RIYADH, 19 November 2007 — Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) will allow its network to be shared by Zain Group, formerly known as the MTC Group, which was awarded the third mobile telecommunications license for 25 years in Saudi Arabia following its SR22.91billion ($6.109 billion) bid.
“We have agreed to share our network with Zain since this is a large market where assistance from an existing network should support a new operator,” David Murphy, chief marketing officer of Mobily, said in an exclusive interview with Arab News. He added that Mobily likes to work with Zain and help them in their maiden venture in the Kingdom.
Ruling out problems for Mobily due to the entry of a third mobile operator in the Kingdom, Murphy said the Kingdom is a vast market where the new operator could tap virgin areas to develop their business. He also pointed out that there won’t be a price war but each operator would try to give valued-added services to their customers. “We will not step on to each other but we will endeavor to offer additional services to attract our customers.” Regarding tariffs, he said: “ None of us wants to see prices dropping in the future. We cannot reduce the price anymore since we are coming to the close of the cost,” he said.
On the recently launched Mobily Connect router, he said the router can be managed through a web interface that can be accessed from any computer that is connected to the router via one of the four LAN ports or through WiFi. The router can be laid flat on a table, tilted or wall mounted. The router has a high gain antenna, making it ideal for indoor installations.
The router can also be used as USB modem, with full phonebook and SMS sending functionality with power being fed to the device from a PC USB port, as opposed to an external power supply.
“All you need is the MobilyConnect router and data SIM card, five minutes later you have broadband Internet service for almost three dozen users,” Murphy said.
“When we launched the MobilyConnect in May and its elder brother the MobilyConnect USB, we wanted to put broadband Internet in the pockets of users, with the MobilyConnect router, we can now deliver Internet right into the living room of those users,” he added.
Mobily claims over 30,000 broadband Internet users. “There is tremendous pen-up demand for broadband Internet services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Murphy said. “As part of our commitment to addressing broadband Internet needs, we want to address that demand in a timely manner,” he added, saying that he wanted people seeking broadband Internet service to drive home and start surfing.
Each MobilyConnect subscriber will benefit from a state-of-the-art e-mail service, as he will be entitled for two accounts with 1GB inbox size each. “ MobilyConnect offers its users a convenience that was never before experienced in the Kingdom, with its easy to use Plug&Play USB modem that allows new users to connect in minutes.”
In September, Mobily made a strategic move toward expanding its Internet broadband service and signed a memorandum of understanding with Bayanat Al-Oula to acquire the data communication operator’s shares for SR1.5 billion.
Detailing the new services introduced during the course of the past few weeks, Murphy said that the Mother Zone service is fast catching up. “ It is a new service which offers substantial discount on call rates when the subscriber makes his calls from a Mother Zone — a particular area — home, office or a convenient location, designated by the subscriber.
Another service is that a subscriber can view 14 TV channels, including CNN, in his mobile at a payment of a nominal monthly subscription of SR50.
The first phase of the second expansion of its 3.5G network across Saudi Arabia in order to keep pace with the latest 3.5G technologies and expand its network to reach new cities and provinces. According to the GSM Association, Mobily is the leading operator for 3G and 3.5G service in the Middle East and North Africa region, and through this expansion it seeks to strengthen its position in providing 3G services.
Mobily has already allocated nearly SR1 billion for the second expansion plan that started recently in collaboration with three international companies — Ericson from Sweden, Nokia from Finland and Huawei from China.
Mobily was the first operator to get a 3G license and launch the technology in the Kingdom. Since mid 2006, the company has built the largest 3G network in the region, attracting more than two million subscribers in different 3G services. Also, six months ago, it launched a new mobile Internet facility through HSDPA for the first time in the Kingdom, with different virtual speeds, to the Kingdom.
The company also assured that it refuses any questioning about its credibility in dealing with its subscribers, and promises to always present them with the latest technologies and best coverage qualities, and emphasizing that other companies followed in Mobily’s steps although they questioned the service quality at first.
On the other hand, Mobily and American company (T-Mobile) recently signed an agreement in order to activate MMS messages from Saudi Arabia to the United states and vice versa. This convention will allow subscribers to send pictures, videos and audio files up to 400Kbps.
Murphy, who said that his company currently enjoys 20 percent of the market share, predicted that there is a good scope for mobile phone service in the business segment in the Kingdom.