STC readies networks for Haj

Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) has announced full technical promptness of its networks for the current Haj season. STC Group CEO for technical operations Ziad Al-Otaib previewed the network promptness in Makkah, including Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat, along with Bandar Alqafari, vice president for network sector. The visit included the expansion works, special solutions, the protection systems, and international and interlinking expansions. The company's executives inspected the current network designs, adjacent to the huge construction works currently being executed, which required rebuilding, designing and adding new stations and additional capacities, to secure excellent service performance. In addition to internal solutions offered during the season, sites inside the Holy Mosque alongside the expansions, new towers and hotels, Jamrat bridge and tunnels, hospitals, stations and railway tracks between Mina to Arafat through Muzdalifah have been equipped with high capacity internal solutions, distributed by Fiber Optics systems and supported with hundreds of fixed and mobile stations that support advanced 2G and 3G networks HSPA+. They will contribute to the smoothness of communication traffic during rush hours, along with DSL, VDSL and FTTX services' networks, facilitating easy communication at residential areas, accommodations and hotels, governmental sectors, and buildings and towers surrounding the Holy Mosque. Al-Otaibi inspected all of the company's installations and networks for communication.
 
Mobily, Smart World to provide support

Smartworld, the next generation Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services provider in the Middle East, announced that it has signed a channel partner agreement with Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) to provide desktop management and support services as part of Mobily's “Office In A Box Service” for its small and medium enterprises (SME) in Saudi Arabia by offering them the latest in communication technology from around the world. Smartworld's Chairman Abdullah Hashim and Marwan Al-Ahmadi, Mobily's CBO, signed the agreement earlier this month in Riyadh. As part of this agreement, Mobily will offer Smartworld's Managed and Technical Services to its SME customers in the Kingdom. The services will come in innovative bundle offers that will be announced later. Hashim said: "Evidently this is a very significant deal for Smartworld and its shareholders. The company has also managed to break into the most lucrative ICT market of the region and has differentiated itself from local Saudi ICT players." Al-Ahmadi said: "Our continuous efforts to provide highly reliable and advanced solutions for the business sector, and solutions which provide a more flexible working environment, have facilitated this partnership with Smartworld. These services will help complete tasks in the least time and effort with less operational costs. Mobily owns an advanced infrastructure, which will enable it to contribute and provide all the telecommunications services required for the business sector."
 
Hyundai supports AFC Champions League final

It was a distinctive sporty night for the crowd who watched the final match of AFC Champions League 2011 between Al-Ittihad and Jeonpk Hyundai Motors-South Korea at the Campioni cafe in Jeddah recently, with exclusive sponsorship from Hyundai in addition to MBC FM as a media sponsor and the new Davidoff Champion Energy perfume. Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Motors (MYNM), Hyundai's sole dealer in the Kingdom, supported this great event by setting up two huge stands for the latest Hyundai Genesis before the start of the match at Jeddah Campioni Cafe. Wael Bakri, MYNM's marketing GM, said: "Hyundai had taken into consideration that the design must meet youth's modern requirements in terms of elegance of design and quality in addition to durability and strength of performance in the most difficult circumstances, as equipped with the latest global navigation devices. With the tangible change that Hyundai has and which is very clear in designs of new models, it was an obligation for us to be in tune with this change in our marketing tools and in line with manufacturer's strategies to support sports, activities sectors and soccer international championships such as World Cup, European Cup and many other international tournaments. In fact, Jeonpk Hyundai Motors-South Korea represents the company and Al-Itihad represents or country so we intended through our sponsorship to make a balance through the "sporty challenge" between the two teams." More than 200 fans attended the event.
 
Rotana Jet to unveil newest aircraft

Rotana Jet Aviation, one of the region's newest aviation services companies, is set to unveil its newest aircraft in line with this year's Dubai Air Show to be held between Nov. 13-17 at the Dubai Airport Expo. The company, which provides a full range of executive jet services including charter options, aircraft management, consultation, new and pre-owned jet sales, and maintenance, is already successfully operating a Gulfstream G450 from its main base at Al-Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi. Executive aviation has emerged as a key growth area in the Middle East's transport sector, and has favored strongly compared with the Europe and US during the economic downturn. There are over 400 business jets operating within the region. Rotana Jet is keen to add further aircraft to its fleet and build upon its strong position in this dynamic market. "Rotana Jet took to the skies in early 2011 and we have already operated a host of successful flights on our Gulfstream G450. We have a luxury 50-seater A319LR VIP Airbus joining our fleet in mid-2012 and other aircraft currently being discussed and contracted," says James Coak, Rotana Jet's Commercial Manager. Rotana Jet focuses its services around "The Flight Experience." This in simple terms means that it focuses on its Clients. "A personal Account Manager follows-up with our Clients and arranges the specifics of the journey. Clients will be asked about their individual requirements, such as schedule, limousine pick-ups and drop-offs, cuisine options, beverages, reading materials, entertainment, communication or religious sensitivities. We are setting new standards when it comes to service." Coak added.
 
Accenture, Al-Faisaliah finalize JV

Accenture and Al-Faisaliah Group have completed the formation of a joint venture (JV) aimed at strengthening their IT capabilities in the Middle East. Accenture has now acquired a majority stake in Al-Faisaliah Business & Technology Company (FBTC), a subsidiary of the Saudi Arabia-based Al-Faisaliah Group. Plans to establish the JV were first announced on June 7. The JV combines FBTC's enterprise architecture, systems implementation and technology consulting skills, with Accenture's broad management consulting, technology and outsourcing experience, industry depth, focus on innovation and global delivery capabilities. As a result, Accenture will be able to provide a comprehensive set of IT services and delivery capabilities to clients in Saudi Arabia while implementing its global best practices and cutting edge technology solutions in that market. FBTC will be renamed Accenture and will become part of the Accenture global network. "Establishing the joint venture is an important step to enhancing our capabilities and positioning Accenture as a leading technology services provider in Saudi Arabia," said Omar Boulos, MD, Accenture in the Middle East. "We will now turn our focus to supporting the business goals of our clients and addressing the growing needs of companies in the market."