controls and a efficiently manage their Windows Live toolbar.

8 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 Riding the smartphone wave ain joined forces with Nokia in May, Zallowing customers to benefit from the business applications and services offered on the Nokia E7 smartphone. Zain Bahrain customers, whether post- or prepaid, can now subscribe to a data package for three months and get three months free. For maximum flexibility, Zain is offering four data packages ranging from 600 MB to 15 GB. Primarily a business phone, the Nokia E7 features a wide range of entertainment and social services, making it the perfect off- duty companion. The Ovi Store offers a wealth of apps, such as Bloomberg, Angry Birds and Sports Tracker. The latest commercial version of Ovi Maps, available immediately via Ovi Store or Ovi Suite, provides services for subways, trams and trains, real-time traffic, safety alerts, parking and petrol stations, search and location sharing capabilities. speed limit warnings, and improved Streamlined A Galaxy in your hand operations lobitel, the telecom solutions n July, Zain was the first operator portfolio of attractive and Gprovider, concluded the Ito introduce the new Samsung affordable packages, starting from Workforce Management Platform Galaxy SII smartphone at its Zain’s as low as BD10 ($26.50) per (WFM) project at Zain’s calling Experience outlets. The month. The new plans are also centers using a state-of-the-art smartphone features a speedy flexible, with both one-and-two- monitoring system. Zain will dual-core processor, a large vivid year options available, each of reduce operational expenses display, high-speed data capability, which comes with a free Galaxy SII associated with managing an 8 megapixel camera supporting handset. The monthly bundles workforce schedules, increase HD video recording and play back include data usage, voice minutes agent productivity, gain better as well as Android 2.3 and SMS. The Galaxy SII handsets insight into daily activities, and Gingerbread software. The offered by Zain come with the official improve the overall flow of company is also offering a Samsung international warranty. communication. Globitel’s WFM is designed to forecast, schedule and monitor agents, optimizing operations of a call center’s services and costs. Launched in July and incorporated via local Partnering Bahraini company 2CIT, the CrediMax project was completed in August. ain has taken convenience to the next level with a recent Zagreement inked with CrediMax, the Kingdom’s leading credit card provider, to offer bill payment services to its customers. Zain customers can pay their bills and top up their eeZee lines through the CrediMax, while paying other e-government services at the e-Government Kiosk with just a click.

9 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 IRAQ Seamless integration ain is consolidating its customer rates and reduce customer acquisition capabilities will be introduced without Zdata into a single database using costs. The platform offers greater disrupting current operations and will the Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) reliability, availability and security of be seamlessly integrated into the Zain One-NDS platform, which enables services to more than 12 million network. As part of the deal, NSN is real-time insights into the services that customers in Iraq. The centralized data also expanding Zain’s home location are being used by customers. By system is also ready to handle register (HLR) and providing unifying fragmented data into a single converged services utilizing different integration and consulting services to database, Zain expects to target new kinds of mobile-and-fixed-access ensure a smooth implementation services more efficiently, lower churn methods along with LTE. All these process as well as efficient operations.

JORDAN New discoveries tarting in May, Zain customers were treated Sto exclusive access to a selection of videos on their mobile handsets from the Discovery Science and Animal Planet channels. Subscribing to the service is hassle-free and activated by sending a simple SMS to 92051 with the number “1” or “2”, depending on the preferred channel. The service also allows downloading the most- viewed documentaries and receiving three clips per week on mobile handsets. In addition to the above, customers can view videos from both channels and also enjoy free browsing through the Zain Planet website (http://wap.jo.zain.com), which includes a large variety of content for Changing of mobile phones, from news and sports to health and entertainment. the guard Zain E-mal voted best hmad Al Hanandeh was appointed ACEO of Zain Jordan on July 1. A Jordanian national, he comes to Zain mobile money service with an impressive professional track ain won the 2011 Global record, having previously served as ZTelecoms Business chief financial officer of Zain Innovations Award for the operations in Sudan. Before coming to successful launch and Zain, he was the general manager of implementation of its E-mal Posta Plus for four years. A Gulf-based service at the annual prize- company, it specializes in world-class giving ceremony in London delivery, courier and postal services in June. Zain is the first across the Middle East. From 1994 to mobile operator in the 2006, he was a key member of the Middle East to launch a Aramex Group, initially joining as an mobile commerce service accountant and rising to country on this scale. Zain E-mal gives transactions, making it the most manager of several of Aramex’s Asian pre-and-postpaid Zain customers in comprehensive and accessible package operations. He graduated from Jordan an unprecedented array of of mobile financial services currently Yarmouk University, Jordan, in 1994 tools and solutions for many financial available anywhere in the world. with a degree in banking and finance.

10 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 Bringing the best technology Strategic alliance t the 1st Jordan-US Business Forum, AMicrosoft Jordan and Zain signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in May that focuses on defining, marketing and selling products, solutions and services that address the needs of businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, as well as government departments. The partnership is threefold and includes hosted cloud collaboration, public cloud collaboration and Windows devices collaboration. In addition to enhancing Zain’s customer reach and expansion to new markets through the delivery of superior business value propositions, the cooperation with Microsoft also seeks to increase customer satisfaction ain is now offering the award-winning Motorola XOOM with 3G/Wi-Fi and and retention, creating new revenue ZLG Optimus 7 with Windows Phone 7 software at its Zain stores across the streams from the company’s business country. Running on Google's Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) platform, Motorola customers. It will also support Zain’s XOOM features a 1GHz dual-core processor and 1 GB of RAM, front-facing goal to become an end-to-end ICT and rear-facing cameras, true multi-tasking functionality and the latest Google service provider as well as further Mobile services on a 10.1-inch widescreen HD display. The Optimus 7, the develop the smartphone market operating system of Windows Phone 7, is the first to offer the Zune music through the delivery of mobility experience on a phone, as well as having the latest state-of-the-art offerings. solutions.

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA Soaring higher ain KSA in July announced second quarter (Q2) in same period in 2010. There was also a continued Zrevenues of SR1.7 billion ($453 million), an increase of reduction in net losses, which fell by 29% to SR449 million 18% compared to the SR1.45 billion ($387 million) posted ($120 million), compared to SR632 million ($168 million) for the same period in 2010. Both results exceeded expectations. There was also further growth in gross profit, which jumped 52%, reaching SR923 million ($246 million) compared to SR608 million ($162 million) for the same period in 2010. During the second quarter there was also a reduction in operating losses, which fell by 54% from SR314 million ($84 million) to SR144 million ($39 million). The company has taken steps to reduce, and increase efficiency of, spending on the company’s network expansion plans through agreements with network development and maintenance companies.

11 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA Alcatel-Lucent helps upgrade network

Affordable excellence t the end of July, Zain launched its ABlackBerry service for pre-and- postpaid customers for a monthly rate of only SR45 ($12), the lowest from any network operator in the Kingdom. The n August 23, Zain selected over the coming nine years, but would limited offer is applicable for three OAlcatel-Lucent ’s IP/MPLS-based also require dramatic increases in months and gives customers a monthly mobile backhaul solution to respond network coverage and service maximum data download of 1 GB. In the to the sharp increase in bandwidth availability to meet demand in the space of nearly two years, Zain has requirements and to keep pace with Kingdom. As part of Alcatel-Lucent’s significantly improved its BlackBerry customer demand. The move comes High Leverage Network architecture, services. As well as the 1 GB in at a time when a report by the - the solution will offer to Zain an downloads, customers can now have a based Economics Studies House increased capacity at lower cost while vanity number with each BlackBerry showed that the penetration rate of providing the necessary service subscription, while the service is also mobile phones in Saudi Arabia could reliability and quality of experience available for owners of BlackBerry’s Pearl grow from the current 32% to 60% by that customers expect and also Flip 8220, one of the most up-to-date 2014, with over 20 million customers. prepare its network infrastructure to and desirable handsets on the market. The report noted that this would not immediately launch next-generation only require a rapid rollout of capacity communication and data services. LIMITLESS to service almost 13 million new lines The new Zain No Limits package lets customers make calls and send SMSes and MMSes free of charge and with no limits within Read all about it the Zain network. Available to pre-and-postpaid lines, the ain KSA has introduced a news package is offered at a fixed Zservice in cooperation with Edah weekly fee of SR25 ($6.60) for News, (www.edha7.com), which was prepaid customers and SR100 inaugurated by Culture and ($26.50) per month for postpaid Information Minister Abdel Aziz bin lines. Customers can switch to Muhieddine Khoja. Edah News, ensure that customers are up-to-date the Zain No Limits package provided in cooperation with the on current events. To subscribe, easily by sending an SMS with Kachaf Technical Foundation, will customers must send “1” to “701544”. the letter “U” to “700121”.

12 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 Three times the savings hree special offers tempted Tcustomers with great prices and gifts when buying any mobile phone this summer. For the first offer, customers buying a Nokia X3-02, Nokia C6-01 or Nokia E7 received a Mazaya Zain or Zain Super package, which includes a broadband subscription. Additionally, customers were given 100% cash back on the subscription fee for three consecutive months and enjoyed hundreds of free minutes and SMSes for 30 days from the subscription date. In the second offer, customers could buy a BlackBerry Torch 9800, Blackberry 9780 or a Blackberry 9300 3G at competitive prices and receive the Mazaya Zain or Zain Super package for a monthly subscription of one application and free browsing of and MacBook White 13, and came SR99 ($26). The deal included 250 free the most popular websites in KSA with a Zain broadband subscription of minutes and 150 SMSes for up to 30 including governmental and 10 GB and a free modem. Customers days as well as the BlackBerry service educational ones. also benefited from the “One month from Zain, which includes BBM The third offer gave customers special on you, one month on us” offer for a chatting, calling 10 accounts through prices for the Apple MacBook Pro13 three-month period. Taking care of business ain and Google Enterprise joined new agreement means that Zain’s Docs and Google Calendar. Zforces in July to provide unique Business Solutions customers are Furthermore, customers who sign up applications and productivity solutions eligible for special rates on Google for Zain’s Unlimited Broadband service to the private sector, especially Enterprise applications including get a free annual subscription to medium and large companies. The Google Gmail for business, Google Google Enterprise applications. Giant steps n June, Zain entered into an agreement Iwith Elephant Talk Communications, an international provider of business software and services specializing in telecom, to deliver and manage mobile services in Saudi Arabia. Elephant Talk will install a full-service platform to service both pre-and-postpaid customers in business and consumer segments, including M2M and data services. By delivering the optimal mix of services and features to many existing and newly defined target groups, a wide range of benefits will be received.

