08 | EDITOR'S NOTE Editorial
09 | READER'S RESPONSE Letters to the Editor
TELEPEDIA 10 13 14 15 16 18 20 22 29 30 32 36 38 41 48 54 55 58 59
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NA passes Fair Trial Bill to hammer telecom sector Etisalat Group CEO calls on Prime Minister Auction of 3G spectrum Mobilink provides school bags to deprived children Zong excels despite odds Over 1bn SMS sent on New Year in Pakistan Mobile phone usage patterns in Pakistan Celcos working on new channels for mobile SIM selling Wateen sponsors Digital Marketing Conference Mobile phone a new advertising medium NAFA customer contact centre delivering Tech geeks who left us in 2012 PTA Chairman fired, 3G? Samsung displaces Nokia as top cellphone brand in 2012 2013: the top ten phones Europe falling behind US in telecoms: CEO Telenor Etisalat Group CEO elected to GSMA Board Nokia provides pain not relief Smart sensors to build clever machines
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COVER STORY 26 | Why no PayPal in Pakistan?
INSIGHT 17 40 42 43 44 46 47 50 51 52 53 61 62
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SBP stresses banks, celcos to promote branchless banking Online marriages fever grips Pakistan Who invented the USB flash drive? Social Media optimization How the tablet market evolved in 2012 Best iOS and Android games of 2012 Cybercriminals are new-age businessmen Cyber security: paradigm shift US unveils new rules to protect kids online Reasons top talent will leave you China toughens restrictions on Internet use New trending: Tech gadgets to look forward PTA inefficient regulator: NA body
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Wateen sponsors Digital Marketing Conference
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EVENTS 24 | Wateen hosts dinner in honour of WiMAX President 34 | Diamond Paints becomes BoP Polo Champion 46 | Zainab Special Children School Annual Prize distribution ceremony
MOSAIC 56 | International
NEWS
Online marriages fever 40 grips Pakistan
Diamond Paints becomes BoP Polo Champion
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Zainab Special Children School Annual Prize distribution ceremony
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63 | National News 73 | International News
TECH TOOLS 77 78 80 84 86 87 88 89 90 92
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CES 2013
January 15 - February 15, 2013
Editor s No t e E-Shopping a dilemma in Pakistan
Today, science and technology get infinite success, every now and then new inventions and mind boggling technology emerges, the multi-facet gadgets bring ease and comfort to mankind. Internet and social media made this divine world a ‘global village’, where one can connect and communicate with people living in either side across the globe. Electronic commerce or e-Shopping is one of the many advantages this fascinating broadband is providing; eCommerce, is the buying and selling of product or service over electronic systems such as the Internet and other computer networks. E-Commerce draws on such technologies as mobile commerce, electronic funds transfer, supply chain management, Internet marketing, online transaction processing, electronic data interchange (EDI), inventory management systems, and automated data collection systems. Modern e-Commerce typically uses the World Wide Web in the transaction's life-cycle, although it may encompass a wider range of technologies such as e-mail, mobile devices social media, and telephones as well. In this e-connected world, e-Shopping and fund transfer become the easiest thing to do; one aspect is buying and selling, other is online-jobs also known as home-jobs; we can buy anything we love to, can earn millions, it provides jobs to a large number of talented and educated class without a physical office- courtesy to the fascinating advance technologies. We are living in a world, where everything is only a ‘click’ away; you can shop online, pay online, earn online, even you can be cured online. Even though online shopping and e-Commerce has gained extraordinary popularity in many countries, we have still not seen the best this industry has to offer in Pakistan; lack of Credit Card use and the inability of government, who failed to attract international online payment services providing companies and lack of trust in online shopping, these are the issues, why onlineshopping practice is lowest in Pakistan. PayPal is the king amongst various other online payment services providing companies in the world. Why PayPal is not available in Pakistan? Is PayPal not interested in 200 million market? No, PayPal has tried to kickoff its operations many times but it’s our government’s inability, which even don’t know, what PayPal is? They continuously ignoring it, but they don’t know by ignoring PayPal, who are they depriving? PayPal? No, the whole Pakistani nation is being deprived. The government, State Bank of Pakistan and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority should have to mingle together and devise business friendly regulations to attract big firms; this will not only benefit our online shoppers but will contribute to public kitty in collecting taxes; this will also enable overseas Pakistanis to transfer their hard-earn money to their dear ones safely and timely. 8
Zubair Ahmed Kasuri
Editor
Irfan Khan Ismail Qureshi
Assistant Editor Senior Sub-Editor
Usman Yaqoob Director Marketing (Lhr)
Zafar Khan Afridi Senior Graphic Designer M. Naeem Mughal Graphic Designer Azhar Javed General Manager Legal Penal: Sardar Fakhir Ahmed Advocate Rana Naveed Ahmed Joya Advocate Lahore Office 46J-Gulberg III, Lahore-Pakistan. Ph: +92-42-35555511 | 35880183 | 32112352 Fax: +92-42-35880183 Islamabad Office Phone: +92-51-3000012 | 2254548 Kasur Office Phone: +92-49-2723099 | 0608-600000 Karachi Office 14 Star Marketing & Production 32-1-C-1/6, Block 6 PECHS Main Shahrah-e-Faisal. Tel: 021 343117813 | 34228885 Registration No PCPB/105 (Vol. 9 Issue:04) Price Rs: 400 URL: www.flare.pk Email: flare.mag@gmail.com Colour Sepration: Fotoscan Process, 25-C Lower Mall, Lahore. Ph: 042-37111906, 37234042.
Zubair Ahmed Kasuri, (Editor-in-Chief) publisher of FLARE leading telecom magazine, printed it from Qasim Naeem Art Press, Near Bank Road, Main Bund Road, Lahore and published from 46J, Gulberg III, Lahore.
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he National Assembly unanimously passed the Investigation for Fair Trial Bill, 2012, which provides for the agencies to tap phone calls and monitor emails as part of the collection of evidence through techniques and devices. It envisaged that electronic material and the data of phone calls could be presented in a court as evidence. The House adopted 30 out of 32 amendments in the bill moved by the PML-N members. Federal Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Farooq H Naek tabled the bill. In addition to the use of modern technology, the bill will also regulate the powers of the enforcement and intelligence agencies. After the passage of the bill, all the law enforcement and intelligence agencies will be governed by a uniform legal system for collection of evidence‚ which will be admissible even if collected prior to the registration of FIR. This would provide a legal framework to the agencies to lawfully conduct surveillance of an individual who is suspected of being involved in an act of crime or terror. The Fair Trial Bill 2012 provides the law enforcing agencies with access to email, spying and secret phone records of suspects. Speaking in the National Assembly after the passage of the bill, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf appreciated the House for passing it unanimously. He said the approval of the bill was a message to the terrorists that they would not be tolerated any more. He assured that the bill would not affect the lives of the general public, as it was parliament’s duty to make necessary amendments in laws. He asked, “Which society allows the disturbing of its anti-polio vaccination drive?” The prime minister lauded the sacrifices of the security forces in the fight against terrorism and said they always confronted challenges with courage and resilience. He said that the nation stood behind the security forces in this fight. He said, “It is a common commitment that terrorists will not be allowed to distort the image of Pakistan.” He said the country was in the grip of terrorism and the bill passed by the House was aimed at defeating them. He said the passage of the Bill conveyed a message to the international community that Pakistan, by strengthening its security forces, wanted to combat the menace of terrorism. He said the legislation also gave a clear message to the terrorists that the whole nation was united against them. Defence Minister Syed Naveed Qamar said this legislation was required to bring to justice the terrorists who often got released due to lack of evidences. He said that an effort has been made to ensure nobody could misuse this law. Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said, “Keeping in view the current security situation in the country‚ we are supporting the objectives of the bill.” The opposition leader, however, said the bill was not ideal. “It should have been more transparent,” he said. The House adopted an amendment of the PML-N deleting the name of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from the list of agencies which would be able to monitor email, SMS, Internet Protocol Detail Record (IDPR), Call Detail Record (CDR) and any other form of computerbased or cell phone-based communication. “The FIA does not enjoy a good reputation and there are many applications against the agency in Karachi,” Anusha Rehman, moving the amendment, said.
NA passes Fair Trial Bill to hammer telecom sector All the law enforcement and intelligence agencies will be governed by a uniform legal system for collection of evidence‚ which will be admissible even if collected prior to the registration of a FIR
The bill on becoming an Act of the Parliament would enable the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and police to use modern techniques to investigate scheduled offences and terrorists. According to another amendment, an officer of the intelligence or law
This would provide a legal framework to the agencies to lawfully conduct surveillance of an individual who is suspected of being involved in an act of crime or terror. The Fair Trial Bill 2012 provides the law enforcing agencies with access to email, spying and secret phone records of suspects
enforcement agency shall present a report to the Interior Minister for permission to apply to a judge for the issuance of warrant, surveillance or interception of communication of a suspect. Another amendment says any officer misusing the
Act would be punishable for three years imprisonment. The government, however, opposed an amendment stating that the Act should be reviewed by the then government after one year. Soon after the chairperson of the standing committee concerned laid the report of the committee about the bill in the House, the law minister sought a relaxation of rules to move the bill for its passage. This bill will render necessary assistance in the successful prosecution of perpetrators of heinous crimes. After coming into effect, the law will prevent the arbitrary use and abuse of interception powers, particularly by the intelligence agencies, and force them to abide by the law. It would also encourage all the investigating intelligence agencies to only collect genuine evidence in accordance with the law and curb the temptation of planting false and fabricated evidence against individuals in violation of their human rights and civil liberties. Any person residing abroad, liable for investigation under the provisions of this Act for a scheduled offence, shall be dealt with according to the provisions of this Act in the same manner as if such an offence had been committed within Pakistan. n
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There is also no explanation available as to why despite a lapse of three months neither the Ministry of Information Technology nor PTA could sign an agreement with the Google/YouTube administration to get such sites blocked in Pakistan nor a f iltration system could be installed despite the directive issued in May 2012
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n a curious turn of events, Pakistan lifted the 103-day ban on YouTube on Saturday, December 29 only to impose it again within a couple of hours as some television channels began reporting that the blasphemous content — which had invited the proscription in the first place — was still available on the video-sharing website. The government had announced the unblocking of YouTube on Friday but as soon as the website was unblocked the blasphemous film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ was found available on the internet by Pakistani users. Sources said the prime minister issued the orders to re-block YouTube, fearing that continuous access to the antiIslam film would again trigger protests and demonstrations, which in the past had turned extremely violent. However, he avoided initiating an inquiry to find out who had pressed for the unblocking of YouTube despite the reservations of the intelligence agencies and without ensuring complete blocking of the blasphemous material. There is also no explanation available as to why despite a lapse of three months neither the Ministry of Information Technology nor PTA could sign an
agreement with the Google/YouTube administration to get such sites blocked in Pakistan nor a filtration system could be installed despite a directive issued in May this year. The PTA and other relevant agencies had recommended a few months back to the prime minister as well as the Supreme Court of Pakistan to completely block YouTube to prevent access from Pakistan to the anti-Islam blasphemous film available on the internet. While countries like India and Indonesia have successfully got such blasphemous sites blocked through the intervention of the Google/YouTube administration, Pakistan was helpless because of the incompetence of the IT authorities as it had neither any such agreement with Google nor had the filtering system installed to block blasphemous and pornographic sites. It was unanimously recommended that as a short-term measure YouTube should be blocked altogether and with immediate effect. The long-term solution, it was discussed, was to enter into an agreement with Google (which owns YouTube) which enables the signatory state to get any such sites blocked from the Google. In the absence of any such treaty with Pakistan, Google despite earning a huge profit from Pakistani internet users has not been there to cooperate with the local authorities. Google earns billions but the inability of Pakistani government is, it even couldn’t bring the tech giant into tax circle like we couldn’t tax NATO but the poor Pakistani people are being
pressed under high taxes even if they import an ambulance for charity, or operating a normal website. The government a few months back had realised that an agreement with the Google administration was direly needed, but despite the lapse of three months it has failed to enter into such an agreement. A PTA official, when approached, said that during these three months the authority has been getting the objectionable sites blocked on the basis of complaints. The official admitted that this blocking system does not work as the blasphemous material is uploaded on other sites. It is also said that Pakistan does not have any filtering system installed as in countries like China, Saudi Arabia and Iran. In addition to the much needed agreement with the Google administration, it is said that the installation of a filter system is a must to block blasphemous and obscene sites. Interestingly, the incumbent prime minister had issued the directive to PTA in May last year, when he was IT minister, to immediately get the filtration system installed. However, it has not been done as yet despite the lapse of seven months and in spite of the fact that the then IT minister has become the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the then IT secretary has become the chairman PTA. Without doing the homework, the PTA through its assistant director enforcement on Saturday, December 29, afternoon at 2:26pm issued the following order to all internet service providers: “You are requested to immediately unblock/restore complete “YouTube” website provisionally till further orders. Please submit compliance through return email by 15:00 hours today.” But within hours of the restoration of YouTube, it was found that the blasphemous American film was also available, which the prime minister passed an immediate direction to re-block YouTube forthwith. Consequently, the PTA issued fresh directions to all internet service providers at 4:51pm and conveyed the following: “In pursuance of withdrawal of earlier MoIT directive of opening of YouTube website, you all are now requested to block complete “YouTube” website immediately in Pakistan from all possible routes. The website will remain blocked till further orders. Moreover, you are also requested to block the particular IPs of following versions of YouTube without disrupting the non-YouTube traffic. https://www.youtube.com/ and https://m.youtube.com. Please submit compliance through return email before 17:30 hours today i.e. 29th December 2012.”
