Middle East 5

Double bonanza for UAE media professionals at MECOM 2008

Aligned with the government’s vision to support the development of media channels and in a first of its kind step, du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE announced today two exclusive initiatives for the media. The integrated telco unveiled an educational bilingual technology handbook, ‘voice of today… language of tomorrow’, for the visiting media at MECOM 2008. The handbook, which is set to be a reference for specialized media, includes over 500 telecom and technology English and Arabic terminologies alongside their explanations, benefits and features.

The publishing of the handbook coincided with the launch of an interactive online media-dedicated platform in the Middle East exclusively for members of the ‘du media club’. The ‘du media club’ website is exclusively dedicated to foster the development of media’s knowledge of the UAE’s telecommunication industry.

Launching the two initiatives, Osman Sultan, CEO du, said: “The new initiatives underscore du’s commitment to support His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s directions and vision of providing the journalists with the best working environment to enable them to deliver their work efficiently . It is also a thank you to the media who have partnered with us since day one of our operations. We hope that the media will find both the technology handbook and media club website informative and indispensible tools in their routine work.

“Our vision is to have the du media club website recognized as the most progressive platform for media professionals. Once again we seek the support of the media in providing us their valuable feedback and make these initiatives a success.”

The first initiative –‘Voice of today … Language of tomorrow‘ - is a concise advanced dictionary explaining telecom and technology English terminologies in both English and Arabic. The 380 page handbook, that will be updated annually, will be distributed to all journalists who visit MECOM and will be available upon request to any member of the media in the future.

The du media club website is the first initiative under Phase II of the development of the du media club that was launched end of 2007. It will support the knowledge growth of the UAE media reporting on the telecommunications industry. It is an interactive website that will be a source of varied information on the telecommunications industry to du media club members.

The website also has a blog, knowledge corner, a wealth of du press releases, photo gallery, monthly competitions and an opinion corner. The website can be accessed on www.du.ae under the media centre section by members of the du media club or directly log into http://www.du.ae/en/about/media-centre.html.

More about the du media club:

Launched in December 2007, the du media club is a dedicated online platform for media professionals in the UAE. Members of UAE media – that includes print, broadcast and web but within the editorial section are welcome to become registered members of the du media club. du Media Club members receive du news before anyone else on their du mobile line. In the near future, they will also receive local and international breaking news.

Members are given strict access to the du media club website, which provides rich content on telecommunications as an industry, du news and photo gallery. They also have an inopportunity to communicate with other fellow reporters in a specially designed blog that tackles important and hot telecom issues.

About du

du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, launched mobile telecommunication services on 11 February 2007 across the UAE in addition to internet and pay TV services in

some of the free zones of Dubai. Call Select, the first of du's nationwide Fixed line services for voice telephony, was launched in July 2007.

Among du’s many firsts is its historic Number Booking Campaign for both individuals and business, Pay by the Second billing system, Mobile TV, Mobile Payments, first of its kind ‘WoW’ recharge card (which offers customers the choice between more credit and more time) and Self Care. du business offers include Closed Business User Group and preferred International Destinations.

du’s retail network, currently numbering 16 du shops located in strategic locations across all emirates, was launched on 25 February 2007, supporting the delivery of du services to customers.

du is 40 percent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 20 percent by Mubadala Development Company, 20 percent by TECOM Investments and 20 percent by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades under the name du.

du was recognised as the ‘Best Brand’ for its innovative branding and outstanding success at the Telecom World Awards Middle East 2007.

www.du.ae


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