13 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011

A new experience eeZee connects tarting in May, Zain customers began enjoying a significantly Simproved overall customer experience through live network monitoring, reporting and analytics software from Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN). Two new platforms, Serve atOnce Traffica and Serve atOnce Intelligence, have provided improvements in mobile network quality, customer care service and marketing campaigns. Zain is deploying Serve atOnce Traffica to monitor end-to-end network performance for each service in real time, improving the quality of every voice call and SMS, while Serve atOnce Intelligence (SAI) will be integrated with the existing NSN subscriber data management and device management platforms, which draws data from multiple sources and reflects real-time user patterns in dynamic and flexible dashboards that show mobile performance across several areas.

rom mid-August, Zain prepaid customers Fstarted enjoying high-speed Internet on their smartphones starting from 512 KBPS up to 21.6 MBPS using the new eeZee Connect service. Rates start at 5KD ($18) per month. eeZee customers can activate eeZee Connect by calling Customer Service (107) or by sending Wiyana: the smart mix an SMS with the letter “D” to the number “99900”. eeZee Connect comes only months after eeZee Unlimited International SMS was ain launched the Samsung made available to customers in May, allowing ZGalaxy Tab as part of the them to send unlimited international SMSes to Wiyana Mix packages. Wiyana any destination from their eeZee line. To Mix is a new versatile concept benefit from this offer, prepaid customers for postpaid customers, giving simply need to send an SMS with the letter “T” special discounts on all the to “999”. leading smartphones (iPhone, Samsung, HTC, etc), allowing HIGHER LEARNING customers to select a package Starting in June, Zain began and device to suit their lifestyle. providing the results of the General Zain is the first company to Secondary School Certificate via a provide postpaid customers free SMS service in cooperation with with the flexibility and freedom the Ministry of Education. Students to tailor their mobile needs by wishing to receive their results only choosing from a variety of had to send their seat number via different voice, SMS, Internet or SMS to “99909”. even international packages that suit every budget.

15 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 KUWAIT Expat support Low-rate calls o celebrate Philippines Independence Day on TJune 12, Zain offered a 50% discount on all tarting July 1, Zain reduced the 19th Meeting of GCC SMS messages and a 20% discount on all Sroaming charges for customers telecommunications, IT and post international calls to the country for pre-and in GCC countries. The price ministers. As a result of the postpaid customers. A similar offer was also aimed adjustment is in conformity with conference’s findings, Zain will also at the Egyptian community to commemorate the ministerial decree number 119 start implementing calling rules and July 23rd Revolution. (2011), which was recently issued rates to roaming international and upon the recommendation of local calls across GCC countries. 2 million customers ain reached a landmark 2 years, Zain’s flagship operation has Zmillion customers in June, consistently evolved, adapting to demonstrating the company’s the fast pace of change within the commitment to continuously dynamic global telecom industry, pursue excellence, customer placing huge importance on service and leadership. Over the customer relations.

LEBANON GROWTH SURGE mtc touch expanded its certified outlets network in Paperless trail July, bringing the total to 29, including the company’s touch in June headquarters and five mtcexpanded its Magic regional service centers. The recharge service to cover 95% of certified outlets offer a wide the country’s ATMs, a total of range of services to mtc 1,100 machines. ATM recharge touch customers including allows magic customers to easily SIM card replacement for recharge their lines by using their blocked and lost SIMs, bill bank cards at any time to buy any settlement for postpaid lines, of the five recharge cards the transfer of prepaid lines available on the market at the to postpaid lines, in addition official price. In an effort to to purchasing pre-or encourage eco-friendly practices, postpaid lines and recharge the company also allows cards. recharging through its website.

16 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 Start, Smart and Super add to the Magic

tart, Smart and Super have joined (excluding VAT) and gives 60 minutes; including CLIR, mobile Internet, SMagic, increasing the number of and Super costs $27.27 (excluding Friends & Family, missed call SMS prepaid lines offered by mtc touch to VAT) and gives 120 minutes. With notification and BlackBerry Internet four. The new, rechargeable, 30-day these new lines, customers can be service. Customers can also switch lines were made available starting connected for prices up to 60% less from one plan to another for free June 15 at reduced prices and than a regular monthly recharge card. during the validity period. mtc touch various recharge options. Start costs The prices also reflect up to a 36% also unveiled its SOS card, which for $9.09 (excluding VAT) and gives 30 reduction in call charges and a 25% $3.64 (excluding VAT) gives 10 minutes of credit; Smart costs $15.15 discount on mtc touch services, minutes worth of credit. 3.9G HSPA+ comes to Lebanon touch held a demonstration mtcof the forthcoming high- speed Internet 3.9G HSPA+ mobile service. 3.9G HSPA+ is expected to go live and become commercially available across Lebanon by the end of the year, with speeds of up to 42 megabits per second. Among the 850 sites that will be compliant with the technology, mtc touch will have 50 enhanced sites with LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology with speeds 700 times faster than current mobile Internet rates, and 115 times faster than DSL. In September, new minister of telecomunications, Nicolas Sehnaoui (left), and the GM of mtc touch, Claude Bassil (right), launched the trial period. Customers were chosen in a handset to 3G and whether they live in a testing phase of 3G for 2,000 customers draw (above) and within predefined 3G area. Huawei is working hand-in- who will use the service for a one-month criteria such as the compliance of their hand with mtc touch to ensure that the new technology is implemented. Reaching new heights n May, mtc touch was awarded auditing corporate business and Ithe ISO 27001 certification for security systems. The ISO 27001 Information Security standard is the most popular and Management System (ISMS), rigorous standard used after a rigorous examination by worldwide to assess security Det Norske Veritas (DNV) control. mtc touch is the first international, an independent telecom company in Lebanon to certification body specialized in receive an ISO 27001 certification.

17 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 SUDAN Continuing to serve n July 9, the world witnessed the square miles (the largest in Africa and wasted no time in rolling out mobile Obirth of a new nation when the the Middle East), it was only in 2000 technology and the idea of Zain’s Republic of South Sudan became an that was able to extend operations to ‘wonderful world’ for the people of independent state, with celebrations South Sudan, the autonomous area South Sudan. Today, Zain’s taking place in Juba, its newly- consisting of 10 states that was part communication network, official appointed capital. Zain has been of the Comprehensive Peace outlets, entertainment and CSR serving the people of Sudan since Agreement that ended nearly half a projects are testament to the 1997, but, in a country of 1 million century of civil conflict. Zain Sudan company’s ongoing commitment to this vibrant new country.

Birth of a Nation: South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, inaugurates the Unbroken transmission: Zain’s antenna at Anzara new country Stylee star ain Stylee has been specially Zdesigned for postpaid customers, allowing them to select services of their choice and model them to suit their needs with the flexibility to increase credit limits. The launch of the service came on the heels of an unprecedented 20% reduction in call tariffs and monthly subscription fees if bills are settled within 10 days. Customers can now adjust monthly subscriptions according to their needs by selecting Zain-to-Zain monthly minutes, international monthly minutes, monthly SMS or monthly Internet. Incoming international roaming calls cost SDG1 ($0.37) per minute anywhere in the world with no need for an extra deposit before travelling.

18 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 ALERTS

STOP PRESS A quantum leap into the future: Zain Saudi Arabia launches high-speed 4G wireless technology

ain Saudi Arabia (Zain KSA) has Zbecome the first mobile network operator in the Middle East (and one of the first in the world) to commercially launch a 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network. Zain customers in the three major Saudi cities - Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam - can now benefit from the service through a special package offering, with the company planning to extend the 4G offering in stages in the coming months that will eventually cover the Kingdom’s major cities by the end of 2012.

The 4G LTE network will provide customers the ability to download and send data at high speeds reaching up network will further enhance the “This achievement is the culmination to 150 Mbps, allowing them to enjoy a customer experience immensely.” of the efforts made by the company in multitude of Internet services. delivering 4G to the Kingdom, a trial Al Faifi added that Zain KSA had always process that began in February 2010 Commenting on this momentous sought to create its own network and with three global technology partners: occasion, Ahmed Al Faifi, chief provide its customers with the very latest Motorola, Ericsson and Huawei in what operating officer of Zain KSA said that technologies since its launch in the was recognized and acclaimed as one “the launch is a ‘quantum leap’ in Kingdom in August 2008. He explained of the world’s largest trials of 4G LTE. mobile telecommunications and that this would not have been possible Today, the commercial offering is Internet services, and Zain is proud to with the efforts of all the Zain staff. They launched in partnership with Huawei,” be at the forefront of this revolution. could be proud of being part of a he said. With the surging use of smart devices company that is truly at the cutting edge among the Saudi population, the 4G of mobile technology. Al Faifi also said that the delivery of a 4G network will give Zain many more options, a keener competitive edge in terms of products and services and deliver real added value for a discerning customer base.

4G LTE technology is a standard for wireless transmission of high-speed data. It has the capacity to efficiently transfer large amounts of data at an unparalleled speed. It can also accommodate more applications such as video conferencing, high definition content, video blogs, interactive games and video downloads on social networking sites.

19 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 GIANTS IN TIME Master of mean Simon Cowell may be the man everyone loves to hate, but he’s laughing all the way to the bank

erception is everything. This is especially true when it comes to PSimon Cowell, the infamously acerbic judge on popular television programs like “American Idol” and “Britain’s Got Talent”. To some he may appear honest – perhaps even brutally so – but to others, he is simply caustic. But whatever your perception, there is no denying that Cowell’s no-nonsense approach has transformed the TV personality into an international celebrity.

A firm believer that honesty – at least when sitting in judgment over aspiring performers on television – is the best policy, Cowell has developed a reputation for being rude, unsympathetic and cruel, with a legion of detractors to boot. In his defense, he says that he’s misunderstood and has been quoted as saying that he’s really “the nice one” because he’s “prepared to tell people who don’t have a chance in that they don’t have a chance in hell.”

Whether this places Cowell’s assessments in the “tough love” or simply “tough” category, he clearly doesn’t believe in coddling those he deems without talent given the Simon Cowell is arguably the most powerful talent scout in showbusiness cutthroat nature of the entertainment business. Although the man may come wealthy. According to the 2011 Sunday From “Popstars” (the precursor to “Pop off as mean, after over 30 years in the Times’ Rich List, he is currently worth Idol” and the world’s most watched industry, he probably knows what he’s $330 million, somewhat less than Paul talent show, “American Idol”) to talking about. McCartney, but more than Elton John. “Britain’s Got Talent” and the “X Abrasive television persona aside, his Factor”, Cowell’s creations have Cowell’s willingness to tell it like it is real genius lies not in his ability to become global brands. There are may have made him into a hated make himself the man people love to franchises of “Idol” airing in 42 figure, but it’s also made him one of hate, but in his ability to create some countries while versions of “Got Talent” the most recognized faces on of the most widely franchised talent exist in over 40 languages. The Middle television. Not to mention extremely shows on television. East version, “Arabs’ Got Talent”, which

20 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 Il Divo, the operatic boy band, is just one of Cowell's music creations is presided over by some of the most a as an assistant to one of EMI’s influential names in the regional A&R agents, the people paid to find Cowell’s willingness entertainment industry, proved and sign new acts. to tell it like it is massively popular. As the first season drew to a close earlier this year, Deciding he could do better elsewhere, has made him thousands of fans competed in a thank- Cowell jumped ship with a colleague, you draw organized by Zain and MBC4 and together they started their own one of the most for prizes, including laptops and music publishing company, E&S Records. smartphones. recognized faces He didn’t stay long. After a couple of on television and To the casual observer, Cowell’s rise hit singles, all managed out of the might seem meteoric. In less than a converted public toilet in a London extremely wealthy decade, he’s gone from virtual unknown parking the company called home, to international celebrity, but Cowell’s Cowell left E&S to join Fanfare fame has been decades in the making. Records. He began to develop his first admirably, though equally profitably successful pop acts, among them 80’s for BMG, Cowell also developed a Born into relative privilege – his father Hi-NRG star, Sinitta. reputation for spotting novelty was a real estate developer and a records. “Highlights” of this part of his music industry executive with EMI In 1989, Fanfare was bought by BMG career include best-selling songs by Records, and his mother was a and Cowell lost his job. In debt and the Teletubbies, the Mighty Morphin ballerina-turned-socialite – Cowell’s unemployed, he spent a few weeks Power Rangers and the macho professional trajectory is vindication sleeping in his car, even briefly moving wrestlers of the WWE. that while who you know gets you back to his parents’ home, before through the door, it’s what you can do being asked to return to the A&R In 2001, he made his first appearance that determines how far you go. department at BMG. as a talent show judge on the ITV show “Pop Idol”. By the following So while it was his father who got his There, Cowell came into his own. year, Cowell had already sold the son a job at EMI in 1979, Cowell During his time at BMG, he signed “Idol” franchise to the United States. started in the mailroom, not the acts like Five and Curiosity Killed The And thanks to the furor his British boardroom. Working his way up the Cat and also began to manage appearances generated – he had ladder, he moved swiftly through the Westlife, the Irish boy band that reduced several contestants to tears accounting department before landing helped make his name. Somewhat less on screen – he’d been invited to serve

21 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 as one of the judges there, too. As the “Idol” juggernaut gathered steam, Cowell helped create several other talent shows, including “Britain’s Got Talent” and “The X Factor”. Like “Idol”, these have also been picked up for global franchise.