Google earns billions but the inability of Pakistani government is, it even couldn’t bring the tech giant into tax circle like we couldn’t tax NATO but the poor Pakistani people are being pressed under high taxes even if they import an ambulance for charity, or operating a normal website Who is behind this mess and who got the YouTube unblocked prematurely, and what punishment he deserves, is now for the prime minister to figure out and decide. But the confusion and bad governance continues. The swift reaction drew more criticism from politicians, media and bloggers with some calling the whole episode “idiotic”. n
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Etisalat Group CEO calls on Prime Minister
Etisalat Group CEO Abdulkarim Ahmad Julfar said that Etisalat was a leading telecom operator globally and had a potential to invest considerably in the telecom sector of Pakistan
rime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has said both Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) enjoy excellent brotherly relations which have been further strengthened by economic cooperation. The Prime Minister expressed these views while talking to a delegation of Etisalat, which led by its Chief Executive Officer, Abdulkarim Ahmad Julfar called on him here at the PM House. The Prime Minister said that the auction of 3G spectrum technology would increase the broadband connectivity in the country. While encouraging Etisalat representatives to participate in the bidding process, the Prime Minister said, "We are very keen to see Etisalat participating in the auction of 3G License Spectrum." The Prime Minister pointed out that the government had recently formed an oversight com-
considerably in the Telecom sector of Pakistan. He further said that he saw Pakistan as a huge market. Etisalat, the CEO said, would like to improve the quality of broadband in Pakistan and informed the Prime Minister that his company intends to enhance its operations in the country. The Prime Minister pointed out that there were some pending issues regarding the sale of PTCL to Etisalaat. He suggested that Etisalaat should nominate a team which should sit with the representatives of the government of Pakistan to resolve issues within a specified time frame so that they can move forward. The Prime Minister assured the Chief Executive Officer of Etisalaat that government of Pakistan as part of its policy to encourage foreign investment will extend all possible assistance to Etisalat.
ister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister of State and Chairman Board of Investment Salim H. Mandviwala and other senior officials of the government. Meanwhile, A delegation of Etisalat group,headed by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdulkarim Julfar met with Interior Minister A Rehman Malik and thanked him for providing security to towers of Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation Limited (PTCL). Chairman Etisalat group Abdul Rahim A. Al Nooryani, and President Etisalat Group Walid Irshaid, and Additional Secretary Ministry of Interior Shahid Hamid. Etisalat delegation said the group was investing in the country due to congenial atmosphere in the country. Interior Minister A Rehman Malik said Pak-
mittee comprising people with impeccable integrity and repute to ensure transparency and fairness in the auction process. Etisalat Chief Executive Officer, Abdulkarim Ahmad Julfar, said that Etisalat was a leading telecom operator globally and had a potential to invest
The CEO of Etisalat said that the expansion of broadband was a key to development in the country and his company would be ready to invest in the telecom sector so that Pakistan could benefit in the process. Those who attended the meeting included Min-
istan values its relations with United Arab Emirates (UAE). Efforts were underway to further cement bilateral relations. He said Pakistan was the best country for foreign direct investment. Investors are being provided complete security in the country. n
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Auction of 3G spectrum
Hidden powers want to sabotage the process
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Our country is still suffering the revenue of $75 million due to unlikely delays of 3G auction process, only hurdle free process will mature the deal and we will able to offer auction to all telecoms operators like Warid, Mobilink, Zong, Telenor and Ufone
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elecom Ministry informed Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf that some elements are striving to sabotage the 3G auction process and trying to create hurdles on 3rd generation (3G) processes to issue licence and if immediately Prime Minister does not intervenes the matter so fear seems to make the process further delayed. Ministry already told the PM regarding the hiring of consultants for the auction of 3G spectrums and already gained their recommendations according to the advice of Transparency International, but undue influence of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is the question mark against 3G auction processes. As we know 3G process has already been delayed and postponed twice a time during the time of last one year and recently some hidden powers are again active to damage the process, Dr. Basit told some elements are deliberately figuring out against the hiring of 3G consultants and trying to make it controversial. In fact the recent appointment of consultants Dr Rob Nicholls, Dennis Ward and Martin Sims were hired because of their rich experience in the auction of 3G spectrum, but objection is raised that PTA didn’t follow the rules of Procurement Regulatory Authority rules in the time of hiring the consultants. Dr. Basit said that NAB has no authority to monetize the matter while we have already signed the agreement with Transparency International and there is no question now to raise the figure about the 3G auction process. Our country is still suffering the revenue of $75 million due to unlikely delays of 3G auction process, only hurdle free process will mature the deal and we will able to offer auction to all telecoms operators
like Warid, Mobilink, Zong, Telenor and Ufone in very next month to participate the bid. The 3G represents a spectrum allowing higher speeds of data transmission. The 3G spectrum is a latest technology in cell phone service that provides facilities of mobile TV, video-conferencing, telemedicine, location-based services and video on demand. The 3G licencing has been successfully carried out in most of the neighboring countries, including India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. On the other hand, The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) under its prevention regime has found hiring of consultants for 3G/4G Spectrum auction not in line with PPRA rules.
The NAB under its prevention efforts is endeavoring to bring transparency and fair play in tendering process of the projects, auction and procurements in close coordination with the regulators. NAB was of the opinion that exercise is aimed at strengthening the regulatory mechanism in the country at large
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has hired the three consultants on hefty salaries ($700,000, about Rs70m) is in violation of the PPRA rules and without the knowledge of the authority.
The NAB has taken a notice on a scam after appearing in leading English newspaper recently on the issue of auction of 3g Spectrum and as well as regarding the controversial appointment of chairman PTA, the removal of the CEO Universal Service Fund and his replacement by the son of top most rulers and the appointment of the member law in the ministry of information technology. The NAB has advised PTA to ensure adherence of PPRA rules and asked for confirmation. In a letter to secretary ministry of information technology, the NAB Spokesman Zafar Iqbal said the NAB has asked for detailed presentation to the chairman NAB on the issues of tax evasion, SMS GST evasion, Universal Services Fund, E-Governance and Auction of Broadband frequency. The NAB has identified tax evasion by the cellular companies because of absence of forensic auditing and facility of interlinking exchanges. The bureau has also asked ministry of information technology to clarify violation of the rules by the cellular companies for charging 19.5 percent SMS GST. The NAB under its prevention efforts is endeavoring to bring transparency and fair play in tendering process of the projects, auction and procurements in close coordination with the regulators. The NAB was of the opinion that exercise is aimed at strengthening the regulatory mechanism in the country at large. It is to be mentioned here that the Prevention and Awareness regime of the NAB while taking a suo moto notice of 3G PTA scam has summoned the top officials of the ministry of information technology, PTA and all the relevant stake holders and get a briefing on the issue. n
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obilink is Pakistan’s leading provider of voice and data services, with more than 36 million subscribers, maintaining market leadership through cutting-edge, integrated technology, the strongest brands and the largest portfolio of value added services in the industry, a broadband carrier division providing next generation internet technology as well as the country’s largest voice and data network covering more than 20,000 locations. Housing an unparalleled 6,500 kilometers fiber optic backbone, Mobilink has already invested over $3.9 billion in the country to date and provides uninterrupted countrywide connectivity, unmatched customer services and international roaming in over 140 countries. Mobilink recognizes that an educated, healthy society that is socially inclusive is the nation's key to ensuring sustainable development. The company’s
might leave you smiling, or compel you to think about an important message or at times leave you thinking “how did the installation guys manage to get up there?” Yet, what happens to these billboards when a particular marketing campaign is over - is a question we never give much thought to. Destined for landfills, thousands of square kilometers of billboard skins made out of non-biodegradable plastic materials are left to rot in landfills or are burnt and release toxic fumes into the air we breathe. In the spirit of being an innovative and responsible corporation, Mobilink, is trying to save these sheets of plastic from ending up in landfills by turning them into school bags for underprivileged children. Once Mobilink billboards have been taken down, they are taken to a manufacturing facility in Lahore (which was set up with the help of Mobilink) where the skins are cleaned, cut and turned into school bags.
terials are then sent for stitching. For stitching, Mobilink has chosen to empower marginalized women by providing them employment opportunities. These women collect the bags and stitch them in the safety and security of their homes, and collecting the wages upon returning the finished goods. Generally, an average school bag costs around Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 in Pakistan. According to some estimates, for an average Pakistani, this is the cost of one week’s food for a family of seven. In a country where majority of the people live well below the poverty line, for those who somehow manage to send their children to government or NGO run schools this is a heavy additional cost; many send the children to school with their books in hand. The bags, made from recycled materials, only incur labor costs to the company that has a weekly
Corporate Social Responsibility vision goes beyond philanthropy and donations and covers the areas of basic health, education, environment and emergency response through its community service endeavors. Examples of Mobilink’s corporate responsibility can be found in its enduring CR efforts over the years in the areas of disaster relief, education, environment, health and the empowerment of the underprivileged. The Recycled Schoolbags Initiative for Underprivileged Children is one such project that captures the essence of Mobilink’s efforts. Recycling for education: Outdoor advertising is critical to promote a brand or product; colorful, larger than life and intriguing billboards dot the Pakistani landscape and provide information and interesting diversions during traffic jams. These billboards
Manufacturing process: The whole process of manufacturing starts off with the collection of discarded billboards skin. For this, Mobilink’s own advertisement billboard skins are used. As a company that markets its products heavily and frequently through outdoor advertising, there is always a steady supply of panaflex (flex sheet). Normally, the skins would be discarded and adds up to the waste, posing as a harmful threat to the environment. Therefore, Mobilink reuses the disposed-off billboard skins to find a small but powerful way of protecting the environment. The skins are washed thoroughly to remove all traces of ink. The material is then handed over to skilled workers who cut the flex sheet into the standard school bag designed to carry books. The cut ma-
production capacity of around 5000 bags and hence are much cheaper to manufacture. Mobilink provides these bags to the children free of cost. Since the launch of the Recycled Schoolbags initiative back in 2007, Mobilink has donated over 40,000 school bags made from recycled advertising skins to leading local NGOs such as CARE Foundation, Zindagi Trust, JAQ Trust and various other schools with a known track record of working in the field of literacy. The Mobilink CSR team actively seeks out and supports schools that specifically provide educational opportunities to those children who cannot pay heavy school fees, afford books or other educational expenses to ensure that the most deserving are reached through this endeavor. n
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he country’s telecommunication market is one of the most underdeveloped in Asia Pacific, revealed a report published by Business Monitor International. It added that at the end of 2011, Pakistan had the region’s second lowest mobile penetration which leaves Pakistan with significant room for growth. However, Executive Director Commercial of Zong, Usman Ishaq, was of the view that telecom industry has emerged as the fastest growing industry in Pakistan during past few years. There are several companies which are catering to the needs of cell phone users and some of them have been in the market for quite sometime. But what noteworthy is the fact that among all these players, the latest entrant in the market has grabbed a significant share in a very short span, he claimed. He said that an international brand of China Mobile (Zong), holds 15.4 per cent of the market share which is growing every day. During the year 2012 alone, the telecom giant added more than 4
Zong is focusing on solar-powered cell sites to overcome energy crisis, currently, we have the largest solar-powered network in Pakistan. More than 400 cell sites are installed at different locations. We transferred about 70 to 80 sites on this technology. It saves us between 42-45 per cent in energy consumption, adds Usman
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Zong excels despite odds
China Mobile Pakistan holds 15.4 per cent of the market share which is growing every day. During the year 2012 alone, the telecom giant added more than 4 million subscribers to its base thus reaching around 19 million total subscribers; our company managed to boost its growth to 34.1 per cent during 2012, says Usman Ishaq, Executive Director Commercial, Zong
million subscribers to its base thus reaching around 19 million total subscribers. “While mobile subscriber numbers were growing modestly at around 10 per cent annually, our company managed to boost its growth to 34.1 per cent during 2012” said Usman. He added that his team has already worked on the 2013 growth plans which will surely take the telecom sector by storm. He added by saying that we will keep our aim in 2013 to increase our scale,
praised, “Currently, we have the largest solarpowered telecommunication network in Pakistan. More than 400 cell sites are installed at different locations.”
Among the five mobile operators who are competing vigorously for a share of the subscriber base and the revenue, each claiming a healthy share of the market. Zong has claimed up
simultaneously providing our customer to enjoy value for money and range of innovative product line. “Our new year resolution is to continue our legacy in providing outstanding coverage, top notch services and valuable products”. The cellular company is focusing on the development of more solar-powered cell sites to overcome energy crisis of the country. He ap-
The telecom company has also launched on one of the sites that will run on biogas and has introduced the multicarrier power amplifier, which helps in increasing its energy efficiency by a great deal. “We transferred about 70 to 80 sites on this technology. It saves us between 42-45 per cent in energy consumption,” he added.
on the 4th positions with 15.4 market shares even after being the latest entrant in the market. With innovative technology and future plans, it would not be erroneous to say that Zong is already to give a tough time to its competitors. And cell phone users will also be able to benefit from the inimitable offers, which Zong is planning to introduce.n
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InsighT
SBP stresses banks, celcos to promote branchless banking
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As a result of SBP regulations on Branchless Banking, we have seen emergence of four mobile banking deployments which are not only advancing new frontiers for financial inclusion but also pushing the expansion in the payment ecosystem of the country, says Yaseen Anwar he Governor, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Yaseen Anwar, has stressed upon the banks and mobile network operators (MNOs) to promote branchless banking for the benefit of the unbanked and underserved people of the country. "If the banks and mobile network operators want to succeed, they have to assign a strategic priority to branchless banking", he said while inaugurating a one-day workshop on `Future of Branchless Banking, Payment Systems and Financial Inclusion'. The moot was jointly organized by SBP, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Consultative Group to Assist Poor (CGAP) of the World Bank. He emphasized that the Boards and Chief Executives of banks and MNOs must have ownership of branchless banking and added that this will help to bring commitment, attention, and support from every level of the organizations to this innovative, exciting and challenging service. Anwar said that SBP has taken several policy and developmental initiatives to promote financial inclusion in the country. Today, our regulatory environment for microfinance and branchless banking is considered one of the best globally', he added. "As a result of SBP regulations on Branchless Banking, we have seen emergence of four mobile banking deployments which are not only advancing new frontiers for financial inclusion but also pushing the expansion in the payment ecosystem of the country", he said, adding that these providers are investing heavily in hiring, training, and branding their agents, thus contributing to the development of a new layer of distribution network for serving largely unbanked market. SBP Governor said that mobile phone subscribers are almost 120 million, while banking accounts stand at 32 million whereas the number of
borrowers is only 5.7 million which indicates that there exists a large financially-excluded market Bringing this un-served market into the formal financial system is our key objective as we believe that this would enrich the socio-economic development of our country", he added. He pointed out that the brick and mortar retail network of the entire financial industry of Pakistan stands at around 11,000 outlets after 65 years while the branchless banking retail agents' network has grown beyond 32,000 agents in a short span of 3 years.
