Arab Mobile Communication Studies

Postpaid call facility for Al Wasel users

95% UAE residents own mobile phones

The service is part of a customer "wish list" derived from an indepth survey which the Dubai eGovernment is trying to fulfil, said Salem Al Shair, eServices director, at the press launch of the service.

Any mobile phone set or PDA can be used to access the service provided they are web enabled through Etisalat, for which there is a one-time fee.

There are no monthly service charges, but users must pay the normal connection fee when they log on to the portal, either through the web network or the recommended GPRS. Accessing the services at the WiFi hotspots in Dubai is free.

"The launch of a mobile portal was imperative considering the major increase in mobile penetration in Dubai and, more importantly, taking into account the increase in the number of people who are constantly on the move and dependent on their mobile phones for accessing information," said Al Shair.

Six categories of services can be accessed through the mobile portal such as traffic information, Islamic, financial, travel booking, Dubai information and entertainment.

Some of the services available are visa information from the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department, prayer timings from the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Awqaf and services from Dubai Police such as traffic fine enquiries and payments.

In addition, users can make Emirates airline online flight bookings, check the arrival and departure of flights from the Dubai Civil Aviation Department.

There are about 200,000 GPRS subscribers in the UAE of whom about 150,000 have PDAs or smart phones, Al Shair said.

IT partners in this venture are Ducont and Sybase.

Users of the portal can search for hotels, products in specific malls, and be informed about sales and promotions taking place around Dubai, obtain updates on the latest movies, get the weekly television schedule for One TV, locate a nearby embassy or consulate, use the currency converter service, as well as access information from the Dubai Financial Market in the form of mobile quotes and live quotes.

Doing business while on the move

• Users who want to utilise the eServices can log on to the Dubai eGovernment portal www.dubai.ae.
• Its technology allows mobile device users browsing these services to access the specifically-designed mobile portal, whereas those who log on to the portal via PCs will have access only to the main Dubai eGovernment portal.