In 2006, in recognition of the central role he has played in the success of “American Idol” – as evidenced by the number of Simon-esque impersonators other versions of “Idol” have tried to include in their line-ups – Cowell signed a deal with the Fox Network to remain on the panel of “American Idol” for another five years. The deal was worth an estimated $165 million.

Cowell splits his time between the UK and the US, flying back and forth between the two countries 40 or 50 times a year and plays more of a background role – or eminence grise – Cowell with his most famous American Idol panel. From left, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Ryan Seacrest in his assorted productions. He will be back on the jury later this year, however, 10 THINGS YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T 30 black Armani t-shirts at any when the “American X Factor”, the KNOW ABOUT SIMON: one time. show for which he left “American Idol”, 1. He’s a really loving son. When 7. His fantasy guest list for a dinner debuts on Fox Television. he’s in London, Simon lunches with party includes singer Frank Sinatra, his mother twice a week and spent former President Bill Clinton and In 2009, he was named the Most $500,000 on her surprise 80th Hollywood star Natalie Wood. Powerful Person in Reality Television birthday party. 8. If he were forced to pick only by the Hollywood Reporter. He’s also 2. His childhood home was once three records to take to a desert featured as one of Entertainment visited by Bette Davis and island, none would be records he’d Weekly’s top entertainers and on eventually purchased by Stanley helped produce. Cowell’s choices People Magazine’s list of most Kubrick. would be Bobby Darin’s Mack the eligible bachelors. 3. He was a millionaire by the time Knife, The Righteous Brothers’ he was 29 but lost it all within Unchained Melody and Wayne Cowell is also an executive at Sony a year. Newton’s Danke Schoen. Records, which negotiated a healthy 4. Though he’s known for his ability 9. In the US, he pays in excess of $40 long-term business deal with SYCO to spot a winner – through Westlife million a year in income tax, which Records last year. Though it barely alone, Cowell has sold more than 50 suggests that he’s earning at least seems like he could have had time million records – he turned down $100 million, maybe more. London’s given his seemingly ubiquitous both the Girls and Take That. Sunday Times newspaper recently presence on television, over the last 15 5. He received a $2 million advance estimated his personal worth at years alone, Cowell has been for his autobiography, I Don’t Mean around $330 million. responsible for finding and managing To Be Rude, But… which was 10. He has appeared as himself in acts - including the operatic boy band Il released in December 2003. In “Scary Movie 3” (where his opinion Divo - which have racked up 100 no.1 addition to a number of cutting ends up getting him killed), “Shrek hits and sold over 150 million albums. comments on life as a talent show 2” (as a cartoon talent show judge) judge, Cowell also dispenses tips and two episodes of “The Yes, perception is everything. Love for aspiring pop stars. Simpsons”. He’s also made him, hate him, love to hate him… 6. He doesn’t really like shopping appearances on “Who Wants to be a whatever your perspective on Simon and prefers to get everything from Millionaire?” (a subject with which Cowell, he has indeed come a long the same designer, if possible. This he’s no doubt familiar) and the BBC’s way from sleeping in his car. explains why he owns a minimum of popular car show, Top Gear.

22 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 رﺳﺎﻟﺔ اﻟﻤﺪﻳﺮ اﻟﻌﺎم اﻟﺘﻨﻔﻴﺬي

Happiness isn’t limited by time. May your home be full of joy always.

أﻳﺎر 2011 ﻛﻮﻧﻜﺖ 3

Connect 21.5x28 A&E.indd 1 9/7/11 3:04 PM JOURNEY Saudi Arabia’s silent city Mada’in Saleh, dating back to 168 BCE, is an archeological wonder carved in stone

Situated 500 km south of the ancient Nabatean capital, , are the ruins of Mada’in Saleh, the second largest outpost of the Nabatean kingdom

24 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 ituated 500 kilometers to the yellow sand sea stretching south of the ancient Nabatean for as far as the eye can see. Scapital, Petra, are the ruins of Along the route, islands of Mada’in Saleh (cities of Saleh), the multi-colored sandstone rise second largest and southernmost up out of the desert floor, outpost of the Nabatean Kingdom sculpted by wind and water (168 BCE-106 CE). Mada’in Saleh is into every imaginable size located in the northern part of the and shape. country, in a basin that’s been compared by many to Monument Like Petra, Mada’in Saleh is an Valley in Utah and the Painted Desert ancient architectural wonder, in Arizona. carved in stone – a must-see for the enthusiast looking for Mada’in Saleh lies 20 kilometers from something unique, out of the the picturesque oasis town of Al Ula. way and virtually free of From Al Ula, the valley opens up to a crowds. There are no tour buses, no long lines and admission is free. There are 131 tombs scattered over an area of 12 square kilometers. Most of the tombs are in impeccable condition. As a result of its cultural significance, UNESCO Mada’in Saleh’s monuments consist mostly of tombs, many of which have decorative facades with deep chambers proclaimed Mada’in Saleh Saudi Arabia’s first World Unlike Petra, where you can see Heritage Site in 2008. grandiose structures, such as the , the treasury, and other Mada’in Saleh remained in obscurity for public buildings, Mada’in Saleh’s centuries mainly because of its location, monuments consist mostly of tombs, but also because it was considered many of which have decorative facades cursed by the locals. According to the with deep chambers. Inside, there are Koran, in the 3rd century BCE, the beautiful and ornate patterns on the people disobeyed the walls – some depicting animals, Saleh and continued to worship idols. sphinxes, suns, griffins and vases – but When the people conspired to kill the nowhere can be found illustrations that Prophet, destroyed them with show people. Many of the inscriptions strong winds and storms. Today, local are even signed by the artist. government officials are trying to improve the image of Mada’in Saleh in The size and design of the tombs hopes of attracting more tourists. often reflected a family’s standing in the community. Qasr Al Bint is the Around the oasis town of Al Ula, there largest, with a façade over 15 meters are inscriptions dating back to high and containing 31 individual between the 6th and 4th centuries tombs. Another tomb, Qasr Al Farid, is BCE which clearly show archeological a unique specimen because it is evidence that the , an ancient carved into a huge, stand-alone rock. Arab kingdom, inhabited the area. Many of the tombs have specific The Nabateans came to prominence in instructions to visitors written in Mada’in Saleh by the 1st century CE, Aramaic, the language widely spoken under King Al Harith, who expanded throughout the Middle East at that the outpost, making it the second time. Some forbid anyone from most important city after Petra. disturbing the bones or forging tomb Mada’in Saleh is often called Petra’s documents; other texts warn against “sister city” because both are carved selling off the tomb’s contents. The out of sandstone in similar fashion. written texts are a clear indication that

25 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 As a result of its cultural significance, UNESCO proclaimed Mada’in Saleh Saudi Arabia’s first World Heritage Site in 2008 these instructions were meant to last to and refer to long after the family had passed on. as a place to find water and replenish supplies. The famous 14th century Mada’in Saleh is At the height of their rule, the famous Arab traveler, , Nabatean kingdom had a monopoly made reference to the giant tombs often called Petra’s over much of the spice and incense carved into stone in his journal but ‘sister city’ because trade in the . mentioned nothing about the people Caravan routes heading north and who lived there or how they lived. both sites are south would inevitably stop at both Hegra – the Nabatean name for Under Ottoman rule, which began in carved out of Mada’in Saleh – and Petra, making the 16th century, there are only a few both cities wealthy and important. references to Al Hijr (another name for sandstone in a Mada’in Saleh) until the 18th century, similar fashion The annexed much of when a fort was erected for a short the Nabatean kingdom by 106 CE, and period of time to protect religious even though the two peoples pilgrims making the Hajj. At the very including the restoration of the original coexisted peacefully, the Romans beginning of the 20th century, train depot. moved the capital for the Arabian Hamid II, in an effort to link Province from Petra further north to with Mecca and Medina, ordered work Recognition of Mada’in Saleh by Bosra in what is today . done on a railroad line. UNESCO has given this otherwise forgotten historical site a whole new Over time, Hegra began to lose its A station was built nearby to service lease on life. There are plans in the importance as overland trade routes locomotives, but later the tracks and works to develop the area and make it shifted north and goods coming to station fell into disrepair. a genuine tourist destination. the Arabian Peninsula left via maritime trade routes on the . Today, there is limited work being For Saudi Arabia, this could be the Between the rule of the Roman done by archaeologists to learn more beginning of opening up parts of the Empire and the emergence of , about the ancient cultures that Kingdom to the outside world and little is known about the town. Later inhabited this region. However, there is letting people see the wonders this accounts by religious pilgrims going work taking place on WWI sites, magnificent country has to offer.

26 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 رﺳﺎﻟﺔ اﻟﻤﺪﻳﺮ اﻟﻌﺎم اﻟﺘﻨﻔﻴﺬي

أﻳﺎر 2011 ﻛﻮﻧﻜﺖ 3 RAMADAN SPECIAL A month of giving Ramadan was a chance for Zain to celebrate with its customers GROUP Taking the stage o celebrate Ramadan, Zain produced a أﺿﺨﻢ ﻋﺮض ﻣﺴﺮﺣﻲ Tplay entitled “Zain to a Wonderful World”. An adaptation of Oliver Twist, the famous ﻣﺴﺮﺣﻴﺔ اﻷﻃﻔﺎل اﻟﻬﺎدﻓﺔ novel by Charles Dickens, it was performed for consecutive nights starting on the first day 10 زﻳﻦ إﻟﻰ ﻋﺎﻟﻢ ﺟﻤﻴﻞ of Eid Al Fitr. The play, which was held on a converted ice rink in Kuwait, is about Zain, a mistreated orphan who joins a street gang, but who is eventually adopted by a kind and rich lady. The production was a 100% Zain effort, and there are plans to take the play on the road across the Gulf region.