With almost 1.8 million mobile banking accounts, the branchless banking customers conducted almost 32 million transactions worth Rs. 140 billion during the quarter ending September 2012, he said, adding that the average size of each transaction is Rs 4,065 which shows that technology is helping financial access of the unbanked population of the country
With almost 1.8 million mobile banking accounts, the branchless banking customers conducted almost 32 million transactions worth Rs. 140 billion during the quarter ending September 2012, he said, adding that the average size of each
transaction is Rs 4,065 which shows that technology is helping financial access of the unbanked population of the country. Anwar said that 90% of total bank branches are currently processing real time online banking services across the country. 1 million internet banking users, 1.8 million mobile phone banking users, and more than 10 million call center users are enjoying virtual banking, he added. Stressing the urgent need for modernizing and expanding the payment system infrastructure segments, Anwar disclosed that a proposal is under consideration at SBP for the preparation of Payment Systems Strategic Road Map for the next Five Years. He emphasized upon the mobile network operators to come up with creative marketing strategies, and financial literacy schemes that provide basic learning and educative experience to their customers. SBP Governor observed that a robust payment infrastructure is critical for the long-term development of mobile phone banking. `Banks and mobile network operators (MNOs) have to develop partnerships to expand the agent network, leverage communication bearer channels, develop client acquisition strategies, and build a robust risk management framework', he added. Anwar said the last five years average shows that 36% of the transactions were routed through electronic channels depicting a 23% average yearly growth as compared to 2% average growth in paper based transactions. Although, these statistics show an increasing trend, which is still insignificant for a country of 180 million inhabitants with a high currency in circulation of Rs. 1.9 trillion, he said, adding that this high currency in circulation is due to the fact that majority of our population is disconnected from the banking system, and is heavily reliant on cashbased transactions. n
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Over 1bn SMS sent on New Year in Pakistan
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New Year is one of the occasions in which customers generate SMS on different networks within and outside country; besides millions of MMS and minutes of calls were exchanged by customers to wish happy New Year to each other
he traffic of Short Messaging Service (SMS) is estimated to increase fivefold to more than 1.20 billion on the occasion of New Year as customers exchange greeting to their friends and relatives via text message. Officials of the mobile phone companies said more than a billion SMS have been generated on the network of mobile phone operators from evening of December 31 to next day. If a customer sends 2 SMS everyday, the number multiplies to 10 on every connection hence it totals 1,200 text messages if considers overall connection of 120 million in the country.
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They said that New Year is one of the occasions in which customers generate SMSs on different networks within and outside country; besides millions of MMS and minutes of calls were exchanged by customers to wish happy New Year to each other. A couple of mobile phone companies have
also suspended their regular packages to avoid network jam due to heavy traffic of SMS on their networks. Hence customers are charged full rates of SMS and earned handsome revenues on the occasion.
New Year's Eve is a time for reflection on the 12 months that have just passed, and looking forward to the 12 months ahead. It is also of course a time to sent text messages and tweets, update Facebook status and call friends
In Pakistan mobile phone companies witness extraordinary traffic of SMS, MMS and calls on Eid-ul-Fitre, Ei-ul-Adha and New Year. However this year the services were suspended up to 15 cities in the two events that cost Rs 600 million losses to mobile phone companies and 30 percent share of the revenues to the government. The Sindh government suggested Ministry of Interior to temporarily block mobile phone services in Karachi for averting terrorist attacks however, its recommendation was ruled out. Mobile phone companies and customers heaved a sigh of relief with the announcement of Rehman Malik, Interior Ministry, not to shut down networks of mobile phone companies on the eve of New Year. New Year's Eve is a time for reflection on the
12 months that have just passed, and looking forward to the 12 months ahead. It is also of course a time to sent text messages and tweets, update your Facebook status and call far flung friends who may have been celebrating the New Year for many hours already. The UK networks are bracing themselves for a mobile data onslaught around midnight tonight, 31 December, as everyone looks to wish their family and friends a happy New Year. Calls and texts While phone calls and text messages were the main way of sending good wishes for the past 15 years or so, in recent years people have moved towards using social networks like Facebook and Twitter as well as instant messaging services like WhatsApp and VoIP services like Skype. While services like Facebook and Twitter might be gaining ground on the humble text message, that particular method of contact is not dead yet. Decline Despite general and widespread decline in the volumes of text messages sent over the past few years in developed countries, some countries have seen an upturn in SMS usage this Christmas. In Belgium for example, mobile operator KPN recorded a 15 percent increase in Christmas messages sent. Fellow Belgian operator Mobistar recorded a five percent increase. A number of operators in the Czech Republic also recorded an uptick in SMS volumes while Finland has also continued to record growth in text messages sent. n
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Mobile phone usage patterns in Pakistan 45pc users are Late Night Callers, Rozee Survey finds
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Nationwide, the majority of respondents (72 per cent) chose social non-romantic as a reason for talking post midnight; 48 per cent revealed they talk to discuss affairs related to their business and 47 per cent said their calls were romantic in nature
n the light of the recent ban on night time talk time packages, the question that almost everyone seems to be asking is: would there be an actual significant impact of this ban? And if so, of what nature and magnitude should we expect it to be? When the news of the ban reached the general population of Pakistan, a mixed reaction was recorded; some believed it to be a threat to their freedom of speech while other saw it as much needed intervention for the youth of Pakistan. But who are the real opponent and proponents of this ban, and why this ban on post midnight telecom packages was a significant issue for its advocates remained a puzzle. For this very reason, Rozee.pk’s latest survey investigated the general concerns the population of Pakistan had with the night time talk time packages, and whether any of the theories offered by the proponents of the ban were in fact true. Methodology An online survey was initiated by Rozee.pk on December 7th, 2012 and lasted till December 16th, 2012 inviting individuals from all over Pakistan to express their opinion about the ban on the late night talk time packages and what impact, if any, it had on their daily routine. More than 1700 respondents from across 146 cities in Pakistan completed the survey. A thorough demographic classification of the respondents is given below. Demography of Respondents Age: A majority of respondents (46 per cent) belonged to the age bracket 20-25.
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Gender: 85 per cent of the respondents were males while 15 per cent were females. Working Status: 60 per cent of the respon-
dents who took the survey were employed respondents while 23 per cent were student respondents.
activated a special talk time package to make calls. Interesting to note that individuals who are single and engaged are the ones making use of the discounted packages in the majority. 53 per cent engaged respondents and 43 per cent respondents who are single make use of the discounted packages comparatively more than the married respondents who took the survey. Of those 41 per cent who use a discounted package, 7.91 per cent respondents admitted using the night talk time packages; Interesting to note a whopping 45 per cent respondents use 24-hour talk time packages which lets them talks at a discounted rate throughout the day and night. % type of discounted packages used
City: The majority of respondents belonged to Lahore (25.54 per cent), Karachi (17.29 per cent), Islamabad (12.68 per cent), Rawalpindi (4.10 per cent), and Faisalabad (5.06 per cent). Users of discounted packages (Day, Night, 24 Hours) Nationwide, 41.13 per cent of the respondents who took the survey admitted using discounted packages to make calls whereas others have not
Late Night Callers Nationwide, 45 per cent of the respondents admitted making late night calls. Of these 54 per cent use cellular network, 34 per cent make use of mobile applications only and 12 per cent use a combination of both mobile applications and cellular services to make late night calls.
Night Calles, Using Communication Mediums
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Night Callers Who Use Mobile Apps A comprehensive breakdown of the demography reveals male respondents (47 per cent), employed respondents (47 per cent), engaged
cent for respondents who are single. Of the cities, in Karachi, 55 per cent respondents admitted making calls to the opposite gender the most.
respondents (53 per cent), and respondents from Islamabad (48 per cent) to be in the majority of users who make late night calls as compared to their respective counterparts.
When asked how long the respondent spend time talking post midnight, 20 per cent of the users admitted making daily post midnight calls, whereas a whopping 30 per cent said they make them a few times every week. 44 per cent of the users talk for a minimum 10 minutes, however, 24 per cent talk for a good hour and 14 per cent for more than 2 hours.
Of those who talk post midnight daily (20 per cent), the average call lasts 2.5 hours. On the other hand, of respondents who talk few times each week, 32 per cent said their calls last an average 10 minutes whereas 34 per cent said their calls last an hour and 12 per cent call for more than 2 hours a few times every week.
Who are they talking to? Nationwide, 47 per cent of the respondents who make late night calls confessed they talk to the opposite gender. The percentage rises to 67 per cent for engaged respondents and to 55 per
Survey
Purpose for calling post midnight To understand the purpose of post midnight calls across the demography, respondents were asked to list down reasons that contributed the most to them resorting to talk post midnight. Nationwide, the majority of respondents (72 per cent) chose social non-romantic as a reason for talking post midnight; 48 per cent revealed they talk to discuss affairs related to their business and 47 per cent said their calls were romantic in nature. The percentage for calls being made for romantic and social-romantic reasons rises for the respondents who are engaged and single. 74 per cent respondents who are engaged and 75 per cent respondents who are single said they talk for social-romantic reasons; whereas, a whopping 71 per cent respondents who are engaged and 53 per cent respondents who are single said they talk for romantic reasons which is a comparatively significant amount spent by them than those who are married (30 per cent).
Should the Night Time Packages be banned? 52 per cent of the respondents across Pakistan voiced that post-midnight talk time packages should be banned. Demographically, respondents in Lahore (13 per cent) and Karachi (14 per cent) voted there shouldn’t be any ban on the late night talk time packages. A significant majority across all demography felt neutral regarding the ban on talk-time packages which suggests the ban doesn’t affect them in any way. However, a significant change in perception for the late night talk time packages was seen when the response of those who talk late night was recorded against those who don’t. 19 per cent of those who talk post midnight
strongly believed there shouldn’t be any ban on the late night talk time packages; on the other hand, only 6 per cent of those who don’t talk voted it shouldn’t be banned.
26 per cent respondents who were using the late night talk time packages for romantic purposes, 20 per cent of those talking for social non-romantic purposes and 20 per cent users talking for business strongly opposed the ban. Another interesting account was recorded from the respondents who spent time talking late night daily. A massive 37 per cent of them strongly opposed the ban, the feelings shared by the 25 per cent respondents who spend time talking post midnight few times every week. Would you pay more to talk more? When asked whether they will continue talking post midnight if the ban is implemented, 42 per cent late night callers across Pakistan replied in the affirmative. In both Karachi and Islamabad, the percentage of late night callers who would continue talking post midnight in spite of the ban rises to 51 per cent.
For those who talk for romantic reasons, the ban will not have a significant affect as 46 per cent would still continue talking post midnight, the same goes for those talking for business (47 per cent) and social non-romantic reasons (43 per cent). 52 per cent of the respondents who are talking daily also revealed the ban would not change their routine as they will still talk post midnight even if they have to pay more for it. However, the usage pattern for post midnight calls would shift for those who are talking few times each month (63 per cent) and those who are talking only on weekends (60 per cent) as both revealed they’ll stop talking if the ban in implemented. Courtesy: Rozee.pk
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Celcos working on new channels for mobile SIM selling
Cellular companies are sending different proposals to PTA to continue the phase of SIM selling at normal routine and according to the point of view of cellular companies it is so difficult to install the biometric machines at the place of too many retailers and also very expensive.
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ellular companies are considering the alternative distribution system for SIM selling while the deadline will be ended on February 2013 to stop the SIM selling process through retails and will halt the big gap between operators and end users is the still question mark how to resolve and identify the issue to streamline the selling process optimized. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has imposed the restrictions to stop SIM selling through retailers and road sellers, and bring forward mechanism to bound operators to offer sales on their franchises and customer care spots. Now cell phone companies are sending different proposals to PTA to continue the phase of SIM selling at normal routine and according to the point of view of cellular companies it is so difficult to install the biometric machines at the place of too many retailers and also very expensive. There are more than 200,000 retails could not be equipped with biometric machines in a very short span of time but there should be a middleway solution accepted by companies with the approval of PTA mainly to retain penetration of cellular phone companies in rural areas. Some of the mobile phone companies have set up alternative sales channels in the form of model outlets and moveable shops in different cities without approval of the telecom authority. And phone operators are messily running advertisement campaigns to boost up their sales with extra free minutes and SMS for getting edge over different operators. Due to new rules of PTA sales of SIM’s have
massively declined around 4,500 to 7,500 per day in overall cellular industry, Now cellular phone companies are considering to allowed to resume their sales through model outlets and sub-franchise in the coming weeks as a matter of fact the subscription on different network has plunged sharply, an official of the cellular phone.
