JEDDAH, 31 December 2005 — Mobile operator Mobily announced yesterday it had stopped users from text-message voting for the popular Arab reality show “Star Academy” last week, adding that it had no plan to lift the ban as long as the program continues.
“The decision was taken last week and we are not thinking of lifting the ban as long as the program is aired,” said Hamoud Al-Ghobaini, corporate communications manager. He denied reports that the company had decided to unblock the ability for Saudis to vote for their favorite contestants
“We have announced officially on all Arabic newspapers last week the short code was banned since the program is culturally inappropriate,” he said in a statement.
The reality show entered its third season last week with two 21-year-old Saudi men among the 19 contestants from around the Arab world who will share a house 24 hours a day in a bid to win a recording contract.
Mobily has launched a new service called Rahal for pilgrims. Rahal SIMs are available for SR50. Clients can make calls worth SR50 using these chips at the rate of 50 halalas per minute for calls within the Kingdom. The chips are available at airports and other entry points in addition to sales outlets in Makkah and other holy sites.