ﺷــﺠﻮن ﻓﺎﻃﻤﺔ اﻟﺼﻔﻲ ﻣﻦ وﺣﻲ أوﻟﻴﻔﺮ ِﺗﻮﺳﺖ ﻋﻠﻲ اﻟﻜﺎﻛﻮﻟﻲ ﻃﻼل ﺑﺎﺳﻢ إﻋﺪاد وﻛﺘﺎﺑﺔ اﻟﻨﺺ اﻟﻐﻨﺎﺋﻲ: ﻫﺒﺔ ﻣﺸﺎري ﺣﻤﺎدة ﻓﻬﺪ ﺑﺎﺳﻢ ﺣﻤﺪ أﺷﻜﻨﺎﻧﻲ أﻟﺤﺎن: ﺟﺎد اﻟﺮﺣﺒﺎﻧﻲ إﺧﺮاج: ﺳﻤﻴﺮ ﻋﺒﻮد ع.م. A MESSAGE OF PRIDE ﻣﺒﺎرك ﺳﻠﻄﺎن ﻓﺎﻃﻤﺔ اﻟﻄﺒﺎخ إﺷﺮاف ﻋﺎم: أﺣﻤﺪ اﻟﺒﺮﻳﻜﻲ أﺣﻤﺪ ﺑﺎﺳﻢ AND SOLIDARITY ً ّ For the third consecutive إﺑﺘﺪاء ﻣﻦ أول أﻳﺎم اﻟﻌﻴﺪ اﻟﺤﺠﺰ ﻓﻲ ﺻﺎﻟﺔ اﻟﺘﺰﻟﺞ ﻟﻺﺳﺘﻔﺴﺎر: 90007773/4 year, in cooperation with the Islamic Endowments Department, Zain launched Open Sesame the Iftar Saem project at Al Qods’ Aqsa , t Zain we believe holding a series of iftars in Athat we never really the mosque’s yard from the turn the page on our middle of Ramadan to the childhood happiness; it last day of the month. Zain’s just remains dormant in Chairman Assaad Al our hearts and minds, Banwan expressed his waiting for the day until it utmost happiness with the can be revived again. So launch of the initiative, this year, there was a bit saying that Zain wanted “to of nostalgia in Zain’s Eid help alleviate the economic greeting, as characters burdens” of Palestinians from the popular Arabic living in Al Qods. He also version of “Sesame stressed the importance of Street” got together with what he called “Arabs Got Talent” star “development-oriented Hala Turk, taking us back charity action,” which to a time less nurtures communication complicated, reminding and compassion between us all of holidays spent all people. with loved ones.

28 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 The thought that counts HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT In its latest TV ad, Zain has highlighted our planet’s plight through haunting images shot by director Matthias Zenter, with additional images provided by Greenpeace, while the original score was composed by Fabrice Smadja and Pascal Bonifay. The message is simple: How is it that humans, arguably the most intelligent species, are also the most his year, Zain celebrated another Unfortunately, she makes a mess of destructive? The ad is a TRamadan with a musical written by everything she attempts but is forgiven stark reminder that we Hiba Hamada, composed by Ahmad by her neighbors, who nonetheless must do all we can to save Kaabour and Mohammed Kebbi and recognize that her good intentions our beloved Earth and, in featuring Shjoon Al Hajri (also known more than make up for it. For in the turn, ourselves. as Shooji), who plays a girl eager to end, generosity springs from the heart help with iftar preparations. and not the hand.

BAHRAIN A time for saving Smart tools

ain launched several offers that were Zavailable throughout the month of Ramadan. The “No Limits’’ package offered customers a 50% discount on all calls to friends and family on other networks and was available for daily, weekly, and monthly subscriptions. Customers could make calls abroad by getting free minutes to international destinations, including GCC countries, Jordan and Egypt, among others. Furthermore, the home broadband service provided unlimited downloading and browsing all through the holy month.

or the eighth consecutive schoolbags to deserving students Fyear and under the patronage at the start of the academic year of HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad in September. The program Al Khalifa, President of the underscores Zain’s belief in the Council of Trustees to the Royal power of education to change Charity Organization, Zain lives and help those who can’t distributed more than 20,000 help themselves.

29 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 BAHRAIN GOOD THOUGHTS During the month of Media spotlight Ramadan, Zain collaborated with Bahrain TV to produce and broadcast “Fakkir Zain” (“Think Zain”), hosted by the well-known TV host Abdullah Malik. “Fakkir Zain” offered a series of interactive contests all around Bahrain and was brought back this year after the positive response the show received in 2009. The show reflected the core Zain values and provided family entertainment for viewers and participants, ain hosted a traditional Ramadan and valuable prizes as well as the offering great prizes Zghabga for its media guests at appearance of the crew from the “Fakkir while upholding the spirit L’Hotel in Bahrain’s Seef District. The Zain” program and popular television of Ramadan. event featured fun contests, raffle draws personality Abdullah Malik.

IRAQ JORDAN Total compassion Parks and recreation ince operations began in Iraq, Zain has Sbecome an integral part of the country’s social fabric and is involved in the day-to- day lives of many Iraqis. This year during Ramadan, Zain sponsored the Social Commitment Project, which distributed gifts all across Iraq and dried food products to poor families in the southern city of Basra.

n August, Zain inaugurated a secure environment for children to Ichildren’s playground in the Al play football and handball. The Qweismeh garden as part of a playground will play a vital role in number of initiatives that coincided serving the local community, with Ramadan. The company took offering the neighborhood youth a charge of the playground’s chance to exercise and enjoy maintenance work and did the outdoor activities. Last year, the necessary set up to make the 420- company inaugurated a sports field square-meter area a safe and in Tabarbour.

30 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 JORDAN Donations big Peace offerings and small

ain held Mawaed Al Rahman in seven during Ramadan, providing more than Zgovernorates – , , , 40,000 iftar meals. At each venue, the Kerak, Maan, Salt and Zarqa – across company set up tents equipped with Jordan for the ninth consecutive year tables, seats and a praying section.

Contributing to a better life

he Al Khair campaign is a yearly Tinitiative launched to support needy families. This Ramadan, Zain distributed aid parcels to hundreds of homes in Al in cooperation with the Al . It also distributed food to the needy in Zarqa, Ruseifa, Al Musheirfah and Al Salt. Zain supports local communities through various initiatives, including the Zain Relief Fund, which was launched in 2005 to help those not covered by the Ministry of Social Development’s National Aid Fund, and which has helped hundreds of families around the country with financial aid. This year, Zain also launched the Al n the occasion of the holy launch of this year’s campaign. Khair prepaid line during Ramadan to Omonth of Ramadan, the King Princess Dina expressed her allow customers to donate 10 piasters Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF) appreciation to Zain for their per month to underprivileged families launched the eighth annual Towards ongoing support of the campaign when the line is purchased. Through Life campaign in partnership with and emphasized that the company’s the Al Khair line, customers can make Zain. The initiative enables the public contributions have exceeded more low-cost calls to other numbers on the to give donations, or zakat, to than $1 million since 2003. Zain network. Calls to other networks patients at the King Hussein Cancer Zain customers can continue to make cost 2.5 piasters per minute. Center (KHCC). Ahmad Al Hanandeh, zakat al Fitr contributions until the Customers were able to subscribe to Zain’s CEO, presented HRH Princess end of the year by sending a simple this service during Ramadan by visiting Dina Mired, (above) Director General SMS message with the word “Life” to any of the Zain points of sales or by of the Foundation, with a check for “97070”, which will donate JD1 to switching to the new Al Khair line by JD50,000 ($70,445) to celebrate the the foundation. dialing #225*.

31 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA Perfect hosts A warm welcome for pilgrims

or the fourth consecutive year, city, including King Prince FZain distributed iftar meals to Mohammad bin Abdel Aziz Airport, Umrah pilgrims and Medina visitors. the Miqat zi-al Halifa and the Al o provide pilgrims and visitors to KSA The meals were handed out for Qiblatain Mosque. Distribution Tduring Ramadan and Hajj with the best Umrah pilgrims at the ’s Hall areas were increased from last year, possible services, Zain has offered the Visitors at Jeddah’s King Abdul Aziz especially at the King Abdul Aziz Package for prepaid lines, which is available at Airport, the parking lots in Kadi and Airport’s Pilgrim’s Hall, where special rates and valid for 120 days. The Mahbes Al , Mecca’s Social Umrah pilgrims coming from many package – offered in Mecca, Medina, Jeddah Education Center and Arab and Islamic countries and other regions – provides travelers to Comprehensive Rehabilitation gathered in great numbers. The Saudi Arabia during the specified time period Center as well as in some Mecca meals were given out by members with a 50% discount on all outgoing calls to a . Distribution points in of Zain’s Shabab Tamouh program country of their choice. Customers can Medina were located across the and Saudi youths. change their preferred international country code as often as they like for SR5 ($1.30). The Visitors Package comes with a SR25 ($6.60) call credit that can be increased by recharging the In the shade line within its 120-day validity period. The ain has prepared hundreds of needs. The company has also carried reduced rates are valid all day, and customers Zthousands of umbrellas to out inspections and maintenance can also benefit from the international distribute to Umrah pilgrims and checks on all its networks to ensure roaming service outside the Kingdom during visitors to the holy sites to protect that its customers enjoy flawless the validity period. them from the scorching sun and service when staying in touch with prevent sunstroke. The umbrellas loved ones. will be available ENABLING SUPPORT throughout the Hajj Zain donated a percentage of season. It is a service revenues from customer calls that Zain has been throughout Ramadan to the providing since 2008. Disabled Children’s Association, Zain takes great allowing callers to contribute to the pride in tending to program without incurring any extra the annual welfare of costs. The company hopes the extra pilgrims and has funds will help the association worked closely with strengthen its therapy, rehabilitation the government, and education services, which private sector and benefit more than 3,300 disabled civil society to children all over the Kingdom. accommodate their

32 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 KUWAIT A joyous celebration

ain shared the joy of celebrating Girgi’an with more than another major reception at the Avenues Mall, also to Z120 children with cancer and their families in cooperation commemorate Girgi’an, which also featured a surprise with the Hope Club at the Graduates Society headquarters. appearance by Shjoon Al Hajri (also known as Shooji). The Zain maintained a joyful atmosphere by distributing gifts and event consisted of special activities, including the distribution organizing competitions during the event, which witnessed a of gifts to children and adults, games and shows for the youth special visit by popular actress Shjoon Al Hajri. Zain organized with the participation of the “Proud to be Kuwaiti” forum.

Facing off famine in Africa GIFTS OF COMFORT ain’s donation campaign to assist Zain distributed 10,000 Zthose in the Horn of Africa has gift bags during the last reached KD50,000 ($183,000) since it 10 days of Ramadan and started. Acting upon the wishes of HH provided various the Emir, Zain also donated KD10,000 supplies for worshipers ($36,600) in aid to countries that are at several mosques currently facing natural disasters. Part of including the Al Kabir Zain’s humanitarian programs, the mosque and Jaber Al Ali campaign covers Kenya, Somalia, mosque. Zain staff Ethiopia and Djibouti, all of which are volunteers distributed facing the worst famine to hit Africa in the gifts bags. The 60 years. Due to the crisis, more than 10 company’s main goal million people have been displaced, was to provide comfort ending up at the largest refugee camp for the worshipers, in the world, where more than two especially during the last million children under the age of five days of the Holy Month, are threatened by malnutrition. To as there was an donate, customers can send an SMS increased number of with the letter “S” to “99997”. The cost people and of each SMS is KD1. overcrowding at the Similar initiatives were carried out in mosque. The Al Kabir other Zain operations. In Jordan, and the Jaber Al Ali customers can call 090099099 and mosques also received donate JD1.5 ($2.11). In Bahrain, and diesel generators to under the patronage of King Hamad, a provide comfort to the TV program was broadcast for three amount raised and BD47,000 ($124,648) was worshippers praying days starting August 11, inviting people transferred. In KSA, customers can donate outside. to donate via SMS for BD1 ($2.65) per by sending an empty SMS to 5565. The message. Zain Bahrain doubled the cost per SMS is SR10 ($2.66).