There are more than 200,000 retails could not be equipped with biometric machines in a very short span of time but there should be a middle-way solution accepted by companies with the approval of PTA mainly to retain penetration of cellular phone companies in rural areas
Earlier, Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) had issued a notification to the cellular service providers did not allow sell new SIMs through franchises, customer service centres or retailers from November 30. Service providers will also have to verify all unregistered SIMs. Unregistered ones will be blocked permanently using a 5% illegal SIMs per week formula, it adds. Sources said the interior ministry had issued some important directives to PTA regarding un-
registered SIMs, which pose a great threat to national security. They added that a high-level meeting was held at the PTA headquarters to communicate the aforesaid directions to operators, following which a notification was issued. The telecom authority has asked cellular service providers to verify all SIMs by December 12, and issue a duly signed certificate stating that all credentials are 100 percent accurate by December 15. The credentials will be tallied with information available with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). According to the PTA’s notification, new SIMs can only be issued against two documents: the customer’s computerised national identity card (CNIC) or his/her driving licence. Service providers will have to send the new SIM to the customer’s authorised residential address and maintain a proper record of SIMs issued, sold and retrieved. The rider delivering SIMs has to ensure the person who applied for the same personally receives it, that too after verifying the CNIC and signing the receiving confirmation. As per the Supreme Court’s orders, no more than five SIMs – whether from one or more service providers – can be issued against a single CNIC. The choice to retain a particular number will rest with the customer, added the PTA notification. A source said the interior ministry has asked PTA to unblock Youtube and manually block any blasphemous content. He, however, did not say when the decision is expected to be implemented. n
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Wateen Telecom
hosts dinner in honour of WiMAX President
Naeem Zamindar CEO Wateen Telecom has said Wateen Telecom is focused on proliferating broadband internet in Pakistan and we are f irmly committed to the idea that WiMAX can change every aspect of life in Pakistan
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eclan Byrne, President of WiMAX forum, the global body that certifies and promotes the compatibility and interoperability of WiMAX products and services, recently visited Pakistan to meet with regulator and government officials. Wateen Telecom hosted a dinner in honour of WiMAX President in a local hotel in Islamabad, which was well attended by CEO’s, senior managers and dignitaries from the IT, Broadband and cellular industry of Pakistan. Along with local partners, WiMAX forum has put immense efforts in streamlining the WiMAX businesses in Pakistan that have been undergoing stagnant growth after booming period few years ago. Declan, speaking on the occasion said, “My visit to Pakistan is not only aimed at convincing the government in bringing more transparency in laws and market practices but also to encourage WiMAX investors who are apparently hesitant in putting more capital in their businesses lately.” Declan further suggested that WiMAX operators can partner with cellular companies to form partnerships to offer broadband services to cross-network users, eventually to boost their revenues on current working ecosys-
tem. Declan Byrne revealed that WiMAX forum is working on new standards that will allow all sorts of devices, including smartphones, notebooks, tablets and others, to get connected with
Declan Byrne, President of WiMAX forum appreciated Pakistani operators for deploying one of the largest and first WiMAX network in the world. It may be recalled that Naeem Zamindar, CEO WateenTelecom, is on the Board of Directors at WiMAX forum internet through WiMAX without CPEs. Declan said that once these new standards get active, somewhere around 2014, WiMAX operators will become strongest contestants for offering broadband services in developed and developing mar-
kets alike. Pakistan is the first country in the world to have rolled out a nationwide WiMAX network, established by Wateen Telecom. WiMAX President further proposed that WiMAX operators can even contract with each other to offer broadband roaming services to cross-operator users – making service availability (on WiMAX or WiFi) available to larger pool of customers in wider range of areas. Speaking on the occasion, Naeem Zamindar, CEO Wateen Telecom, has said:"Wateen Telecom is focused on proliferating broadband internet in Pakistan and we are firmly committed to the idea that WiMAX can change every aspect of life in Pakistan for the better. Being one of the pioneers for the technology in the world, Wateen believes WiMAX is the solution of choice for emerging countries and can leapfrog Pakistan to progress." At the dinner hosted by Wateen Telecom in his honour, Declan appreciated Pakistani operators for deploying one of the largest and first WiMAX network in the world. It may be recalled that Naeem Zamindar, CEO Wateen Telecom, is on the Board of Directors at WiMAX forum.
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Cover Story
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Zubair Ahmed Kasuri
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Cover Story
n the e-age, connecting with divinity for many has been hi-tech - courtesy fancy gadgets and the ubiquitous computer and broadband. Today, science and technology enjoy zenith of infinite success, every now and then new inventions and mind boggling technology emerge on the crust. Internet and social media made this divine world a ‘global village’, where one can connect and communicate with people living in either side across the globe. In this e-connected world, eShopping and fund transfer become the easiest thing to do; one can earn millions online by utilizing his/her skills and talent; we can buy anything we love to- courtesy to the fascinating advancement the modern age-man does enjoy. Someone will wonder, am I mad? No, I’m in my senses, we are living in a world, where everything is only a ‘click’ away; you can shop online, pay online, earn online, even you can be cured online. Some argue that e-Commerce or Online Shopping has just recently come to existence. However, the fact is Online Shopping has been around for almost 29 years. Compuserve built the very first ECommerce store in 1984. In 1985, Nissan introduced its Online Store to allow dealers and consumers to buy cars online. The Ecommerce industry saw a significant change in 1995, when eBay was found by Pierre Omidyar as an auction website. eBay still appears to be one of the biggest marketplaces in the world. The advent of eBay and Amazon took the online world by a storm and tons of companies have now emerged on the surface to sell their stuff online and rake in immense profits that this market has to offer. In addition to being extremely profitable for business owners, online shopping has been a dream come true for majority of consumers around the globe. As of 2012, the most love-able activity for people to do around the world on Internet is to Shop Online. They can purchase goods whenever they want, sitting in front of a TV clad in their pajamas and shirts. As far as sellers are considered, almost anyone can sell anything online and with a simple website, which offers a great ROI. In USA, it is estimated that consumers in buying stuff online spent almost 167 million dollars in 2012. Even though online shopping and e-Commerce has gained extraordinary popularity in many countries, we have still not seen the best this industry has to offer in Pakistan. People here still believe that going to the market and bargain for every penny is the way to get the best deal possible. For me, this has something to do with our overall mind set and society behavior, we have been ac-
days. I have been a big fan of online shopping and whenever I have to order something for my family in Pakistan, I have to deal with an unresponsive and unprofessional customer support of these websites, which tells me clearly that neither the consumers nor the e-Commerce business owners are taking this industry seriously, but I do believe it will take quite some time for consumers to understand the comfort online shopping can provide them and for business owners to understand the true potential of E-commerce.
Its a million dollar question to answer; why PayPal is not available in Pakistan? Is PayPal not interested in 200 million market of Pakistan? No, PayPal is even providing its services in the most underdeveloped countries likes of Malta, Ethiopia, Somalia etc. don’t think PayPal is not interested here, but, you might wonder, PayPal has tried to kickoff its operations but it’s our government’s inability, which even don’t know, what PayPal is? They continuously ignoring it, but they don’t know by ignoring PayPal, who are they depriving?PayPal? No, the whole Pakistani nation is being deprived
Another major reason for the lack of e-Commerce business in Pakistan is that not many people use Credit Cards in Pakistan. I believe, it’s playing with a wild lion to make decent income to convince the bank to provide with the credit card. However, not many people can get a card easily from banks in Pakistan, which make them stay away from online shopping anyways. Another popular method used for payment around the globe is “Payment on Delivery”, which has recently gained some popularity, but there is a long way to
prived of such opportunities, because we don’t have any means to receive and transfer money online. Its a million dollar question to answer; why PayPal is not available in Pakistan? Is PayPal not interested in 200 million market of Pakistan? No, PayPal is even providing its services in the most underdeveloped countries likes of Malta, Ethiopia, Somalia etc. don’t think PayPal is not interested here, but, you might wonder, PayPal has tried to kickoff its operations but it’s our government’s inability, which even don’t know, what PayPal is? They continuously ignoring it, but they don’t know by ignoring PayPal, who are they depriving? PayPal? No, the whole Pakistani nation is being deprived. Our civil bureaucracy and political leaders showing ignorance, which is hurting us, if PayPal does start operations, our people can bring-in foreign cambistry in billions. This will not only provide home-jobs to jobless but will boost national economy by increasing national reserves in public kitty. There was a time when businesses relied on their physical presence to attract customers and for daily productivity. But, now it’s the era of digital advertising, online marketing, selling, and procurement. Most of the physical activities have stepped into the web. The same is true regarding several businesses in Pakistan. Customers usually create the first impression of businesses by visiting the web portal associated with that business. It is therefore, very important to have a proper online presence and preferably, a system to deal with the customer online, which is referred to as e-commerce. However, keeping our country’s current position in mind, it is a developing concept. We are still accustomed to the same old way of buying things – going to the market, visiting shops, bargaining to get a good deal, and coming home with the product. This trend is rapidly changing; customers and businesses are switching to e-commerce, because it provides a brand new experience of buying and selling. Online transactions have made serious head way in the past few years, convincing more consumers to digitize their shopping experience. We still aren’t at that point where people order the smallest of things online, like grocery and food items, but we have seen people buy things from online retailers mostly due to the convenience, but also because in some way it is trusted more than a physical distributor (that might not always be the case).
customed of seeing dishonest shopkeepers in Pakistan and we are used to of hearing lies coming out of the mouth of the sellers in the market. Thus, even though, we now have ultra fast Internet speed at cheap rates (thanks to a great competition in the market), people are hesitant of shopping online. As they do not believe, they will be getting exactly what they are ordering. Most of the e-Commerce websites that have been launched in Pakistan in last 4-5 years have been of low quality and with response rate of 3-4
go before consumers and sellers can start trusting each other. But, the major obstacle in our way to do online shopping is ‘non-availability’ of ‘PayPal service’, which is one of the biggest online payment companies in the world, it has its services in almost every country around the world except for a few to name, unfortunately Pakistan is among those. In India majority people earn millions rupees working online courtesy to PayPal money transfer service, but ironically, Pakistani people are de-
Of course, there’s a reason why businesses aren’t totally switching to e-commerce, and that’s because of some obstacles. One aspect, government and regulator inability, which I have discussed, but there’s a significant lack of awareness among the masses regarding e-Commerce. Most of us still think of web transactions as a risky activity, while some think seeing is believing and one should always have a physical dealing. This is not always applicable and as I men-
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tioned, people in foreign countries even get their groceries from online stores, so why can’t we port our activities to the web? Most of us also experience hesitation while trying something new. In reality, e-Commerce is quite convenient. Since we haven’t tried it yet, we are always hesitant in doing so. All this is due to the fear of being scammed over the web or not getting the right product without visiting the actual market, or looking at the advantages of buying from a shop, instead of buying online. Next, there’s the ultimate dilemma- if a business restricts itself to e-Commerce only, it will be targeting a relatively small group of people who are aware of the online buying & selling phenomenon (not to mention, they’re a fraction of the total number of people who know how to use the internet). So that’s why the transition to e-commerce is taking some time. Once business will take initiative, customers will be attracted towards it, and that’s how the use of e-commerce will rise. After all, e-commerce is no rocket science, in plain terms; it’s all
can’t take heat to deliver, then it has no right to enjoy power to rule, during the incumbent government, our people and this country face a lot of untoward situations. In the age of modern science and technology, where everything comes to tip of the fingers, we have no Gas, electricity, petrol and money to run state affairs. The law & order situation is out of question, corruption and plundering shook-up the very foundations; and when it comes to technology, telecommunication is the only sector, which stood tall among the rest despite all odds, but it’s minister-less for the last four years; the minister-less sector boosted the tumbling economy of Pakistan by depositing billions in national purse. But, it’s more hurting, almost all the countries enjoying 4G and LTE technology, even the most buffer state of the world Afghanistan gets 3G, but yet it will land in Pakistan. In India 3G has been introduced in 2010 and now, India has 25 percent 4G but still we are using 2G and 2.7G.
Order situation in Pakistan is not up to the mark, it will bring great peace of mind for the consumers if they can buy stuff online with few clicks. But, I guess we still have to wait more…because, we are gifted with so called ‘democratic and sincere leaders’. The service has many benefits, PayPal makes buying products and services or even sending money as easy as sending email. It's secure and you don't have to give out your credit card account details to each merchant you buy from. It's an extra measure of security for you and your credit card when you buy. It's an extra measure of security for merchants since they are dealing with verified buyers. PayPal is now owned by eBay - so security, service and reliability is good and improving each year. Alternatively you can complete the easy sign up for your PayPal account. Then you can send money to anyone with an email address and PayPal will deduct the money from your PayPal balance, or charge your credit card or bank account. Recipients are
about buying/selling from the comfort of your home, so start now. We are competing with the world; we import latest models of vehicles and hi-tech products, but again lack of using credit card and non-availability of international money transfer services like PayPal, we can’t order for parts in case of any accident or failure, the reason is, if we buy its parts either we have to visit which is much much costlier and other option is online shopping, which we are hesitant at, but incase, I’m not hesitating and get something online, then the dilemma…how I will pay? There are lots of payment processors on internet like Payza, Liberty-Reserve, Skrill etc but PayPal is the king of all of them. Sadly PayPal support more than 190 countries of World but not Pakistan and it’s the biggest drawback we have on Internet. Certain rules and regulations laid by State Bank of Pakistan are unimaginable which made it tough for PayPal to land in Pakistan even though it tried to sort out things with Ministry of IT, Pakistan but things didn’t favored PayPal. The bureaucracy put little commitment to get things done right. Again the responsibility lies on government to provide its citizens the basic rights to live and do business. PayPal tried to enter Pakistan in 2006 and at that time it gets registered a domain paypal.pk specifically for Pakistan but the countless obstacles, which also have fraud, local laws, suspicious credit cards and high ratio of hacking and cracking. A common saying is, ‘if you can take heat, stay in the kitchen but if you can’t take heat, you can’t stay in the kitchen…so, if the government
We, the people with decent internet knowledge know how Amazon, eBay, Alibaba and other websites are making life and business easy for millions of people around the world. Therefore we know a little about this market’s potential, but a normal person who sees an online shopping ad on Facebook will have very tough time in trusting a website that they know nothing about. In addition, for entrepreneur, this sit-
notified by email that they have received a payment. It is easier and far less time-consuming than writing and mailing paper checks. And unlike checks, which can take days to clear, PayPal transactions clear instantly. Each transactions show up immediately online so you can reconcile and manage cash flow much more easily. It is absolutely free for customers or consumers. Whether you
uation seems quite dodgy; they do not want to invest their time and money in something that is not guaranteed to return the profits in near future. I hope and pray that we can have the Online Shopping culture rolling in Pakistan to allow not only the Pakistan residents but people living abroad to order stuff for their families easily and without hassle. Especially when the Law and
need to send money to a child at college or a friend in trouble across the globe, PayPal users can instantly transfer money to them with just a click of the mouse. Save time and money over costly Western Union style transfers while getting money to where you wish to send it faster than ever. The government should heed to make this service available, which not only benefits the revered people but Pakistan as well. n
In the age of modern science and technology, where everything comes to tip of the fingers, we have no Gas, electricity, petrol and money to run state affairs. The law & order situation is out of question, corruption and plundering shook-up the very foundations; and when it comes to technology, telecommunication is the only sector, which stood tall among the rest despite all odds, but it’s ministerless for the last four years; the minister-less sector boosted the tumbling economy of Pakistan by depositing billions in national purse. But, we still have to wait more…because, we are gifted with so called ‘democratic and sincere leaders’
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Telepedia
Naeem Zamindar CEO Wateen Telecom addresses during a penal discussion in the Digital Marketing Conference 2012
Wateen sponsors Digital Marketing Conference Mr Naeem Zamindar CEO of Wateen Telecom participated as the keynote speaker; Mr. Zamindar talked about mobile content and measurement, and how brands can work together with telecommunication companies such as Wateen to deliver content
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ateen Telecom, Pakistan’s leading converged communications provider, recently participated in the prestigious Digital Marketing Conference 2012, held in Karachi on 18th December 2012. The DigIt conference was held under the auspices of the Pakistan Advertisers’ Society as a platform to bring together Pakistan’s marketing and advertising communities on the subject of reinventing and reshaping marketing media. The conference, which is EC-Pakistan’s 2nd Digital Marketing Conference, was held under the theme of “Digital Marketing: Today, Tomorrow & Beyond” and was specially designed to keep an eye on present and future digital marketing/social media trends, tools, techniques and approaches. As the country’s leading converged communications provider, Wateen Telecom acted as one of the headline sponsors for the event. Mr Naeem Zamindar, CEO Wateen Telecom, also addressed the conference as a keynote speaker. Mr Zamindar spoke of the increasing importance and role of convergence in Pakistan’s telecommunications technologies during his address on
Mobile Marketing. Specifically, Mr Zamindar talked about mobile content and measurement, and how brands can work together with telecommunication companies such as Wateen to deliver content. He also commented on the impending advent of 3G technology in Pakistan, adding that the availability of high speed broadband on mobile devices would prove to be a tipping point for both the mobile and internet industries.
