Wataniya International has invested in Saudi Arabia’s Public Telecommunications Company (PTC) as a 38 percent shareholder and will manage the operations of a digital trunked network utilizing Motorola’s iDEN push-to-talk technology. PTC has a 15 year BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer) contract with STC.

“This is an exciting time in our company’s evolution,” said Faisal Al-Ayyar, chairman of Wataniya International. “Part of our growth strategy has always been to identify technologies which will enhance our existing portfolio of wireless, voice and data services and by entering into this agreement with PTC the company continues to diversify its position in the MENA region and beyond. Saudi Arabia is a huge untapped market for telecommunications.”

iDEN provides the following key benefits:

• Integrates four services in one handset: Two way digital radio, digital wireless phone, messaging and data/fax capabilities leveraging Internet access technology;

• Enhances Specialized Mobile Radio (ESMR) at 800 MHz Frequency;

• Offers more wireless communication services on less bandwidth;

• Enhances Dispatch (one-to-one or one-to-many, two way radio communications).

Intel Software Network

Creates ‘One-Stop Shop’

Intel’s Software and Solutions Group has created the Intel Software Network, a collection of software development products, tools, training and expert advice designed to help software developers bring more innovative products to market even faster on Intel platforms. The announcement was made during the introduction of the company’s high-end Intel Xeon processor MP line.

The formation of the Intel Software Network purposely coincides with a number of key Intel platform innovations coming to market ranging from multicore processors to silicon technologies for virtualization, security, manageability, 64-bit memory addressability and multithreading.

The initial rollout of the Intel Software Network delivers tools, tips and training for software developers grappling with multicore architectures, 64-bit extensions, occasionally connected mobile applications, advanced manageability and other leading technologies. Ultimately, Intel expects to work with hundreds of thousands of developers worldwide through various aspects of the Intel Software Network.

Some of the programs, services and products included in the network include:

• The Intel Mobile Platform Software Developer Kit (SDK) to aid developers in building applications for an increasingly mobile computing lifestyle. The latest addition to the suite of Intel Software Development Products, the new SDK includes a run-time software library that simplifies the development of applications for laptops and handheld devices that can sense mobile device status and adapt to accommodate power, connectivity and bandwidth usage.

• A Multicore Readiness Program to help developers prepare their applications for multicore computing by providing them with Intel Threading Tools and thousands of multicore development platforms for Intel architecture-based clients and servers. Developers have already begun to receive systems based on Intel’s forthcoming Intel Pentium Processor Extreme Edition and Intel Pentium D processor.

• The Intel Software Developer Dispatch with CDs and DVDs containing software tools and indepth technical content to help developers design and architect applications that extract the maximum benefit from Intel technologies and platforms. Intel Software Developer Dispatch is released and shipped to subscribers approximately once per quarter.

• The Enterprise Developer Program that provides software resources tailored to the enterprise developer’s needs, including lab-access to the latest Intel Itanium and Intel Xeon processor-based platforms in clusters, grid and SMP configurations. Development teams can work directly with Intel application engineers to assist them in migrating to 64-bit or to optimize their applications and use the myriad Intel tools, from threading tools to compilers.

• Intel Software College courses including the Threading Training Program curriculum with expert instructors teaching basic and advanced threading techniques.

There is no cost to join the Intel Software Network. Developers can find out more information and enroll at www.intel.com/software.

CA Seals Global Protection

Agreement With i-Mate

Computer Associates International (CA) has signed an agreement with Dubai-based i-mate to protect their converged mobile devices against virus attacks. Under the agreement, all next generation i-mate PDAs and Smartphones will come pre-installed with CA’s eTrust Antivirus software.

The software will also be available for purchase from i-mate website www.clubimate.com as a download for any handheld device user running Microsoft Windows operating systems. Existing i-mate device users will have a facility to download the software from i-mate’s website at a subsidized price.

“CA’s agreement with i-mate represents a significant step forward for the global mobile communications industry, bringing enterprise-class antivirus protection to the rapidly expanding converged mobile device market,” said Gilbert Lacroix, VP and GM for CA in the Arab countries. “Just as CA has led the way in protecting IT infrastructure within corporate and small/medium-sized business environments, we anticipate a high uptake for this new initiative, especially with smart devices like i-mate phones and PDAs becoming more and more popular both for business as well as personal use.”

Jim Morrison, founder and CEO of i-mate, commented on the agreement saying: “With mobile computing becoming increasingly prevalent, today’s Smartphones and PDAs have large amounts of corporate and personal data residing in them. It becomes essential to protect our device owners from security threats including virus attacks that may render this data insecure. Partnering with CA to provide virus protection on our devices is the right approach for creating a safe operating environment for our customers.”

CA’s eTrust Antivirus software installs itself on the handheld devices and can automatically update signature files via GPRS or wireless connections. It also offers corporate users the option of being centrally managed from the corporate Antivirus server, in compliance with a company’s central security policies. Signatures updates will be made available by CA on a daily basis, backed by the 24X7 threat research team, protecting the devices from current and future virus attacks.