33 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 KUWAIT Motivating contest

or the second consecutive Fyear, Zain sponsored the Memorization Contest for the Hearing and Speech Impaired from August 8 to August 10. The competition was held in cooperation with the Institute of Devotion for Quranic Generations and the Raya group, under the aegis of the minister of labor and social affairs. The event witnessed the participation of Arab contestants from Morocco, Lebanon, Jordan and all GCC countries.

Promoting health Food for thought

he Dasman Diabetes Institute and Zain joined Tforces to promote and raise health issues. Zain customers will now receive public health alerts as well as medical tips and advice via text messages directly to their mobile phone. M-health can be used to promote health education and awareness, collect and transfer data remotely, track diseases and epidemics and provide diagnostic and treatment support.

his Ramadan, Zain distributed when possible. More than 60,000 Tmore than 2,000 iftar meals fasters attended last year’s Zain daily. Preparations for the iftar iftar halls throughout Ramadan. campaign, which has been During this holy month, special ongoing for six years, started well celebrations were prepared and a before the start of Ramadan to team of volunteers from the make sure that it included most company comprised three sub- residential areas. The company committees to follow up on the also took measures to rent distribution of meals and other celebration halls instead of tents activities.

CARAVANS OF HOPE For the fifth consecutive year, Zain geared up its charity caravans to journey across Kuwait to distribute 3,000 food boxes at the start of Ramadan. The caravans continued distributing food aid to needy families under the supervision of the Zakat House and with the help of the Patients Helping Fund Society and local mosques.

34 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 LEBANON Ministerial statement

inister of Telecommunications Nicholas Sehnaoui was Mthe guest of honor at the mtc touch annual media iftar at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beirut. Also in attendance were Dr. Imad Hoballah, head of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA); directors and consultants from the ministry and the TRA; editors and media figures headed by the Vice President of the Editors’ Syndicate Said Nassreddine; and mtc touch General Manager Claude Bassil and the management team. In the bag or the fourth year running, mtc touch Fdonated schoolbags to needy children belonging to local charitable associations across Lebanon. Zain continues to highlight the importance of celebrating Ramadan with disadvantaged children and will remain committed to the program in the future.

SUDAN Connecting with the people

ain held its annual iftar with the Meals on wheels Zleaders and members of the General Union of Sudanese Journalists at Aspark ain continued to launch its hostels; another 20,000 meals were City Hall in the suburb of Burri. At the ZCollective Iftar (Mawaed Al handed out at different prisons and end of the festive evening – which Rahman) program this holy month by institution centers; 30,000 meals were included music, entertainment and supplying 80,000 meals to students, given out on the roads and 10,000 comedy – a number of journalists were prison inmates, commuters caught in went to the Al Dara iftar. honored in the presence of their families traffic during the breaking of the fast The initiative once again showed how for their valuable contributions to and participants at a street iftar Zain can reach out across spectrums journalism. A special memoriam was known as “Al Dara”. Twenty thousand of the community, regardless of included to honor those who had died meals were delivered to the Martyr status, showing the compassion that in the line of duty. Ali Abdelfatah and Al Zahraa student is part of ‘A wonderful world’.

35 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 GIVING BACK Making a difference Contributing to the social and economic development of the communities

BAHRAIN LEARNING NEVER STOPS ne of the region’s most unique Omentoring programs – the Zain Future University Network (F.U.N.) – has accepted 15 Bahraini university students to its summer program that runs from June till September. Participants were chosen based on teamwork, innovative thinking, as well as interpersonal and communication skills. Providing university undergraduates the opportunity to gain valuable real-life workplace experience, the program motivates participants to hone their corporate skills. It also prepares them for the rigors of the job market and the challenges of entrepreneurship. Team members are given the chance to develop projects, job market – that consisted of a BD communication and teamwork. come up with innovative business ideas 35,000 ($92,750) budget to be spent Participants in the Tamkeen-F.U.N. and test them in the real world. over two years. Over 50 Bahraini program will receive a minimum of one Further boosting the F.U.N. initiative university students will be supported by year and a maximum of four years was the recent agreement between Tamkeen and will receive hands-on training, and will benefit from a stipend Zain and Tamkeen – an organization practical work experience at Zain as based on their hours of work and the that focuses on developing the Bahraini well as extensive training in leadership, tasks assigned.

SCHOLASTIC SUCCESS ain was recently commended by the president of Zthe University of Bahrain (UoB) for its continued support for the academic institution and the company’s role in providing jobs for graduates. Over the years Zain has contributed to many of the university’s facilities, including financing the Zain e-Learning Center, which allows students to study online. Zain recently agreed to contribute BD 49,000 ($129,850) each year to develop the center at the Sakhir campus and has also rented two locations for the installation of two communication towers.

36 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 BAHRAIN IRAQ FEMALE EMPOWERMENT SUPPORTING

n June, Zain once again sponsored womengateway.com, the FREEDOM OF SPEECH IBusiness Women Society’s popular portal that encourages the development of women in business, society and health care which has received international and regional awards for its contribution to the empowerment of women. This is the third consecutive year that Zain has sponsored the site, which operates under the patronage of HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa, wife of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and chairperson of the Supreme Council for Women.

n its 142nd anniversary, the Iraqi Journalist OSyndicate (IJS) presented Zain with the “excellence” prize during an official ceremony. IJS secretary general, Moayed Al Lami, said that Zain was awarded the honor because of its continued support for the syndicate and freedom of speech. Zain also sponsored the annual Iraqi press celebration and donated over 72 million dinars ($61,700) to over 360 JORDAN families of journalists killed in the line of duty. A HEALING HAND NURTURING n May, Zain threw its support behind TALENT Zain held its 8th Ithe “Growing Together” program, which provides animal-assisted, or Harat Zain equine, therapy for young people with tournament in autism. Launched in Jordan by late July at the Princess Alia Bint Al Hussein as part of King Abdullah the HRH Princess Alia Foundation Sports City in Al (PAF), the program offers children Qweismeh. The afflicted with the disorder the chance event was part of to interact with other living creatures in Zain’s efforts to a natural holistic environment. To contribute to the ensure the program continues, Zain development of provides financial support and has Jordanian assisted in the set up of an outdoor football by playing area for the youngsters. helping discover Zain has also lent its support to a and develop number of other health-oriented Foundation, serving as a main driving young talent. organizations throughout the country, force behind the institution’s “Towards including the King Hussein Cancer Life” campaign.

37 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 JORDAN A HUGE RELIEF RADIO GOES MOBILE n July 11, Zain and JETT, the Jordanian transport company, Odonated a mobile radio vehicle to public security radio, Amen FM. It was presented to Director of Public Security Major General Hussein Hazza Al Majali. Also present were Zain Jordan CEO Ahmad Al Hanandeh, JETT General Manager Malek Haddad and Amen FM General Manager Issam Al Omari.

ain renewed its partnership with the Ministry of ZSocial Development in August to support underprivileged families and individuals. The partnership, now in its seventh year, is financed by the Zain Relief Fund, established in 2005 to help raise the living standards of the needy. The fund has helped hundreds of families around the country by providing financial aid on regular, and emergency bases.

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA HIGH ACHIEVEMENT n August, Zain released “A telecom company in Saudi Arabia, and IWonderful World”, its first annual the second in the region, to release sustainability report, which captures such a report, demonstrating its Zain’s approach to a wide range of commitment to the highest levels of sustainability topics while presenting transparency and accountability. The its economic, environmental and social report can be downloaded at performance in 2010 as well as future www.sa.zain.com/sustainability. plans. The report was prepared using the global reporting OFF TO WORK initiative (GRI) WE GO G3 guidelines. It Zain Saudi Arabia was checked by Sustainability Report 2010 ain is trying to “nationalize” the GRI and Zvacancies in accordance with the certified to have standards recently adopted by the achieved a level Ministry of Labor. The company hopes B for disclosure to improve its already impressive based on the Saudization rate of 65% by increasing it 127 criteria to more than 90%. The plan will target included in the fresh graduates from both Saudi

guidelines. Zain A Wonderful World universities and the King Abdullah is the first Scholarship Program.

38 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA SUMMER JOBS ain trained university and institute company. This allowed them to put their them used to the idea of teamwork, Zstudents during the summer vacation studies into practice, maximizing their one of the core factors in Zain’s overall by giving them seasonal jobs in the knowledge and performance and getting success to date.

A “DRIVE” FOR LIFE ONE MESSAGE, ONE HOME n June 14, Zain Under the slogan, “One message Oorganized a can give a family a home,” Zain two-day blood drive sent SMSes in July to millions of to mark World customers encouraging them to Blood Donation make a donation to the Prince Day at the Salman Charity Housing company’s Association. The organization headquarters and builds homes for the needy across technical centers Saudi Arabia. The campaign in Riyadh, Jeddah allowed customers to easily donate and Dammam. by sending a text message with the donated amount to 5040.

GREEN THUMBS THE SOUND OF FUN Zain took part in World Environment ain provided fun Day on June 5 by Zactivities for a sending millions of group of children awareness-raising from the Saudi messages. The Association of company believes Hearing Impairment that preserving the as part of its environment is summer becoming entertainment increasingly events at all its important in light branches in major of the worldwide malls and centers neglect of across Saudi Arabia. conservation efforts.

39 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 KUWAIT THE NEXT BIG IDEA

n May, Zain launched a Bader, Youssef Al Ghadban, Dana Icompetition inviting Kuwaitis to Al Hilal, Dr. Fahd Al Mulla, Mariam come up with the best business Al Nesf, Ahmad Al Awadi, Dana Al idea. Dubbed Zain Great Idea, a Nafisi, Mohammad Al Kandari, collaboration with the Kuwaiti Mohammad Boland and Sahar Al Company for the Development of Nasrallah. All were selected by the Small Projects and the Cubical technical committee composed of Service Company, contestants can the Kuwaiti Company for the win up to KD 400,000 ($111,111) as Development of Small Projects well as an exclusive contract with and the Cubical Service Company Cubical to develop the business as well as Municipal Council idea. The aim is to highlight the member, Achwaq Al-Mudhaf, need for creativity and motivate assistant professor in the the Kuwaiti people to realize their Department of Management and dreams and watch their business Marketing at the Faculty of ideas become a reality. In July, Administrative Sciences at the Zain announced the ten winning Kuwait University, Dr. Abdullah contestants. They were: Dalal Al Sultan, and a Zain representative. HANDS ON THE WHEEL A CLEARER VISION mobile phones while driving (See Hang up Zain donated KD and drive page 48). The first phase featured 10,000 ($36,663) to shocking slogans such as “Ignore your best the Association for the friend,” “Reject your mom’s call,” and Blind. The company “Hang up on your wife.” Another featured earmarks a large a graphic image of a burning car with the section of its social slogan, “Got the message?” while actual programs to care for crashed cars were placed in public spaces. the blind and people Phase two has seen visits to schools and with special needs and universities to encourage dialogue had previously between the MOI and young people. Zain donated the Zain Eye, will also develop applications and Ear and Throat services for the MOI that are traffic Hospital, the first related, inviting youths to participate. specialized private Also on the agenda is lobbying the sector hospital, to the Kuwaiti parliament to implement safe Ministry of Health. driving measures. Zain has also The multimedia campaign used several supported various platforms, including TV, print, billboards organizations and and radio announcements as well as talk institutions dedicated show appearances and interviews. To to fighting diseases, make the campaign interactive, Zain including Kuwait’s n June, Zain collaborated with Kuwait’s used social media outlets like Twitter and CAN campaign, the IDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Facebook. The Facebook initiative was Kuwait Association for Interior Sheikh Ahmed Al Hamoud Al Sabah, particularly successful. It asked the Care of Children in and the Kuwait Ministry of Interior (MOI) contestants to take pictures of people Hospital (KACCH), to launch the Drive Zain program. using their mobile phones while driving. Bayt Abdullah and the A multimedia awareness and action The images were then posted on Zain Patients Helping Fund campaign that will be adopted by all Zain’s Kuwait’s Facebook page, with the best Society. operations, highlights the dangers of using pictures voted for online.