We at Wateen are strong evangelists of the digital revolution in Pakistan – and we believe that telecommunications technologies, such as high speed broadband and WiMAX, have the ability to enable and transform the lives of the average Pakistani, adds CEO Wateen
Commenting on event Mr Zamindar said, “Wateen is really pleased to be a part of this visionary conference. Pakistan’s IT and communications industry has grown immensely in the past few years and we feel privileged to have been a facilitator in Pakistan’s communication sector.” He added: “We at Wateen are strong evangelists of the digital revolution in Pakistan – and we believe that telecommunications technologies, such as high speed broadband and WiMAX, have the ability to enable and transform the lives of the average Pakistani. The DigIt conference is one step in demonstrating how digital and telecoms technologies can add value for both brands and individuals.” The conference was attended by CEOs, VPs, Directors, Senior Managers and professionals from varied backgrounds, ranging from Brand Management & Marketing, Advertising & Promotions, Communication & PR, Digital Strategy & Planning, Ad Agency & Media Buying, Web Design & Online Content Development, Research & Measurement Specialists, Publishers and Technology Providers n
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s the advancement and popularity of mobile technology continue, modern mobile devices are predicted to revolutionize the advertising industry. With the advent of new technologies recently, advertisement industry is also equipping itself with state-of-art technologies to transmit their advertisement to their targeted audience. They have wisely used television (telecasting), radio (broadcasting), internet (web casting) and print media but their campaign is not over and they are still busy inventing new methodologies to reach out to their target audience. The mobile phone has clearly taken great prominence in the human value chain. A survey revealed that out of 5,000 respondents across 8 countries, 68 percents sleep with their mobile phones next to them, and 66 percent would rather take their mobile phones to work instead of lunch. Advertising experts expressed bullish prospects about the growing ubiquity of mobile phones in Pakistan, with mobile set to change the landscape of traditional advertising in the country. Mobile technology has definitely changed the way brands talk to their consumers. Because it’s so personal and powerful, it enables the unique efficiency of reaching out to very precise target markets with mobile advertising-driven campaigns hinging on the capability to profile customers and touch them directly. Indeed, mobile is the way to go to connect with and engage today’s consumers, as well as to create a rich consumer experience that goes beyond traditional marketing.
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Mobile phone a new advertising medium
Advertising experts expressed bullish prospects about the growing ubiquity of mobile phones in Pakistan, with mobile set to change the landscape of traditional advertising in the country
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New trends provide mobile marketing technology and services that enable companies to leverage the mobile channel to grow their business. Mobile platform provides turn-key technology solutions designed to market to consumers on mobile devices. Gone are the days when we only had a single TV channel and we were forced to watch the advertisements during short break of our favorite TV Show. But Cable TV now has allowed us a liberty to switch over to other channel with a finger touch on TV remote if not interested in those lame ads.If you happen to pass by a big billboard on a highway and receive an unexpected message from a company on your blue tooth mobile phone “Would you like to see the advertisement of their products”? You will probably think that this message is from your mobile phone network that is showing these paid advertisements to their subscribers for other companies or you probably think that perhaps there is a virus attack on your phone network. But Stop! Just pay a little attention on that billboard up there right next to you. Does this billboard belong to that company whose message you have just received on your blue tooth mobile phone? If so, then you have been hunted by a latest advertisement system that is known as “Blue Casting”.
Blue Casting system has been introduced by a British Company in which blue tooth devices are installed in a bill board which transmit message to every blue tooth mobile phone found around that billboard, in which they (mobile users) are requested to see their products advertisement. If mobile phone user shows his/her interest in watching that advertisement then this billboard transmits
Mobile technology has definitely changed the way brands talk to their consumers. Because it’s so personal and powerful, it enables the unique efficiency of reaching out to very precise target markets with mobile advertising-driven campaigns hinging on the capability to profile customers and touch them directly
him/her an advertisement containing movie clip, picture, text, audio or mixture of them and all is performed very rapidly. Blue tooth devices mounted on a billboard can detect every blue tooth
mobile phone presented around 100 meters limit. Since this system is transmitting messages to only those blue tooth mobile phones that are passing by its 100 meters limit therefore it is ensuring that message goes only to those who are also seeing this bill board. This system consists upon blue tooth so user has not to pay any amount to anybody, as there is no utilization of cell phone network. According to the blue casting company this system is safe for mobile phones, as it cannot transmit any executable files so there is no chance for downloading of any virus or damaging software from billboard to mobile phone. We are witnessing an overwhelming growth in use of mobile phones in our country. A large score of our population, no matter which class or profession they belong, now own a blue tooth mobile phone or other devices like iphones, ipads and laptops. This has created a big room for new opportunities to use this new way of advertising their content to a good number of people, especially youngsters. I can foresee, it’s just a matter of time when this new advertising “monster” reaches to our streets and attacks on our blue tooth device. So, as our lives have been mobile-bound, the new advertising technologies will also boost the businesses and at the same save consumers time. So be ready! n
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NAFA Customer Contact Center Successfully delivering seamless services for six years In order to deliver personalized service and timely response to satisfy its customers, NAFA invested a significant amount in establishing a state - of - the – art Customer Contact Center back in 2006. One of the key objectives for the contact center was creating a one window facility for the customers that could also help optimize its portfolio of services, staff productivity, process efficiency and marketing campaign support and complete documentation
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AFA - NBP Fullerton Asset Management Ltd. is a premiere Asset Management Company that capitalizes on its proficient management team, sound quality of systems, processes and sponsors’ strength to consistently offer and manage innovative products to cater to varying needs of Investors. NAFA is also an early adopter of customer contact center technology and has a deep understanding on how to get the most value out of the available innovation. Customer satisfaction always comes first With a target audience comprising of high net worth investors and potential investors, NAFA lays heavy emphasis on relationship building and sustaining. In order to deliver personalized service and timely response to satisfy its customers, NAFA invested a significant amount in establishing a state - of - the – art Customer Contact Center back in 2006. To equip the contact center with most flexibility, NAFA chose Dialogic technology coupled with innovative user application suite from ZRG. One of the key objectives for the contact center was creating a one window facility for the customers that could also help optimize its portfolio of services, staff productivity, process efficiency and marketing campaign support and complete documentation. Delivering value to investors NAFA knows it is vital to closely monitor and scrutinize all avenues of customer engagement. This helps to ensure all interactions are productive and offer value for customers. This, in turn, leads to increased customer satisfaction and repeat business. According to Dr. Amjad Waheed, CEO, the na-
ture of calls made to NAFA is very sensitive. Therefore It is of paramount importance that the investors receive the latest information on any aspect of their relationship with the company - be it investment advice, update on their account status or inquiring about maturity, redemption or rate of return on their funds.
“Most of our callers are primarily investors who want to know the performance of their investment or when their bonus units are due and how they can redeem their investments. They generally want their statements, the most common request being a request to send them their account statement.” he said. Commenting on the capabilities of his customer services, Mr. Salahuddin, Manager Investor Services Department, explained that he has com-
plete faith and confidence in NAFA’s ability to deliver value to the investors through the Dialogic Contact Center technology and ZRG business applications. “We have a very sophisticated system. It’s very user friendly and my experience has been great so far, in terms of reporting and all other aspects. It is a one-window solution. Our investors know there is only one number they have to dial and simply get through to us for all their information.” In-depth reporting and analysis NAFA’s contact center plays a key role in gathering critical customers’ data and user activities. The data is automatically compiled and trans-
formed into business intelligence allowing effective measurement, monitoring and evaluation of service level quality of their task force and level of satisfaction of their highprofile investors. Dr.
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Amjad finds this comprehensive and flexible reporting capability by ZRG an important aspect in measuring productivity of his workforce. Durable technology with reliable support The durability and service duration of Dialogic technology and ZRG applications have proven to be much greater than the average life span of other technologies deployed in the market.
Mr. Uzair Khan, Head of IT is highly impressed with the durability of Dialogic contact center technology platform and the return on investment they have received. Mr. K h a n expressed great satisfaction with
their contact center calling it practically self-sustaining and maintenance free. NAFA management team is very happy with the level of knowledge and dedication they have received from ZRG team. They have high praise for the technical and service support they received from time to time. “Whenever we wanted something extra, some new functionality, ZRG’s support team was quite accommodating and our required functionalities were provided to us in a matter of a few days. The whole experience has been amazing” said Mr.Khan. Mr. Salahuddin of the ISD team has similar views on the value they have received by partnering with Dialogic and ZRG.
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He says, “Sometimes we have to make changes in the existing system or sometimes we have to make changes in the self-service IVR according to the time changes like business hours etc. I always get very positive and timely response from ZRG’s support team”. Ease of use brings savings to NAFA The contact center applications from ZRG are designed to reduce training requirements, resulting in major savings for NAFA in terms of time and money. Miss Sehrish Yaqoob, Senior Customer Services Representative, has been in the front line for several years. Sharing her experiences she says that the whole process for handling and tracking calls or seeking relevant information is very convenient. It is very easy to train our new agents. It takes only a couple of days to familiarize them with our contact center applications and within one week, the agents become expert users. In her opinion ZRG’s easy to use communication apps play a major role in increasing agents’ overall efficiency. Future roadmap Talking about the challenges ahead and NAFA’s initiatives to meet them Dr. Amjad said, “We are in the process of increasing our retail team by adding a hundred people every year. We foresee the role of our Customer Service Contact Center increasing in direct relation with the growth of our sales staff and our investors.” Speaking about the future, Mr. Salahuddin said, “The role of customer services is continuously evolving at NAFA, in fact, it is going to increase in the near future. We are expecting our customer base to increase in a very short span of time with thousands of new customers.” n
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Tech geeks who left us in 2012 Genius the minds that lit the world with unbelievable inventions Pioneers in computing, the technology industry and the wonderful world of all sorts of inventions died in 2012. Here’s our tribute to them; all these people served the humanity; their services and inventions will serve us till the existence of this world
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Jack Tramiel, Commodore founder (died at 83 in April) Tramiel's Commodore International in 1982 released the Commodore 64, a home computer that became one of the most popular models of all time, selling close to 17 million units between 1982 and 1994. Tramiel was born in Lodz, Poland, in 1928 to a Jewish family. He survived the Auschwitz concentration camp, after which he emigrated to the U.S. in 1947. Tramiel claimed that after surviving the Holocaust, he could survive just about anything. Tramiel also
Microsoft certified professional (died at 16 in January) This Pakistani girl was a young computer genius who became the world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional at age 9 (she died of heart failure following an epileptic fit). Bill Gates was so impressed with her smarts that he invited her to visit Microsoft’s U.S. headquarters in 2004. She spoke to reporter Todd Bishop, her words of wisdom: “If you want to do something big in your life, you must remember that shyness is only the mind. If you think shy, you act shy. If you think
I still recall playing this game, received for Christmas back in the 1970s, where little plastic football players bounced and buzzed around on the metal football field (usually gravitating toward the corner where the motor was). Anyway, we had our fun with it, and it turns out that Norman Sas was the man to thank for this 1948 invention, which the National Football League eventually put its stamp on. The technology behind Tudor Metal Products’ electronic football was first used for car and horse racing games. A book, titled “The Unforgettable Buzz,” is in the
purchased chip manufacturer MOS Technology to supply Commodore with needed parts and later, bought Atari Corp., from Time Warner Communications. William Moggridge, laptop PC design inventor (died at 69 in September) Bill Moggridge is widely credited as the man who came up with the clamshell design for the modern, folding laptop computer while with a company called Grid Systems in the late 1970s. The $8K, 12-pound device, quite portable for its time, gained prominence through NASA and military use. One of Moggridge’s claims to fame was coining the term “interaction design,” referring to the common sense idea that software and hardware should fit people’s needs. “If there’s a simple, easy principle that binds everything together,” Moggridge said, “it’s probably about starting with the people.” Shown here, a Grid Compass computer modified with a Galaxy Tab tablet to recognize Moggridge’s passing. Arfa Karim Randhawa, world’s youngest
confident you act confident. Therefore never let shyness conquer your mind.” Norman “Joe” Woodland, bar code inventor (died at 91 in December) Woodland, who created the bar code with Bernard “Bob” Silver while at an engineering school in Philadelphia now called Drexel University, used his knowledge of Morse Code to come up with the technology that has had such a huge impact on commerce. Woodland went to work at IBM to further the technology, which was first used for train carriages. Five billion products a day are now scanned optically using the bar code, or Universal Product Code, according to the standards body overseeing UPC. In 1992, Woodland received the National Medal of Technology, and in a more modern tribute to Woodland and Silver’s work, Google introduced a Google Doodle atop its search page in 2009 recognizing the 57th anniversary of the patent. Norman Sas, inventor of electronic football game (died at 87 in July)
works about the game and Sas, a toy inventor and mechanical engineer. Roland Moreno, creator of the smart card (died at 66 in April) This French inventor’s idea for the smart card, or carte à puce, reportedly came to him in a dream and originally came in the form of a smart ring. The idea evolved into plastic cards in 1975 featuring embedded integrated circuits. These have gone on to be used for countless applications from bank cards to driver’s licenses to cellphone SIM cards. Moreno recognized the potential downsides of his invention: "They have the potential to become Big Brother's little helper," he said. Daniel Weinreb, Lisp leader (died at 53 in September) Weinreb was best known for his work with the Lisp computer programming language, in particular, Common Lisp. He also co-founded Symbolics, a Cambridge, Mass., maker of Lisp Machines for AI and software development, and
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Object Design, which sold ObjectStore, a leading commercial object-oriented database management system. At the end of his career, Weinreb worked for ITA Software, which Google bought in 2010. Weinreb’s blog. Richard Alf, co-founder of San Diego Comic-Con International (died at 59 in January) This former comic book store owner turned his passion into a real phenomenon when he launched Comic-Con in 1970, providing a gathering place for those who love comics and by extension, costumes, video games, action figures, graphic novels and more. This year, the San Diego confab attracted some140,000 attendees. Harold Seward, computer scientist (died at 81 in June) Seward developed the radix sort and counting sorta alghorithms in 1954 at MIT, according to Wikipedia, and also worked on the real-time Whirlwind Computer, a precursor to the first business computers and minicomputers. Seward also worked on guidance system technology for Apollo spacecraft and the Polaris missile.
founded the nonprofit National Biomedical Research Foundation in 1960 to promote the use of computers in biomedicine. Though his most recognized achievement was inventing the first Computerized Tomography (CT) scanners in the 1970s for producing cross-sectional images of human body parts. His work was recognized with introduction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1990 and a National Medal of Technology in 1997. More from the NY Times obituary. David Waltz, computer scientist/AI expert (died at 68 in March) Waltz finished his career as director of the Center for Computational Learning Systems at Columbia University, having built his computer science reputation earlier at Princeton University, supercomputer firm Thinking Machines and other organizations. The New York Times’ John Markoff wrote in his Waltz obituary that his work in “information retrieval provided the foundation for today’s Internet search engines.” Waltz also made breakthroughs in enabling computers to render 3D scenes.
