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September 15, 2008
EMS and Warid Telecom introduce the BlackBerry Solution to Prepaid Users in Pakistan
Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Lahore, Pakistan - Emitac Mobile Solutions (EMS) and Warid Telecom today announced the launch of the BlackBerry® solution for all Zem prepaid users in Pakistan. The BlackBerry solution brings together smartphones, software and services to allow easy wireless access to email, phone, calendar, web, multimedia and many other business and lifestyle applications. Prepaid customers in Pakistan will now be able to enjoy the productivity benefits of using BlackBerry® smartphones to stay connected to people and information on the go.
Chief Executive Officer of Warid Telecom, Marwan Zawaydeh, said, “Warid Telecom has one of the largest GPRS/EDGE networks in Pakistan and is focused on providing the latest innovations to our valued users. Since prepaid connections are the priority for the majority of users in Pakistan, we are introducing the BlackBerry solution with prepaid options for them. It helps bridge the digital divide for the majority of people in the Pakistani market. Our loyal Zem prepaid users will be the first in Pakistan to enjoy the benefits of BlackBerry smartphones.”
“Warid's plan to introduce BlackBerry smartphones on prepaid plans gives opportunities to the majority of its customer segment who can enjoy one of the best wireless services available in the global market," said Babar Khan, CEO of Emitac Mobile Solution (EMS), adding “we will continue assisting our client and strengthen their ability to deliver innovative products and experiences to customers in Pakistan.”
Warid Telecom will offer Zem Prepaid users the BlackBerry® 8820, BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8120 and BlackBerry® Curve™ 8310 smartphones.
BlackBerry 8820 Smartphone
The BlackBerry 8820 smartphone combines powerful email, messaging, web access and premium phone features along with an advanced media player, expandable memory slot, built-in Wi-Fi® and GPS.
BlackBerry Pearl 8120 Smartphone
The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 is a mere 107mm x 50mm x 14mm and weighs about 91 grams. In addition to supporting phone, email, messaging, organiser, web browser and other mobile applications, the BlackBerry Pearl 8120 includes a digital camera, MP3 and video player, and an expandable memory card slot. It also includes built-in Wi-Fi for faster connectivity to the web and other mobile data applications.
BlackBerry Curve 8310 Smartphone
The BlackBerry Curve 8310 is a powerful and intuitive smartphone that features a full QWERTY keyboard, yet is light and compact in size. The smartphone includes a camera and rich multimedia capabilities, as well as built-in GPS that supports location-based applications and services such as mapping and navigation.
Warid Telecom is offering the BlackBerry® Internet Service for its Zem Prepaid users:
The BlackBerry Internet Service is designed for smaller businesses and individuals. It allows customers to access up to 10 supported corporate and personal email accounts (including most popular ISP email accounts such as, Yahoo! Mail and Google Mail) from a single device.
About Warid Telecom (www.waridtel.com)
Warid Telecom is a joint venture between Abu Dhabi Group & SingTel Group. Abu Dhabi Group entered into a strategic alliance with Singapore Telecom in July 2007. Subsequent to this transaction, telecom giant SingTel acquired 30% percent equity stake in Warid Telecom, Pakistan, for US$758 million. This partnership is part of a strategy to support Warid Telecom’s continued growth and to enhance its market position.
Abu Dhabi Group, one of the largest business groups in the Middle East and the single largest foreign investor in Pakistan. Abu Dhabi Group is led by His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan. Group’s other successful investments in Pakistan besides Warid Telecom includes Bank Alfalah, United Bank Limited, Taavun, Wateen Telecom and Raseen technologies. The group has launched its telecom operations in Bangladesh, Congo-Brazzaville and Uganda. Also, there are plans in place to launch services in the Ivory Coast soon. The Abu Dhabi Group has other international investments in the finance, hospitality, property, oil exploration and supplies sector, and automobile-related industries.
SingTel’s investment in mobile operations include, Advanced Info Service (AIS)–Thailand, (21.4%), Bharti Telecom Group – India (30.5%), Optus Telecom – Australia (100%), Globe Telecom – Philippines (44.5%), Pacific Bangladesh Telecom (PBTL)- Bangladesh (45%), Telkomsel – Indonesia (35%) and Warid Telecom – Pakistan (30%).
About Emitac Mobile Solution (EMS):
Emitac Mobile Solutions (EMS) is a Dubai based solutions and service provider and Research In Motion (RIM) strategic channel partner focused on the delivery, implementation and support of BlackBerry solutions. EMS provides mobile operators with sales, marketing, distribution, solution implementation and technical support services for the BlackBerry wireless platform from RIM.
For organisations using the BlackBerry wireless platform, EMS provides the ability to rapidly create, deploy and manage robust client-server wireless applications that reduce an organization's total cost of ownership and significantly increases the value of their mobile technology investment.
EMS is the region’s first Mobile Virtual Solutions Provider (MVSP) whose services are delivered through partnerships the company has with mobile operators in the Gulf, North Africa and Eastern Europe. For more information about EMS, visit http://www.emsmobile.com
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.