40 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 SUDAN TAKING ROOT

n June, Zain celebrated World Environment Day in Icooperation with the National Committee of Forests, under the slogan, “Forests are our wealth, so let us preserve them”. The celebration coincided with the International Year of Forests. The program included a cleanliness campaign at the Botanical Garden in Moqren, which saw the participation of all company employees. Zain is the 5th telecom company in the world to deploy the “Green Tower” which operates on solar energy with zero emissions and has also signed an MOU with the National Committee of Forests to fight desertification and tree cutting and to use of telecom technology to preserve the environment. The company also sponsored the Climate Change Forum, which was organized at the National Committee of Forests’ headquarters.

MAGIC ON ORPHANS’ DAY ain celebrated the annual Organization representative at the ZArab Orphan Day in a Thawra Center, said the day was a ceremony at the Greater success for Sudan’s orphans and Omdurman Garden’s Magic Land, she expressed the hope that such of which Zain is the sole sponsor, colorful initiatives would act as a attended by more than 1,000 model for the private sector to orphans. Also in attendance were play a greater role in the future. family members and various Orphans, the needy, the elderly welfare organizations, such as the and the sick have all benefitted Waqfia Organization for Orphans’ from Zain’s commitment to Care and the Hatyn Charity. helping those within the Mona Mahmoud, the Waqfia communities it serves.

WEDDED BLISS n partnership with the Charity Fund Ifor Youth Assistance to Marriage, Zain inaugurated the Zawaj Al Kheir program in May and celebrated the weddings of 1,500 Koranic students. The ceremony was attended by presidential adviser Dr Mustapha Osman Ismail and more than 10,000 members of the newlyweds’ families in addition to many CSR and political leaders and sheikhs of Sufi schools and Koranic religious houses from the capital and the provinces.

41 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 METROPOLIS A wonderful world Entertainment activities and events across all the operations GROUP ZAIN GROUP CEO HONORED

ain Group CEO Nabeel Bin ZSalamah (third from right) was honored at the 10th Arab Telecom and Internet Forum (ATIF) for his many achievements since his appointment in February 2010, including the completion of the groundbreaking $10.7 billion sale of Zain Africa to Bharti Airtel, the posting of record profits and revenues for 2010 and exciting product launches. The event, of which Zain was a platinum sponsor, was held in Beirut from June 2-3 and organized by Al Iktissad wal Aamal Group in organization Arabsat. Attendees different Arab ICT governmental cooperation with the Lebanese Ministry included officials and businessmen bodies. The timing of the conference of Telecommunications, ESCWA, ITU and representing regional telecom coincided with Lebanon’s preparations the Arab satellite communications ministries, private companies and to launch 3G services in the country.

BAHRAIN

STATE GOES ONLINE GETTING ain was a platinum sponsor of the MORE Bahrain International e-Government INTERACTIVE Z Zain co-hosted the Forum 2011, which took place in Bahrain World Social Media from May 16-18 and which demonstrated Day on June 30. how people will interact with government The event, held in services in the years ahead. Held under collaboration with the theme, “People, technology and Marketing @ processes for e-Government success,” the Bahrain and the conference took place under the Bahrain Internet patronage of Deputy Prime Minister HH Society, celebrated Sheikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al the online Khalifa, chairman of the Supreme community and Committee of Information and recognized the Communication Technology Association most active social (ARISPA). Zain also won an award for the network users e-content of its WoW service and was in Bahrain. honored at the closing ceremony.

42 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 FUN OFFERINGS

he grand opening of the Zain in a raffle draw with valuable prizes Festival, held at the Bahrain TBroadband Fair took place on May ranging from laptops, handsets and International Exhibition Center under 14 at the Bahrain City Center. The free broadband rentals, while new the patronage of Supreme Council for event, held under the patronage of customers received gifts upon signing Youth and Sport First Deputy Hisham Al Jowder, president of the up for the service. Activities included Chairman and President of the Bahrain General Organization for Youth and henna and face painting as music was Royal Equestrian and Endurance Sports, showcased Zain’s exciting provided by a Bahraini band in Federation Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad upgraded Broadband 2.0 offerings for traditional costume. In the same Al Khalifa. This too was an opportunity a six-week period at the Galleria area month, Zain was an active participant for Zain to promote its offers and the of the popular mall. Visitors took part in the week-long Love and Loyalty upgraded Zain Broadband 2.0.

IRAQ

WINNERS TAKE IT ALL ain’s mini-soccer team won the Zfirst Telecom Day Championship with a 2-1 win over the Telecom Club. Organized by the Ministry of Communications, 15 teams representing the Iraqi telecom sector took part. The third and fourth spots went to the Ministry of Communications Club and the Post Department Club, respectively. The ministry’s senior technical director, Amir Khodr Al Bayati, distributed prizes to the winners in a special ceremony. Zain is also the official sponsor of the Iraqi national football team, which won the Asian Cup for the first time in 2007.

43 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 IRAQ LEBANON STAR PERFORMERS HAPPY BIRTHDAY s part of the Apromotional mtc campaign to highlight its expansion into the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Zain teamed up with well-known Kurdish singer Nazdar and famous Arab performer Majid Al Mohandes (pictured). Zain officially launching the first phase of providing touch celebrated its 7th anniversary on services to mtcJuly 2 at the Intercontinental Kurdistan in May. hotel, where members of the mtc touch family were entertained by the popular Lebanese band Al Forsan Al Arbaa who performed classical Lebanese songs. JORDAN STRENGTHENING NATIONAL BONDS housands joined celebrations held by TZain at the Al Hassan City for Youth in Irbid to commemorate the country’s 65th Independence Day on May 25. Festivities included folkloric dance, performances by Jordanian artists Hussam and Wissam Al Loziand Miteib Al Saggar. Hosted by local celebrity Mohammad Al Wakeel, the event ended with a concert by Jordanian star Omar Al Abdallat, who sang songs from his latest album. In June, to boost its presence across the country, Zain also hosted celebrations in both the Kerak and Aqaba governorates, which were attended by thousands. Hosted by Jordanian star Yasser Al Masri, the festivities also included folkloric and musical shows by various Jordanian artists including the Maan Folkloric Group and further performances by Hussam and Wissam Al Lozi, and Omar Al Abdallat.

44 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 ‘E’ FOR EXCELLENCE

ain became the first telecom sector in 2011 at the annual Zcompany in the region to serve Global Telecom awards micro-credit financing to ceremony in London. companies via its pioneering E-mal is a simple concept E-mal service. In June, at the 8th but onethat has defined the annual Microfinance Network of future role of the mobile phone. Arab Countries (Sanabel), of which It is a virtual wallet that can be Zain was a main sponsor, the accessed and controlled from service was presented to the over customers’ mobile handsets. 600 organizations, from 12 Through the m-wallet countries in attendance. The (mobile wallet); the presentation covered Zain’s efforts customer transfer money to support micro-credit financing between wallets; pay Zain including the 2010 agreement bills and Zain internet with Tamweelcom, the Jordanian bills as well as recharge micro-credit company that allows their talk-time credit. customers to use mobile wallet Customers can also conduct services through their mobile icrofinance mobile payments phones. E-mal won Zain the top and mobile payment prize for innovation in the telecom to merchants.

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Who’s got talent? Winners of the Zain-sponsored Arabs Got Talent contest were awarded a multitude of prizes, including laptops and BlackBerry smartphones, after thousands of fans of the reality show, which appears on cable channel MBC4, entered the competition.

45 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA COMMUNITY SPIRIT In June, Zain announced its three-year LOCATION IS EVERYTHING sponsorship of the Abha Festival. The cultural, shopping and entertainment he June, Zain extravaganza, which was first held in TWorld Flagship 1998, promotes in Abha, store was opened in Asir’s provincial capital. This year, the June in Riyadh. The festival took place under the slogan, shop boasts a VIP “Abha Festival brings us together.” section, a private lounge for women A PROUD TRACK RECORD customers, an advice On the occasion of the World desk and an area Telecommunication Day, staff and where customers can students at King Saud University’s learn about Zain’s Faculty of Engineering were treated corporate social several lectures by Zain employees on responsibility (CSR) its current activities and its use of work. Two similar advanced technologies. The talks outlets have been emphasized the company’s marketing opened in Jeddah strategies and technical experience as and Dammam well as its high-quality products and services. Other topics included Zain’s network building and service Saudi KUWAIT society through CSR initiatives.

GRAND FINALE CITY OF In June, Zain ended its local sports festival by holding a mini-football championship for WONDERS employees at the Al Kadesia’s In May, Zain City, the largest Hilal Fajhan Al Mutairi Hall. A exhibition for its authorized special guest was also in local distributors, was attendance: Fernando launched under the slogan Morientes Sánchez (centre), “Take me with you to Zain the Real Madrid and former City”. Customers enjoyed Liverpool, Valencia and the latest promotional offers Marseille star, who also visited on all Zain voice and data the pediatrics department at services as well as view the the Zain ENT Hospital. latest smartphones and tablets.

SUDAN WORDS IN MOTION ain sponsored the publication and launch of four collections of verse Zby Raoda Al Haj, Sudan’s first major female poet. Zain has supported Mrs. Al Haj (pictured) since her breakthrough in the UAE in 2006. Ibrahim Al Hassan, Zain's chief administration officer, described Raoda's work as a true representation of Zain's values while Sudan’s minister of culture, Al Samaoal Khalafala, praised Zain for its ongoing efforts to support the arts.