Appleton rose to the top of this Boise, Idaho, semiconductor company from the factory floor, where he began working in 1983. A professional stunt pilot, he lost his life when his experimental aircraft crashed. Willis Whitfield, cleanroom inventor (died at 92 in November) Nicknamed “Mr. Clean” by some, Whitfield came up with ideas for the modern laminar-flow cleanroom in 1960 while working at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico. His advances, which resulted in a multibillion cleanroom industry within just a few years, included a highly filtered air flow that got rid of problem particles in manufacturing, pharmaceutical, healthcare and other settings. Samuel Glazer, co-developer of Mr. Coffee (died at 89 in March) Back in 1972, way before Starbucks was on every other street corner, there was Mr. Coffee, introduced by Glazer and business partner Vincent Marotta via a company called North American Systems (kind of sounds like a technology company, no?). The automatic drop coffee
The famed author was a favorite of tech types for his novels such as Fahrenheit 451, Dandelion Wine, and Something Wicked This Way Comes, as well as his short story collection The Martian Chronicles. Not surprising given that his writings include descriptions of communications devices that foretold modern inventions, such as Bluetooth gadgets. In books such as Fahrenheit 451 Bradbury also expressed his feelings about censorship, though one Network World writer found Bradbury’s views toward the Internet somewhat puzzling (such as when he said: "The Internet is a big distraction. It's meaningless. It's not real."). Still, some proposed that a new HTTP error message code be named in Bradbury’s honor as: 451. Robert Ledley, inventor of full-body CT scanner (died at 86 in July) Ledley started off as a dentist but later became a biomedical researcher who pioneered the use of computers in the healthcare field. Ledley
Sam Porcello, food scientist who created the Oreo cookie filling (died at 76 in May) “Mr. Oreo,” a 34-year Nabisco veteran, held five patents directly related to the Oreo, with the most famous being for the luscious crème filling. Though this member of the Nabisco R&D team was really considered a foremost expert on cocoa. Porcello is also credited with creating other snacks, including Snackwells products marketed as healthy snacks. Gerald Estrin, computer science pioneer (died at 90 in March) Estrin led development of WEIZAC, one of the first large-scale electronic computers outside of the United States and Western Europe, while in Israel. Estrin conceived the idea of reconfigurable computing, which led to new types of programmable computer chips. He wound up his career with UCLA’s Computer Science Department. Steve Appleton, Micron CEO (died at 51 in February)
maker, engineered by a couple of former Westinghouse employees, became an instant hit. Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio kept it brewing as a high profile spokesman. The Mr. Coffee brand is now owned by Sunbeam and yes, there’s a Frappe edition. Chaleo Yoovidhya, co-creator of Red Bull energy drinks (died at 88 in March) This Thai businessman started up a pharmaceuticals company in the 1960s but in the 1970s turned to making energy drinks loaded with caffeine and other substances, such as amino acids. The drink that broke out beyond Thailand was called Krathing Daeng (“Red Bull”), originally marketed to laborers and truckers but currently popular among everyone from athletes to latenight programmers who can no longer find Jolt soda. Yoovidhya died with a net worth estimated at $5 billion, making him one of Thailand’s wealthiest people. n
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PTA chairman fired, 3G future? Farooq Ahmed Awan, a powerful bureaucrat, was appointed chief of the PTA in July 2012; notorious for his arrogance, took several controversial decisions, both in his capacity as IT secretary and as PTA chairman, and disregarded – and at times punished – those who stood in his way
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single bench comprising Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah of the Lahore High Court (LHC) set aside the appointment of Farooq Awan as Chairman of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The court passed the order on petitions challenging the appointment of PTA Chairman Farooq Awan. The petitions were filed by Khawaja Saad Saleem and Barrister Sardar Muhammad Ali submitting that the government had not followed the procedure to appoint the chairman. They said the vacant post was never advertised in the media nor was any other member interviewed for it. The petitioners pleaded to the court to declare the appointment null and void and order the government to make a fresh appointment. The court after hearing arguments of both parties set aside the appointment of Farooq Awan as PTA chairman. Flare for the last couple of months brought into light the illegal appointment of chairman PTA and his efforts during the course. He came, he saw, but he just could not conquer. Farooq Ahmed Awan was the government’s most-trusted bureaucrat, given the responsibility for taking the 3G mobile spectrum licencing process to its logical end. His tenure as chairman of the PTA, however, came to an abrupt and unceremonious end after the Lahore High Court annulled his appointment. A powerful bureaucrat otherwise, Awan was appointed chief of the PTA in July 2012. Notorious for his arrogance, the bureaucrat did not enjoy a good reputation in the industry. He took several controversial decisions, both in his capacity as IT secretary and as PTA chairman, and disregarded – and at times punished – those who stood in his way. Awan used this dismissive approach in the auctioning process of the 3G spectrum licences, and hired three consultants without the consensus to other board members. It comes as no surprise, then, that Awan’s termination was seen as a positive development by different factions within the PTA. “The industry was upset with Awan and wanted to be rid of him,” Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (ISPAK) Convener Wahajus Siraj echoed. “Filing a petition against him was the only way out,” said Siraj, who welcomes the LHC’s judgment. “We have never had such a corrupt chairman in the history of PTA.” Awan had issued a policy directive for establishing the controversial International Clearing House (ICH) in his capacity as IT secretary. “The ICH had been opposed by all three members of the PTA during Muhammad Yaseen’s tenure, because it was against the PTA Act,” Siraj said. “Awan enforced the directive when he became PTA chairman,” he added.
Interestingly, even officials from the government seemed happy with his dismissal. “He had become a liability for the government. If the LHC had not terminated him, the government would have sacked him anyway,” said a senior government official on the condition of anonymity.
During the Long March, from Lahore to Islamabad, the procession witnessed complete cellular service blanket to avoid security lapse, according to estimates the cellular companies have lost in Rs 2500 million, in addition, government has to bore Rs. 750 million in tax losses. This does not include the monetary loss or other damages that the people of Pakistan bear due to inaccessibility of communication services
“Awan’s termination was on the cards. He knew it, as he had not been attending any meetings or office for several weeks,” the official said. Given that Awan has already departed, and the service terms of Nasarul Karim Ghaznavi and Khawar Khokhar – the remaining two PTA members – are also expiring in February and March respectively, things are moving in the right direction, the official said. Awan’s termination, however, may not impact the 3G auction, reassured the official. “It will happen at the earliest. The government needs the money.” Telecos, too, do not seem much bothered with his removal.
A reprehensible display of personal animosity and mishandling has generated enough controversy surrounding the auction of 3rd Generation cellular spectrum license to threaten more than $1 billion direct investment in Pakistan. According to sources closest to the matter said that the Chairman PTA and two members were at loggerheads to thwart the prospects of one of the most beneficial deals in the country’s history. It was revealed that after the recent controversy involving three foreign consultants and the intervention of the Supreme Court and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the PTA Chairman has even refused to listen to the telephone calls of the officials concerned. Pakistan has lost more than twelve valuable months, over forty thousand new jobs and an opportunity to earn huge foreign exchange. Unfortunately, the reasons behind the repeated disruptions are not professional or legal in nature, but the personal animosity of the members of the Authority who are the real hindrance and are playing under the shadow of their ego since the time of Ex-chairman and preferring their individual portrait over national interest. The government issued policy directive on December 19, 2011, for 3G licensing in Pakistan. The policy mandated the PTA to hire consultant for the implementation within two months. But the PTA failed to meet the deadline. The process of hiring consultant was initiated again, but due to non-compliance of Request for Proposal (RFP), no consultant could be hired. That was the second attempt wasted. With two failed attempts, the government decided to deal with the matter on urgent basis. An advertisement was given in the newspapers for the hiring of advisors/consultants. A fourmember evaluation committee of the PTA short listed three candidates from the total applicant pool of 51. The PTA chairman by using his powers under the law appointed three internationally-reputed foreign consultants to assist PTA on 3G Auction. But the hiring hit snags as PTA Member Technical Khawar Siddique Khokhar and Member Finance Nasrul Karim Ghaznavi opposed the hiring, terming it a violation of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules. The two members claimed they were not consulted in the hiring process. They, thus, refused to approve Information Memorandum, a document necessary to call bids for the licenses. The Ministry of Information Technology and the PTA have rejected the arguments of the members. They said the hiring was done in line with the PTA rules. Basit Riaz Sheikh, advisor of IT Ministry, defended the PTA chairman, saying he is empowered to appoint these consultants under the relevant sections of the PTA Employees Services
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Regulations 2008. He agreed the PTA has to get the consent of other members for regulatory functions, but for administrative functions like appointment of the consultants, the chairman has the sole prerogative of making the final call. But, unfortunately again, due to the lack of coordination between the Chairman and the Members of PTA and in order to settle personal scores between them, Members scandalized the
tor are going home in March this year, the government has a new task to appoint a new authority setup with all three members. This new development has nothing strange but to delay auction of 3G, which is already late some five years as compare to other countries in the region. The 3G future looks gloomy in the current scenario, the government is not serious, while the regulator is in the midst of dust storm, the boss of
said process by writing letters and making false statements to NAB, PPRA, Media etc. Last month, NAB also declared the hiring of consultants as illegal and asked the PTA to either fix the violation by December 26 or rehire the consultants as per rules. That did not happen. So far, the PTA has spent more than Rs20 million just on advertisements. After NAB’s intervention, the PTA Chairman shocked everyone and without consulting Secretary IT, Advisor MoIT, members of the Auction Supervisory Committee headed by the Finance Minister and without taking any guidance from PPRA and NAB to streamline the process, declared the appointment of consultants as annulled and void abinitio on 21st December, 2012, while addressing the Federal Minister of Finance in his letter in the light of observations raised by National Accountability Bureau (NAB). A senior official lamented that Pakistan and its people were being deprived of the muchawaited technology leap and valuable foreign direct investment due to sheer incompetence and personal animosity of the three members of the PTA. The total remuneration of the three consultants, including their travel, boarding, and lodging expenses, was approximately Rs52 million, which was less than half of what had already been spent on various advertisements seeking hiring of consultants. Interestingly, the chairman has been fired by court and the other two members of the regula-
authority has been sent home and remaining two are on their way to out in the next two months; however, the affecttees are the telecom companies and revered consumers. On the other hand, the telecom services providing companies are heavily suffering from network shutdown; they are losing billions per day,
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During the Long March, from Lahore to Islamabad, the procession witnessed complete cellular service blanket to avoid security lapse, according to estimates the cellular companies have lost in Rs 2500 million, in addition, government has to bore Rs. 750 million in tax losses. This does not include the monetary loss or other damages that the people of Pakistan bear due to inaccessibility of communication services. Service closures in Pakistan for security reasons, the only example of such kind in the whole world, are expected to persist and may only worsen in coming days. Interior Minister Rehman Malik always takes credit for shutting down cellular services citing security reasons. Interestingly, leaders of his own party do not agree with his notion and condemn his actions. Federal Minister Syed Khurshid Shah said that the decision to block mobile service is being taken by Rehman Malik on his own and that it is not the government’s decision. The Interior Minister frequently claims that 90 per cent of the bombs set off by militants have been detonated using cell phones. People across the country are facing a lot of problems after mobile service goes off as some people cannot call for emergency ambulance service. Officials say that the militants in Pakistan often detonate bombs using cell phones and the government has implemented similar service suspensions in the past. But the authorities should also come up with a clear stand whether it is the only solution to the problem to shut mobile service? The government should improve its intelligence system to break the network of the militants rather than adopting the easy option to stop phone service. Salman Ansari, a senior telecom professional, says that he hasn’t seen times as bad as this in telecom history of Pakistan. He opines that today’s age and time has got all sorts of tools (such as data mining, massive legal interception, pattern recognition, common and accessible data bases of cell phone companies, the deep NADRA data bases, etc) available to tackle
Pakistan has lost more than twelve valuable months, over forty thousand new jobs and an opportunity to earn huge foreign exchange. Unfortunately, the reasons behind the repeated disruptions are not professional or legal in nature, but the personal animosity of the members of the Authority who are the real hindrance and are playing under the shadow of their ego since the time of Ex-chairman and preferring their individual portrait over national interest
as every now and then the government in the name of security threat caped all mobile phones. Interior Minister Rehman Malik does not spare any opportunity to shutdown the mobile phone service in the country. When we mourn cellphone service closed down when we happy also mobile phone service closed. On Eids, the mobile services had remained suspended while on Ashura and Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) mobile service also shutdown. This is not the first time that cellphones services have been shut off to prevent mischief, terrorist activities and violence.
terrorism but all the Government can think of is of shutting down communications, which are a vital lifeline for many. The mobile services providing companies need to call their Group CEOs and asked the incumbent government to stop this stupid way in handling terror activities, if the government is not ready to mend their ways, telcos should have to threat to close down business for once and all. The telcos are bearing huge losses for the last one year, as the 2012 witnessed service shutdown on various occasions and in 2013 the first month has seen almost complete blanket. n
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eople are now becoming social recluse s on the ground only to be very socially active online. Internet users find for themselves such activities as playing games online to discussing and debating and expressing their own heart out through personal blogs and tweets. Chatting is also a common engagement for netizens who are very involved in finding like-mindedness around. Internet marriages have become the latest trend in Pakistan. Although, it is not unheard of, but it cannot be said that it has become a norm in this country. People do meet online, interact over a course of time, form friendships and possibly even fall in love and someday, they get are found as a couple. Such happens everywhere around the world. But a place like Pakistan, which is considered to be very traditionally rooted in its own customs, there are strands of diversity too. The report mentions the case of a 22-year-old daughter of a conservative truck driver. The girl, named Sania, had married a guy she met online, but faced severe reaction from her family, especially her father. Although, one would find many such stories in novels and films, but the dramatization in fiction media is nothing as compared to what really takes place in reality. It is less about the romantic notion of having a “secret” relationship and more about values, customs, tradition and moreover honour of a Pakistani family. Foreign media often depicts Pakistan in the negative light, much to the extent that the reality of the Pakistani community has become obscured with the narrative created by the pundits spinning the media. Although, this particular report mentioned a case where it became a problem, there are couples in Pakistan that have met online and were married later happily. The report quotes the professor of sociology from Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad, M. Zaman, said: “Internet marriage is a new emerging trend in Pakistan. Technological advancement has entered into our homes and traditional taboos are slowly vanishing in educated and affluent families.”