46 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011

MOBILE LIFE

You wouldn't read and drive, so why talk and drive? Hang up and drive Using a mobile phone behind the wheel is a dangerous, and sometimes fatal, distraction dangerous while driving. Studies in the any drivers seem to think that drivers exhibited a high degree of past seven years by both the University spending a few seconds greater impairment.” of Illinois and the Canadian Mdialing a number or reading a Automobile Association have shown text when they really should be “You put yourself and others at risk that talking on a phone – whether looking at the road is harmless. They when you use a cell phone and drive,” handheld or hands-free – slows a are wrong. That short distraction can Strayer, the study’s lead author, driver’s response time by around 10%. actually be fatal. wrote. “The level of impairment is very high.” In 2009, using brain imaging A 2003 report by the University of Utah technology, researchers at Carnegie on using mobile phones while driving A more recent study from the Virginia Mellon University discovered that – still considered the benchmark study Tech Transportation Institute found in listening to a mobile phone while on the subject – found that people 2009 that drivers sending or receiving driving decreases brain activity in the using their phones behind the wheel text messages were 23 times more likely parietal lobe – critical for navigation – were more likely to get into accidents. to either crash or have to quickly avoid by 37%. Marcel Just, a neuroscientist The study’s six authors observed having an accident. Texting, the study at Carnegie Mellon, told USA Today several types of drivers with various found, took a driver’s eyes off the road shortly after the study was published bad motoring habits. for 4.6 seconds, on average. Clearly not that “certain activities in life are paying attention to where one is going is inherently multitasking, but driving and Surprisingly, only those drivers on a sure fire way to slam into another car. cell phone use isn’t.” phones got into accidents. Based on that and other data they collected, the But it’s not just looking away from Although mobile phone use while authors concluded “that cell phone traffic that makes mobile phones driving is clearly dangerous, few

48 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 countries keep detailed statistics on Organization (WHO) report made it how often the devices are involved in clear that roads in the Middle East and while driving. In fact, in 90% of car crashes. There are even fewer North Africa (MENA) are among the accidents in Kuwait, the main reliable figures for how many people world’s deadliest. Globally, road contributing factor is human error, and are killed because of mobile-related accidents kill some 1.2 million people studies indicate a direct link to the use accidents. However, a Harvard and they are the 11th leading cause of of mobile phones and road accidents University analysis of accident statistics death. In the MENA region, however, found that in America, cell phones traffic accidents are the sixth leading Road accidents also cost Kuwait cause 636,000 crashes (6%) each year, cause of death, taking an average of approximately KD115 million ($385 killing 2,600 and injuring over 340,000 14.7 lives per 100,000 people, the million), in terms of health care, more. WHO reported. insurance and policing. This figure is roughly 2% of the GDP. Each year, over A review in the Netherlands estimated In June, Zain Kuwait and the Kuwaiti 200 people die on Kuwait’s roads that 8% of all hospital admissions in Ministry of Interior (MOI) launched annually with 6,000 injured, while it is the country in 2004 involved car Drive Zain, (see page 33) a estimated that the emotional trauma accidents caused by mobile phones multimedia awareness campaign to affects a further 25,000 friends and (this figure is surely now much higher highlight the dangers of using mobile relatives. In the first two months of with the advent of smartphones and phones while driving. In fact, 2011, the MOI registered 9,883 instant messaging services). According promoting road safety is one of the accidents with 75 deaths. At this rate, to a 2009 European Commission (EC) core CSR mandates for global mobile the figure for the entire year will report titled “Car Telephone Use and operators. exceed 300. The MOI’s traffic Road Safety,” continent-wide department has projected a 68% reporting of collisions and injuries on The campaign could not have come increase in Middle East traffic-related the road involving mobile phones is soon enough. Kuwait has the highest deaths by 2015. nearly non-existent. number of traffic-related deaths in the world and the advent of smartphones Meanwhile, some 34% of all people who In the Middle East, data is just as has only made the situation worse, as die in accidents in the MENA region are scarce, but a 2002 World Health people talk, text and even play games killed in road accidents, higher than any

Talking on the phone is one of the major causes of road traffic accidents

49 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 Texting on the move is a surefire way to have an accident other region of the world, according to Shortly after becoming president in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi the WHO. These figures were compiled 2009, Barack Obama signed an Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In when mobile phone use was nowhere executive order banning government North Africa, only Morocco has a ban. near as common as it is today in the workers from using mobile phones in By far the leader of the pack in realizing MENA region. All of the Gulf state-owned cars and from texting on the risk is Japan, the only country that Cooperation Council countries have their work phones in their personal bans drivers from using both handheld mobile phone penetration rates over vehicles. Like many countries around and hands-free mobile phones. 100%, while many other MENA the world, the US has been slow in countries have penetration rates above responding to the clear and present Those who still look skeptically at the 60%. That these devices distract drivers danger of using a mobile phone while research often note that there seems and cause more collisions and fatalities driving. to be no correlation between driving is all but certain. with a talkative passenger and There is no federal law in the US increased accidents. Data on how many drivers in the MENA banning mobile phone use on the region use their phones while driving is road. Only eight states ban talking on Why is talking on a mobile phone scant, but in other parts of the world, a mobile while driving, but 33 states any different? one-third to half of people admit they ban texting. Europe also lacks a use their phones while behind the European Union-wide ban. That said, “When you have someone sitting next wheel. According to the EC report, in 26 of the 27 member countries ban to you they are acting as an extra set of surveys, 81% of Finns say they talk and handheld mobiles while driving, but eyes,” Dr Amit Almor, an associate drive, as do 36% of Brits and 50% of the only 10 specifically prohibit texting. professor of psychology at the Dutch. A 2010 survey by the Pew University of South Carolina, explained Research Center found that in the US, Only around 60 of the 192 UN member in an interview with Reuters. A 61% of adults and 43% of teens take or states ban using a handheld mobile on passenger, he said, can watch for make calls in their vehicles while 27% of the road, but that does include several dangers, which is “something that a adults and 26% of teens text. in the Middle East such as Bahrain, remote person can’t alert you to.”

50 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011

MOBILE LIFE Servers in the sky Software and data storage are finding a silver lining with cloud computing

Sky's the limit. In a nutshell, cloud computing is off-shore data and software storage

loud computing, the practice of days, everyone in the tech world is coupled with “it can do anything” storing data on remote servers talking about “the cloud.” Microsoft commercials as a marketing ploy. Caccessible anywhere in the world started a marketing campaign in late Speaking about cloud computing at a using almost any Internet-capable 2010 that repeatedly mentioned – and technology conference in late 2008, he device, is gaining popularity with gave demonstrations of – “the cloud” said, “Maybe I'm an idiot, but I have individual users after years of being without going into detail about what no idea what anyone is talking about. mostly a corporate phenomenon. they were talking about. What is it?”

To many of the uninitiated, the concept Tech guru and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, who knows exactly what might appear hazy. It seems that these Ellison saw such vague language everyone is talking about, was being

52 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 Amazon was one of the first companies to begin offering cloud computing, and today there are dozens offering the service, like Microsoft, Google and Apple

He then outlined the “new” model: “It starts with the premise that the data services and architecture should be on servers. We call it cloud computing – they should be in a ‘cloud’ somewhere. And that if you have the right kind of browser or the right kind of access, it doesn’t matter whether you have a PC or a Mac or a mobile phone or a BlackBerry or what have you – or new devices still to be developed – you can get access to the cloud.”

Just as companies can keep software on servers – freeing up hard drive space in the office – they can also store data in the cloud. Amazon was one of the first companies to begin Former Apple CEO, Steve Jobs sees cloud compluting as a necessity for the modern consumer, who increasingly interacts with technology via several different devices, such as laptops, smartphones and tablets offering cloud services, and today there are dozens of firms offering use facetious, but hit the nail on the head The genesis of the cloud computing of their clouds. More recently, for the average consumer. Industry idea dates back to the 1960s, but it companies such as Microsoft, Google outsiders, when first encountering the wasn’t until at least 30 years later and Apple are offering could access to term, often scratched their heads and that tech firms first began offering individual consumers. wondered what exactly it was all about. clients cloud services. In terms of software, cloud computing offers In June, former Apple CEO Steve Jobs In a nutshell, cloud computing is off- companies extra space and unlimited unveiled the company’s newest shore data and software storage. Think access. In a 2006 presentation, product, iCloud, which, for the first of it basically as outsourcing. A Google CEO Eric Schmidt summed it time in years, is not a sleek, expensive company with IT needs can use the up succinctly and, some argue, gadget. Instead, it is a service that “cloud” as “a way to increase capacity introduced the term “cloud allows customers to store e-mails, or add capabilities on the fly without computing” to the general public for applications, documents and music in investing in new infrastructure, training the first time. a cloud. Speaking at Apple’s World new personnel or licensing new Developers’ Conference in San software. Cloud computing The “old” software developer/client Francisco, he pitched the idea as a encompasses any subscription-based model, he said, “was a direct sales necessity for the modern consumer, or pay-per-use service that, in real time force that would go in and sell who increasingly interacts with over the Internet, extends IT’s existing complicated software to enterprises technology via several different capabilities,” as the tech website that they would integrate and for devices – laptops, smartphones, infoworld.com put it. important business functions.” tablets, etc.

53 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 Zain customers in Bahrain, Jordan and KSA can access the cloud in respective deals with Microsoft Live and Google Entreprise

“Keeping all of these devices in sync is driving us crazy,” he said. By using a cloud for storage, e-mails, applications, documents and music are available to a user on any device connected to the Internet. That concept was also the largest selling point Microsoft highlighted in several of its commercials from late 2010 pitching individual cloud computing products.

A global survey released in June found over 45% of companies are storing their corporate e-mail servers in the cloud Not only does the cloud help individuals sync devices, it also helps to a June 2010 press release from the Companies that offer cloud services are make sharing easier. Instead of having British tech research firm Gartner, hard at work beefing up security, but to e-mail a photo to a friend halfway “worldwide cloud services revenue recent high-profile hacks of multi- around the world, and worry the format [was] forecast to reach $68.3 billion [by national companies, such as Sony and might not be compatible with that the end of that 2010], a 16.6% increase Citibank, highlight the concerns clouds friend’s computer, users can store their from the 2009 revenue of $58.6 billion. raise. That said, companies, particularly photos on the cloud and friends can The industry is poised for strong small businesses, and consumers are access and manipulate them at will. growth through 2014, when worldwide increasingly using cloud computing, and cloud services revenue is projected to the trend does not seem like it will go In June, Zain customers in Bahrain, reach $148.8 billion.” away any time soon. and Jordan could access the as part of an agreement with Microsoft Live, Gartner also estimated that “by 2012, A global survey released in June, while KSA inked a similar deal with 20% of businesses will own no back-end conducted by the Seattle-based tech Google Entreprise. The deal gives IT assets of their own, planning instead consulting firm Avanade, found over customers access to data storage as to store everything all in the cloud,” 45% of companies store their well as photo and video editing according to the tech website Cnet.com. corporate e-mail servers in the cloud. programs, not to mention Microsoft’s More than a 25% of respondents also popular hotmail e-mail service and While the cloud offers many perks, it is said their financial and accounting Microsoft Messenger, both of which not without peril. Storing data and systems, as well as their human users can sync with their smartphones. using software for sensitive operations resources services, are in the cloud. that is based off shore opens one up to Google recently took individual use of vulnerabilities. In 2010, the security This is the third survey on cloud the cloud to the next level by vendor Fortify Software surveyed 100 computing Avanade has conducted, introducing the Chromebook to the hackers at the annual computer pirate and the company found that “growth market. This new laptop takes its name conference Defcon. in cloud adoption was reported in Italy from Google’s Chrome web browser (89%), Canada (68%), France (45%), and essentially replaces a hard drive According to Cnet.com, “A sizable 96% Germany (43%) and Australia (31%) with access to the cloud. said they believe the cloud opens up [between] 2009 [and] 2011. The US has more hacking opportunities, while 89% also seen steady growth with a 19% With these new developments, the said cloud vendors aren’t doing enough increase in cloud adoption since cloud business is booming. According to address cybersecurity issues.” Avanade’s September 2009 study.”

54 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 ررﺳﺳﺎﻟرﺳﺎﻟﺔﺔ اﻟﻤﺪﻤﺪﻳاﻟﻤﺪﻳﺮﺮﻳﺮ اﻟﻌﻟﻌﺎاﻟﻌﺎممﺎم اﻟاﻟﺘﺘﻨﻨﻔﻴﻔﻴﺬيﺬياﻟﺘﻨﻔﻴﺬي

أﻳﺎأﻳﺎرر 20201111 ﻛﻮﻧﻜﺖﻛﻮﻧﻜﺖ 3 MOBILE LIFE Good things, small packages Tablets are quickly gaining in popularity, but could they soon replace laptops?

ith the advent of the iPad in Tablet computers are nothing new – million. By 2012, global tablet sales April 2010, Apple once again Microsoft has offered them since 2000 should reach nearly 70 million and hit Wsparked an uprising in the – but after the iPad’s release, sales of 294 million by 2015, the UK tech- gadget world. User-friendly, Internet- the devices exploded, and the market consulting firm Gartner estimates. connected, lightweight and portable, got a lot more competitive. In 2009, the device became the sought after Samsung, LG Group, Huawei and The technological roots of the tablet new toy and has positioned the tablet others had tablets on the market, and computer stretch back to 1888. That computer as a potential replacement global sales were around two million, year in Highland Park, Illinois, around 40 for the laptop. Even if Apple’s product according to technology research firm kilometers outside of Chicago, is forgotten in 15 years, it has ushered IHS iSuppli. Twelve months and a Gray patented the Telautograph – a in a shift in technology that will live on Steve Jobs presentation later, device similar to a telegraph that for much longer. worldwide tablet sales jumped to 17.6 allowed people to transmit handwritten

A RIM executive holds a Blackberry PlayBook at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January

56 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 On May 22, 2011, Apple installed dedicated iPad stations near all its products in 300 stores worldwide to serve as sales tools for shopping and customer assistance messages as they wrote them in real Apple sold three million tablets in 80 time through electrical currents. days, and the floodgates opened. By the end of Tablets today, such as the Samsung Indeed the first modern tablets were Galaxy Tab, the Toshiba Folio 100 and 2011, worldwide little more than sophisticated the Viewsonic Viewpad 10, are designed handwriting recognition devices to let users watch videos and movies, tablet sales should capable of about as much as Gray’s listen to music and stream television Telautograph. Microsoft’s first Tablet shows. Easier to carry than a laptop, reach nearly 70 PC was an electronic note-taking they provide mobile entertainment on million and hit 294 device, and it evolved from there. the go via the Internet on a screen larger than a smartphone. million by 2015 Amazon’s Kindle hit shelves in the US in late 2007, and was available globally The current top rivalry in the tablet in 2009. At first, the device was only world involves operating systems. Many nicknamed “Honeycomb,” hit the capable of displaying e-books, but by tablets before the iPad used Google’s market. By 2015, Gartner expects July 2010 a newer version was Android operating system. Apple’s iOS Android to be more prevalent, connected to the Internet, clearly a platform – which runs exclusively on the reaching a nearly 40% market share, response to a market demanding more iPad – commanded 83.9% of the tablet compared to 47% for iOS. from a tablet. market in 2010, according to Gartner. Android, which Google licenses to BlackBerry maker RIM entered the When former Apple CEO Steve Jobs multiple device manufacturers, was the tablet game in 2011 with the PlayBook first unveiled the iPad to shareholders second most common tablet operating and also uses an operating system, in January 2010, he focused on its system, with a 14.2% market share last QNX, unique to its devices. Gartner Internet browsing capabilities. “It is year, Gartner found. anticipates QNX will be the third most the best browsing experience you’ve popular tablet operating system in ever had,” he said. “It’s phenomenal At the time, Android was designed for 2015, with a 10% market share. In May, to see a whole webpage right in front a phone, but was being used in Zain began offering the PlayBook to of you that you can manipulate with tablets. Google and its partners in some customers and is currently your fingers. It’s unbelievably great. developing Android began tweaking, selling competitively priced models at Way better than a laptop, way better and by February 2011 a new version of all Zain Experience Shops in Bahrain than a smartphone.” the system specifically for tablets, (see Alerts page 9).

57 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 The operating system a tablet uses may 2011, one year after its initial release, on the devices. Such limited space, seem trivial, but the platform is crucial “the iPad has 75,000 apps now and a currently necessary to maintain a because it supports applications – or lot of important partners who are tablet’s thin dimensions, would at first apps. Apps are all the rage for committed to the platform.” seem a disadvantage for the device. smartphones and are becoming equally However, with the rise of “cloud popular for tablet computers. Reviews “Seeing the response from both computing,” using external servers to of non-iPad tablets frequently lament a consumers and enterprises to the iPad, store what used to be kept on a hard lack of app choices. many vendors are trying to compete drive, the need for an individual to by first delivering on hardware and have a device with large amounts of Indeed, the popular tech news website then trying to leverage the platform storage space is diminishing. ZDNet.com noted that as of April ecosystem,” Carolina Milanesi, research vice president at Gartner, said Many analysts, therefore, are in a press release from the same year. predicting that in the not-too-distant In May, Zain “Many, however, are making the same future, tablets – or a modified version mistake that was made in the first of them – will be the next phase of began offering the response wave to the iPhone, as they personal computing. are prioritizing hardware features over PlayBook to some applications, services and overall user “The fact is,” wrote Wired magazine experience. Tablets will be much more the month the iPad came out, “the customers and is dependent on the latter than way we use computers is outmoded…. currently selling smartphones have been, and the Most of the software we use today has sooner vendors realize that, the better its origins in the pre-Internet era, when competitively chance they have to compete head-to- storage was at a premium, machines head with Apple.” ran thousands of times slower and priced models at applications were sold in shrink- In fact, it is through apps that programs wrapped boxes for hundreds of all Experience like Microsoft Word – and other dollars. With the iPad, Apple is making Shops in Bahrain programs too big for a tablet’s limited its play to become the center of a memory and storage capacity – work post-PC era.”

IDEOS S7, Huawei's Android tablet, on display at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 17, 2011

58 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011

RADIANCE No need to panic Responsible behavior can reduce the health risks allegedly derived from extensive mobile phone use

olorful, practical, used as fashion statements, business devices or powerful media tools, mobile phones have Ccertainly revolutionized our world. However, with the recent publication of some possible health hazards associated with the long-term use of mobile phones, many have begun to ask if it is safe to lend it your ear.

According the American National Cancer Institute, the number of mobile phone users has increased at a phenomenal rate. “As of 2010, there were more than 303 The dangers of excessive mobile phone use may have been exagerated million subscribers to mobile phone service in the United States, according to the Cellular Telecommunications and “as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on Internet Association. This is an increase from 110 million an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain users in 2000. Globally, the number of mobile phone cancer, associated with wireless phone use.” subscriptions is estimated to be 5 billion.” The figure is now 5.3 billion (77% of the world’s population) and rising. The IARC classifies carcinogenic agents according to different degrees. “Group 2B is used for agents for which There have always been concerns that radiofrequency energy there is limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and produced by mobile phones may affect the brain and other less than sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in tissues in the head to cause both malignant (cancerous) and experimental animals,” says the report. This classification benign (noncancerous) tumors in the brain and spinal cords, includes lead, nickel and chloroform, along with other and other areas around the head and neck. chemical substances.

The first link between mobile telephones and brain tumors was The IARC published the report after convening a group of 31 made when a lawsuit filed in the US in 1992 by David Reynard scientists from 14 countries to study the health risks associated alleged that the use of a mobile phone caused his wife’s with radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. The group terminal brain cancer. The case, along with many others with reviewed hundreds of scientific studies tackling the issue. similar claims, was eventually dismissed for lack of evidence. Dr Jonathan Samet (from the University of Southern But after years of inconclusive reports, a recent study California, USA), chairman of the working group, said in a published on 31 May 2011 by the World Health press release, “The evidence, while still accumulating, is Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer strong enough to support a conclusion and the 2B (IARC) classified radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields classification. The conclusion means that there could be

60 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 some risk, and therefore we need to keep a close watch for a link between mobile phones and cancer risk.” Despite all the data pointing to the dangers to the brain, Others in the medical community have mentioned the possibility of undesirable effects, including genetic damage, you are more likely to be sleep disturbances, reduced learning capacity, concentration difficulties and psychological problems in harmed when talking on the younger people. phone while driving than This seems to confirm media reports that have claimed for anything else years that a large bulk of the microwave emissions from handheld mobile telephones may be absorbed in the user’s head, creating “hot spots” in the brain and raising health from 13 countries, have emphasized that brain cancer is not risk concerns. Other reports have indicated that mobile more common among heavy mobile phone users. telephone users suffer localized headaches when they use their telephone. Another study, though published in March 2000, years before the advent of smartphones increased the use of mobile Should we panic? The difficulty in interpreting such reports devices, did not find an association between occupational is that brain cancer occurs naturally in the human radio frequency exposure and brain cancers or population making it almost impossible to determine from lymphoma/leukemia, even though the 200,000 Motorola where the disease came. employees studied between 1976 and 1996 represented, in industry terms, 2.7 million person-years of possible exposure. In 2010, Cancer Research UK wrote: “The vast majority of studies have found that mobile phones do not increase the Although reports are contradictory, as long as health risk of brain tumors, or any other type of cancer,” while a hazards linked to the use of handheld devices are much cited landmark Danish study, published in 2006, looked circulating, why not stick to the few simple rules mentioned at over 420,000 people and found no link between mobile below that may ward off any possible undesirable effects. In phones and cancer. Reports from the Interphone study one reality, you are more likely to be harmed talking on the year later, which surveyed over 6,000 people with brain cancer phone while driving than anything else.

TIPS • Try to use a phone that has the and organs are much more antenna at the base of conductive than the brain. Metal the unit, as exposure levels glasses and earrings can have the decrease as the distance from the same effect. antenna increases. Using a • Try not to use phones in enclosed Bluetooth device or an earpiece metal spaces, such as a car, as they can help, as can activating the can multiply mobile phone activity, speakerphone and talking at a causing it to operate at its highest distance of at least 20cm. output levels. Radio waves are • If your phone’s antenna is located trapped and the conductive near the top of the unit, use the surroundings reflect the microwave headphone accessory or the emissions, causing an increase in speakerphone option. The added radio frequency exposure. benefit of hands-free talking is that, • Avoid wearing earrings or apart from reducing exposure to corrective glasses with metallic radio waves, it also allows you to wires while talking on the phone, as focus on the road if you are driving. metal has a multiplier effect on • Try not to attach phones to a belt phone emissions. or carry them in your purse close to • As much as possible, children your body, as the harmful radio should not use mobile phones as waves can penetrate the area near the risks of illnesses, such as brain the mobile phone handset. This cancer, among younger people is radiant energy is absorbed much far higher. faster than in your head, as tissues

61 CONNECT SEPTEMBER 2011 SUDAN Over 39.6 million 11,387,000 active customers in 7* countries

The numbers show active customers as of H1 2011.

*Exclusive of Morocco, in which Zain has a 15.5% ownership in the mobile operator ‘inwi’

ﺳﺒﺘﻤﺒﺮ 2011 ﻛﻮﻧﻜﺖ 67

Connect DP map.indd 8 9/29/11 5:33:53 PM LEBANON IRAQ 1,635,000 12,294,000

JORDAN 2,695,000 KUWAIT 2,020,000

BAHRAIN 467,000

SAUDI ARABIA 9,125,000

ﺳﺒﺘﻤﺒﺮ 2011 ﻛﻮﻧﻜﺖ 66

Connect DP map.indd 8 9/29/11 5:33:53 PM