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Sania was just a schoolgirl when she logged onto an internet chat room and met a young college student called Mohammad. They fell in love and decided to get married. Internet dating in the West is now so common that it is no longer considered an act of shameful desperation but an acceptable way for busy professionals to discover a like-minded partner. But for Sania, the 22-year-old daughter of a conservative truck driver in Pakistan, online romance and her subsequent marriage has meant
Online marriages fever grips Pakistan Foreign media often depicts Pakistan in the negative list, much to the extent that the reality of the Pakistani community has become obscured with the narrative created by the pundits spinning the media
repeated beatings and death threats at the hands of her relatives. "No one gets married outside our community. It is our tradition," Sania told. She is from the garrison city of Rawalpindi and Mohammad comes from Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. At first she and Mohammad chatted online. Then they both bought mobiles to continue their
Online relationships are a new phenomenon. More than 2.1 million people are officially estimated to have access to the internet in Pakistan, a drop in the ocean of the population of 180 million
relationship by telephone. For several years they asked their parents for permission to marry, but were refused. So Sania decided to escape. She packed a bag and sneaked out while her brother was at school, her mother sleeping and her father out at work. She took the bus straight to Muzaffarabad.
"I spent the four-hour journey in fear. I kept thinking that if my family caught me, they'd kill me," she said. In Muzaffarabad, Mohammad met her off the bus and they got married immediately. Twice they have dragged her back to Rawalpindi since her marriage and have demanded repeatedly that she break off relations with Mohammad. "Last time they took me back three months ago and put lot of pressure on me to break off this relationship. I got in contact with my husband and asked him to fetch me. I escaped from the house at midnight and we managed to flee," she said. Now Sania and her 24-year-old husband have moved to a new one-room house in a slum, changed their phone number and dare not venture out of the city. "They say they will kill us whenever they find us," Sania says. Women in Pakistan who marry against the wishes of their parents are ostracised or even killed by male relatives for supposedly bringing dishonour on the family. But online relationships are a new phenomenon. More than 2.1 million people are officially estimated to have access to the internet in Pakistan, a drop in the ocean of the population of 180 million, a reflection of the huge disparity in wealth and literacy. n
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Samsung displaces Nokia as top cellphone brand in 2012
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First time the South Korean electronics titan will occupy the top on a yearly basis. Nokia will fall to the runner-up spot, the f irst time since 1998 it won’t be in peak position for overall cellphone shipments during a full calendar year or the first time in 14 years, wireless communications giant Nokia will not sit atop the global cellphone business on an annual basis at the end of 2012—with Samsung set to seize the mobile handset market’s top rank. Samsung is expected to account for 29 percent of worldwide cellphone shipments, up from 24 percent in 2011, according to the IHS iSuppli Mobile and Wireless Communications Service at information and analytics provider IHS. Nokia’s share this year will drop to 24 percent, down from 30 percent last year. A dislodged Nokia will cause Samsung to rise to first place for the full year of 2012, up from the second rank in 2011, the first time the South Korean electronics titan will occupy the top on a yearly basis. Nokia will fall to the runner-up spot, the first time since 1998 it won’t be in peak position for overall cellphone shipments during a full calendar year. “The competitive reality of the cellphone market in 2012 was ‘live by the smartphone; die by the smartphone,’” said Wayne Lam, senior analyst for wireless communications at IHS. “Smartphones represent the fastest-growing segment of the cellphone market—and will account for nearly half of all wireless handset shipments for all of 2012. Samsung’s successes and Nokia’s struggles in the cellphone market this year were determined entirely by the two companies’ divergent fortunes in the smartphone sector.” Global smartphone shipments are set to rise by 35.5 percent this year, while overall cellphone shipments will increase by approximately 1 percent. This rapid growth will propel 2012 smartphone penetration to 47 percent, up from 35 percent in 2011. Samsung’s Success vs. Nokia’s nosedive Samsung's success has been built on its “fast follower” strategy for design and manufacturing. The company produces dozens of new smartphone models every year that address all segments of the market, from the high end to the low end. Samsung monitors the big trends in smartphone design, user needs and unmet market opportunities, then creates products to fit those markets quickly and efficiently. Meanwhile, Finnish-based Nokia is mired in transitioning its smartphone line to the Windows operating system, resulting in declining shipments for the company. Sales of the company’s older
Symbian-based phones have plunged, while its new Microsoft Windows 7-based handsets haven’t been able to make up for the loss so far. Samsung is expected to post the best performance among the Top 5 smartphone brands in 2012, with its share of global smartphone shipments rising 8 points to 28 percent, up from 20 percent in
Global smartphone shipments are set to rise by 35.5 percent this year, while overall cellphone shipments will increase by approximately 1 percent. This rapid growth will propel 2012 smartphone penetration to 47 percent, up from 35 percent in 2011. 2011. In contrast, Nokia will suffer the biggest decrease, with its share forecast to plunge by 11 points to 5 percent in 2012, down from 16 percent in 2011, as presented in Table 2. Samsung pulls ahead of Apple Samsung and Apple ended 2011 in a neck-andneck battle for leadership in the smartphone market, with only 1 percentage point of market share separating them. However, entering the 2012 year, Samsung moved ahead decisively ahead of Apple with a wide range of Android smartphone offerings. Samsung made significant gains in both the high end as well as the low-cost market with its
Galaxy line of smartphones. This diversified market approach has allowed Samsung to address a larger target audience for its phones than Apple’s limited premium iPhone line. The Samsung and Apple duopoly represents the dominant force in the smartphone market, with the two companies accounting for 49 percent of shipments in 2012, up from 39 percent in 2011. While Nokia and Canada’s Research in Motion (RIM) also held double-digit shares of the market in 2011, Samsung and Apple remain the only two players that will each command a double-digit portion of the smartphone space in 2012. HTC and RIM face challenges Along with Nokia, two other entities—HTC of Taiwan, as well as RIM—struggled throughout 2012 in the smartphone market. HTC is facing a tough battle against Samsung, an acknowledged technology powerhouse, in the Android smartphone market. Market share for HTC will shrink to 5 percent in 2012, down from 9 percent in 2011. RIM, meanwhile, lacking a fresh new version of its operating system, has seen its market share slip as the company’s traditional enterprise consumers left the platform for both Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android. RIM’s share will fall to 5 percent in 2012, down from 11 percent in 2011. 2013: Smartphones go mainstream With the growth momentum behind smartphones, IHS anticipates that the smartphone penetration rate in 2013 will elevate smartphones into the majority among all phone segments, at 56 per-
cent. This event will mark a significant tipping point in the mobile handset market, as the smartphone takes a dominant position in the industry. n
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T
he USB Flash Drive was introduced in 1998. The USB interfaced NAND memory was invented by Dov Moran. He worked for M-Systems, where the very first Flash Drive was manufactured. Netac and Trek2000, Ltd. developed similar porducts about the same time. All three companies, MSystems, Netac and Trek2000, have very similar and hotly disputed patents. The first Flash Drive was manufactured and distributed in Europe under the "disgo" brand name. It was only available in four sizes; 8MB, 16MB, 32MB, and 64MB. The first distributor in North America was IBM. The history of flash drives is brief, but here's what we know so far. The birth of the flash drive is credited to Dr. Fujio Masuoka. He invented NOR and NAND Flash Memory while working for Toshiba. The release of the first removable drive was in 1984, using Masuoka's NOR Flash Memory. It was in 1984 when he invented NOR Flash Memory, which is the predecessor to NAND Flash Memory. How USB works: Today, a PC user expects to be able to connect his or her system to a wide range of external devices: not just printers and modems, but scanners, video cameras, portable storage devices, PDAs and a host of other peripherals. But for a long time, anyone attempting to do so was hampered by a lack of suitable I/O ports. Designed originally for printers and low speed modems, the PC’s serial and parallel ports leave a lot to be desired as general purpose interfaces. Their data transfer rate is low (maximum 115Kbit/sec for the serial port, up to 400KB/sec for a parallel interface) and each device requires its own hardware interrupt (IRQ) which limits the amount of expansion possible. Nor is there any hope of achieving plug and play operation with these interfaces, something that is essential if attaching peripherals to a PC is to be made something that can be accomplished by non-technical users. The need for a medium-speed, inexpensive plug and play interface that can be used to attach a practically unlimited number of devices was eventually recognized, and the solution was the Universal Serial Bus (USB). Design aims: The USB was designed to allow large numbers (up to 127) of low- and medium-
system is running, avoiding the need to reboot the system to reconfigure it. Technical issues like bus termination and the assignment of device identifiers are taken care of by the hardware and software architecture so these common sources of configuration error will not be a problem. Concerns for power conservation have been catered for by allowing devices to be suspended and resumed. Typical USB devices are those requiring low and medium bandwidths. At the bottom end of the bandwidth range, USB could be used to connect a keyboard and mouse to a PC. At the top end, scanners, backup devices or cameras for video-conferencing applications could use USB, eliminating the need for proprietary interface boards with their associated installation and configuration problems. The bus architecture, in which data for different devices travels across the same cable, also has the potential for simplifying connection requirements. For example, a mouse could plug into a keyboard, and a single cable would then link these with the PC. Although monitors would still need an analogue VGA cable, a separate USB link would allow the monitor to be adjusted from software on the PC instead of an on screen display. In the case of a multimedia monitor, audio data for built-in speakers and a microphone could also be sent over the same cable. Physical layer: USB devices are connected together using an inexpensive white jacketed four wire cable with a characteristic impedance of 90 ohms. USB devices can be either self-powered (with their own independent power supply) or bus powered. One of the pair of wires in the USB cable is used to carry 5V power: pin 1 carries the supply voltage of +5V, pin 4 is ground. There are two classes of bus-powered device. Low power devices may draw no more than 100mA of current, whilst high power devices can draw up to 500mA once configured. The second pair of wires, D+ and D- on pins two and three, is a twisted pair used to carry data. The data wires use differential signalling: both carry a signal with respect to ground, and a transition occurs when the two data lines reverse polarity with respect to one another. This gives better immunity to noise than the conventional single ended logic signal. n
Who invented the USB flash drive?
The f irst Flash Drive was manufactured and distributed in Europe under the "disgo" brand name. It was only available in four sizes; 8MB, 16MB, 32MB, and 64MB. The f irst distributor in North America was IBM
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speed peripherals to be attached to a PC. With a top transfer rate of 12Mbit/sec USB was never intended to be an alternative to SCSI. But it is still much faster than the serial or parallel ports. Particular attention was paid to the needs of audio and video devices, which it was envisaged would be increasingly important for the next generation of personal productivity applications. The design of the USB provides for this time-critical isochronous data to be delivered
The need for a medium-speed, inexpensive plug and play interface that can be used to attach a practically unlimited number of devices that can be added and removed even while the system is running, avoiding the need to reboot the system to reconfigure it
without delays that would adversely affect the quality of images and speech. USB was designed to be plug and play. Devices can be added and removed even while the
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Social media optimization Social Media Optimization is an internet marketing strategy wherein millions of nternet users from various social media site like networking sites such as facebook, twitter; blogs etc interact with each other
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ou already know that your business needs to be active on social media. Of course, knowing that is one thing. Actually making it happen (and happen well) is entirely another. Simply having accounts on the major social media networks isn’t enough. It’s what you do with them that matters. Social Media Optimization (SMO) is important to create a successful website. SMO is one of the SEO techniques which help the end users to find their sites on first page of search engines. As the social networks are increasing day by day so maximum businesses have an online presence today. One of the best ways to uphold or sustain your business website in the whole world is public media platforms. Public media platform is a platform where communication is through internet and social media. Therefore SMO is a technique of optimizing a website on social media. Social Media Optimization is an internet marketing strategy wherein millions of internet users from various social media site like networking sites such as facebook, twitter; blogs etc interact with each other. It is similar to a word of mouth strategy which spreads your message and increases the visibility. The thumb rule of social media is “sharing is caring”. The more interesting is the information shared, the more it will be clicked and consequently it will get more popular. As the result of which traffic and revenue both will increase. It would also help to complete the business targets. BENEFITS OF SOCIAL MEDIA OPTIMIZATION • Easy sharing • Reward inbound links • Increase likeability • Ensures high quality traffic • Affordable method • Contents visible to thousand of new visitors
• Access large number of clients • The name of the company will be observed by the global market • New quality results will come Better conversion rate: The basic concern for most of the investors is ROI i.e. (return on investment). A well executed and planned Social Media Marketing shows better conversion rates. SMO is a much intended method of marketing that gives excellent results for conversion rate, hence ensures a high return on investment.
Social Media Optimization has proved to be the best method to stay in touch with the old customers. The goal of every company is to have customer service that is not just the best but legendary. So, no company wants to lose their existing customers and has the same importance as making new customers
Retaining old customers: Social Media Optimization has proved to be the best method to stay in touch with the old customers. The goal of every company is to have customer service that is not just the best but legendary. So, no company wants to lose their existing customers and has the same importance as making new customers. And to retain the customers, SMO is the best technique to make new customers and to retain old ones. Direct feedback: One of the less attractive but the most important advantage of SMO is Di-
rect Feedback that uses to come from target market. Many feedbacks are from the angry customers but these feedbacks are really important for the company if one looks for the brighter side of their company. Even though the feedback is criticism, then also it gives you an opportunity to learn from your errors and correct or rectify them. As the time passes social media is increasing and is becoming essential for each and every business organization. The easiest way to make sure that you are even recognized across your social media platforms is to link your accounts together. This means that whenever you send out a Tweet, your Facebook accounts will be updated too (and vice versa). Set up your Tumblr, Pinterest and Blog to automatically update your other accounts whenever you post or pin something new. Linking you accounts saves you quite a lot of time and alleviates the fear that you’ll forget to let people know when you’ve created something new. There are also services that you can use to help you better manage your social media. You can use these services to schedule updates ahead of time, to blast all of your accounts at once, even post on a set schedule. In fact, one of the best ways to really build trust with your audience while you figure things out is to ask them what they think of what you’re doing. Encouraging the conversation is one of the best ways to show your audience that you value their opinions. Acting on the opinions they share with you just strengthens the bonds you’re already building with them. There are plenty of ways to set up your social media to run smoothly and evenly. Whether you choose to do everything manually or hire a service is up to you. What matters is that you keep working until you get it right.n
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How the tablet market evolved in 2012:
Apple, Google, Samsung, Amazon, and Microsoft go to war
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The patent fight will undoubtedly influence the next year, and the years to come, but it has become more and more clear that will also not stop any of the big five from moving forward in the tablet space
he biggest year for tablets so far was undoubtedly 2012. Amazon and Google stepped up their games, Apple responded accordingly, Samsung flexed its muscles, and even Microsoft showed up to the party. Before we dive in though, it’s important to acknowledge that there are of course other companies that make and market tablets. The tablet space is still growing very rapidly, but it’s already massive enough for these firms to be able to sell their offerings. Without help from the big guys, however, it is becoming increasingly harder for them to compete. Each of the five has put in a huge amount of resources to ensure they get their cut. Apple: In March, Apple announced the thirdgeneration iPad, only to supersede it in October with the fourth-generation iPad. Yet that announcement was overshadowed by the unveiling of the iPad mini.
This was the second time that Apple had responded to size requirements dictated by the market. With the iPad mini, Apple essentially acknowledged that tablets can come in more than one size, unlike its smartphone, as consumers may want something a little smaller and a little lighter. In doing so, Apple suddenly began offering a less powerful product, with a lower-resolution screen, and at a lower price. Google: Google has been watching its Android partners being pummeled by Apple in tablets and in 2012 decided that enough was enough. In June, the company announced the Nexus 7. It fared fairly well, but that was just version 1.0.
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In October, Google refreshed the device with the release of the Nexus 7 3G as well as the Nexus
10. Suddenly the company had both small and large tablet offerings, and although Asus was the manufacturer, Google was sending a message that it was very much interested in competing with its partners and other tablet makers. Samsung: Samsung has likely been watching Google’s moves warily. The company had the quietest 2012 of all five companies — in terms of tablets — but that doesn’t mean it didn’t sit there twiddling its thumbs.
In February, Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. The latter should not be confused with the six-inch Galaxy Note II phablet. Samsung tried to keep things simple in 2012 (releasing three tablets instead of five), but it still kept its older models around. Despite this product confusion, the South Korean company still did very well; the latest quarterly numbers gave it second place by tablet shipments. Amazon: Those figures show Amazon in third, and it didn’t get there by accident. In 2012, the company continued to use its retail reach to push its devices to the millions who visited its site. In September, the company announced the suc-
cessor to its first tablet effort: the Kindle Fire HD, available in 7-inch and 8.9-inch flavors. With its massive online store, Amazon is uniquely positioned to take on its competitors, all of which have deeper pockets. Microsoft: Amazon’s Seattle rival may have been in the tablet space for ages, but it only entered “the second coming of tablets” this year. In traditional Microsoft fashion, this was done in the form of a software play, but just as Google did, the
company realized it had to jump in its own hardware offering as well.
In June, Microsoft announced the Microsoft Surface, in Windows RT and Windows 8 flavors. It was a big move for the company, and yet it came with a unique spin. A game of price, size, and services: The Apple iPad mini starts at $329. The Google Nexus 7 starts at $199. The Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7″ starts at $199. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 starts at $249. Microsoft doesn’t have a small tablet offering. The Apple iPad starts at $499. The Google Nexus 10 starts at $399. The Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ starts at $299. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 starts at $399. The Microsoft Surface RT starts at $499. On top of all that, many of the older versions of these tablets are still available at heavy discounts. As we’ve discussed before, there’s a price war going on, and the consumer is the one to benefit in the end. Most computers today can be purchased for anywhere between $500 and $2,500. To buy a tablet in 2012, you can easily spend less than $1,000, and even less than $500 without having to compromise for an unknown brand. Looking to 2013 and beyond: You’ll notice we didn’t mention anything about the patent battle, which had some notable points in 2012. Yet it did not start this year, nor will it be resolved anytime soon. Furthermore, we feel it is a much larger technology issue that has much broader implications. The patent fight will undoubtedly influence the next year, and the years to come, but it has become more and more clear that will also not stop any of the big five from moving forward in the tablet space. Selling tablets is simply too enticing. In terms of the tablet market for 2013, it’s difficult to say what will happen for certain, but some basic trends are already apparent. Apple will keep refreshing its tablet offerings, keeping its prices higher than the rest, but ensuring higher quality end-to-end solutions. All of this can’t last. With five lumbering giants throwing their weight around, someone is bound to get hurt. When that happens, it won’t be pretty. n
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Zainab Special Children School Annual Prize distribution ceremony
Saudi Arabia Consulate Karachi, Vice Counselor Anwar Mirza, Provincial Minister, Sharmila Farooqui, Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan and other dignitaries from Karachi graced the occasion by bringing smile on innocent faces of special children.
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Cybercriminals are new-age businessmen Supporting these criminal enterprises that mirror legitimate commercial enterprises is a shadow underground of chat rooms, Web portals and marketplaces for f inding and hiring people and buying or leasing malware, exploit code and botnet-building tools
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ybercrime today is a full-fledged business with executives, middle managers and workers who depend on a variety of service providers to keep the illicit operations humming, a new study shows. Supporting these criminal enterprises that mirror legitimate commercial enterprises is a shadow underground of chat rooms, Web portals and marketplaces for finding and hiring people and buying or leasing malware, exploit code and botnet-building tools, says the 2013 Cybercrime Report from Fortinet. Also ready to lend a hand are tech consultants and hosting providers ready to turn a blind eye in return for payment. The upshot of all these resources for building, deploying and running botnets is that "anyone can make a quick buck without having to be technically adept," the report says. " "This has led to an explosion in monthly malware volumes, which are three times greater than four years ago," it said. The organizational structures of these illicit businesses are eerily close of legitimate companies. Executives make decisions, oversee operations and are generally responsible for keeping everything running smoothly. "Once they get the operation off the ground, they
then move to a business development role and hand off the dirty work to the infantry and are not involved with launching attacks," the report says. The infantry, comprised of common workers, is typically under the supervision of middle managers recruited through old-boy networks or underground forums. The managers often work with recruiters to hire people to infect machines using a variety of methods, such as email links, poisoned PDFs, compromised Web sites and social-networking links. To fine recruits, ads are placed on Internet job boards, hacking message forums and underground IRC chat rooms. There are also invitation-only, help-wanted portals that typically originate from Russia, Fortinet says. These portals provide all the tools new recruits need, including malware, URLs to support forums, payment rates and how to receive payments after completing a pre-set number of infections. The botnets run by the criminal groups perform a number of functions. They are used to download malware and to steal credentials and data from bank accounts and social networking sites. Compromised systems can also be used to proxy malicious traffic, house data, encrypt critical data for ransom and generate revenue through click fraud. A variety of service providers have sprung up to assist these criminal
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enterprises. Services include high-performance password cracking that charges $17 per 300 million attempts, which take about 20 minutes. These services are often used to crack passwords for online services. Research-and-development organizations also exist for creating custom-ordered code, fake antivirus software, ransomware, deployment systems and exploit code. The technology can be bought, leased or rented. Hosting providers are key to the success of cybercriminals, who need locations to store exploit code, malware and stolen data. Typical providers that don't care what's stored on their servers are often found in Russia and China. Because of fierce competition, mergers and acquisitions are occurring among botnet operators, Fortinet said. The most recent example of a merger was between botnets using the Zeus or SpyEye malware. With millions of dollars in revenue, criminals need a way to launder money. "Money mules" are used to move cash from one country or bank account to another, using anonymous wire transfer services, such as Western Union, Liberty Reserve, U Kash and WebMoney, Fortinet says. Small batches of money are usually transferred to avoid triggering antimoney laundering laws. Like all business owners, cyber-criminals need to keep track of key metrics. In the case of criminal enterprises, that includes the number of infected machines, how many accounts have been cracked and how much money has been taken from the accounts. To track everything from software development to accounts payable, criminals use commercial business process management software, financial systems, databases and Web portals. To combat the problem, Fortinet recommends countries and law enforcement go much further than simply taking down large botnets, which has been the focus of recent efforts by tech companies working with the courts. Fortinet hopes the report demonstrates the need for global cooperation on controlling central elements to illicit operations, such as domain registration. "It (the study) illustrates why regional efforts are likely not sufficient to block a global threat," Patrick Bedwell, vice president of products for Fortinet, said in an email.
With millions of dollars in revenue, criminals need a way to launder money. "Money mules" are used to move cash from one country or bank account to another, using anonymous wire transfer services, such as Western Union, Liberty Reserve, U Kash and WebMoney While taking down botnets isn't a final solution to cybercrime, such operations are certainly a setback for criminals and hurt their bottom line. For example, Microsoft has been particularly active. In September, the company pulled the plug on the Nitol botnet that had been spreading malware since 2008. In March, Microsoft won court approval for seizing the servers of the Zeus botnet, which cybercriminals used to steal $100 million over five years through bank fraud and identity theft. Other botnets crippled or taken down by Microsoft over the last two years include Waledac, Rustock and Kelihos. n
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2013: The top ten phones
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The device that leapt forward in 2012 will see more radical changes in the New Year. . If you compare the phones of 2011 to those of 2012, it’s almost as if the move forward in design, features, innovation and utility is by a few generations, not just 12 months es, you read that right – the top 10 phones of 2013, not 2012. And while it’s a thinly disguised strategy of using a shout-out loud headline to get more eyeballs for the column, fortunately it’s also true. This really is all about the top 10 phones of 2013. Let me explain. The year 2012 was a watershed event in the world of mobiles. I say this because this little device really leapt forward in this year like never before. If you compare the phones of 2011 to those of 2012, it’s almost as if the move forward in design, features, innovation and utility is by a few generations, not just 12 months. Thus if this pace continues in the next 12 months – we will end up with some radical new phones that may deliver way beyond what we may even wish and dream. Here are the top 10 phones of 2012 and what the next generation of each will become in 2013. HTC 8X: HTC came storming back into the spotlight with the HTC One X and the 8X takes that legacy and betters it. The form factor is so attractive that every person who has held this device in their hands raves about it. But the 8X+ of
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2013 will need to do much more. By that time Windows Phones as a platform should have about 8 per cent market share. Stunning looks and a plain vanilla WP OS won’t cut it.
The next one will have to have a killer app from HTC themselves that sets it apart. It’ll need a full 1080P display, a killer camera, one HTC user-level feature that makes all jaws drop and maybe a flexible screen. It’ll also need HTC to up the ante about getting people to hear about their phones and what they are capable of. I find HTC to be a company that is way too understated for its own good. Samsung Galaxy S3: Galaxy is a sub-brand that has made Samsung the number one mobile phone brand in the world. This is the phone that has finally become an alternative cult hit and has spawned a generation of Galaxy S fanatics who upgrade to anything the company releases. But Samsung will have to pursue new avenues with the S4. It has to get over its obsession with thin and light and thus plasticky and fragile. The S4 will have the most powerful hardware and some
outstanding user features – that is a given. But this time Samsung will have to reinvent the Galaxy S ethos and take it to super premium. The S4 must look more premium than the iPhone 5S/6 in materials used, form factor, feel in hand and design. It needs to stand head and shoulders above all to make sure it continues its dream run. More importantly, Samsung must realise that it can’t milk the Galaxy sub-brand to the level that it is. Almost anything and every-
thing released from Samsung is a Galaxy. Galaxy Mini, Galaxy Grand?? What’s next – Galaxy Cheapo, Galaxy Average, Galaxy Toxic?? It’s killing the exclusivity of what the Galaxy S started out as. HTC One X+: The One X was HTC reinventing itself from a company that had tasted success and lost its way. The One series got it all right and brought HTC right back into the reckoning. Then came the One X+ and while good, it was just an evolutionary leg-up to the original and didn’t break any new ground. And that’s where HTC needs to be careful. This is a company that is no longer a fringe player. It’s always
counted with the big guys and it needs to make some big moves. Evolutionary upgrades are the best way of ruining all that HTC has done. The HTC One X 2013 version must once again make us all stand up and applaud. It’ll need brand new outer material not used by anyone else (also to make sure that its Android line-up looks different from its Win Phone 8 line-up), it’ll need a camera with tricks no one else has yet thought of, it’ll need to set a record for storage (128GB should be the aim) and it needs to take its partnership with DropBox to the next level. iPhone 5: The iPhone 5 is a great phone, but it didn’t do enough to make it a ‘great phone by Apple’. It tick-marked all the points it should
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have covered but didn’t tick-mark all the points that we didn’t think of. And that’s what has made Apple the industry leader it is – to boldly go where no phone company has gone before and give us what we didn’t know we needed. The iPhone 5 is a brilliantly engineered product that ended up with issues with its tragically comic mapping service, the fact that some apps didn’t look right on its new stretched-
out screen and that the new connector has put a bit of a dent in all the add-ons that people have built up as a collection over the years. The iPhone 5S/6 will need to start with a totally new look – it can’t keep re-tweaking it current design anymore. Wireless charging done the Apple way, NFC so that phones finally are used as a gateway for payments and an optical zoom on its camera would be the other much needed features. And then it needs to do what it’s always done. Put in one feature that makes everyone of us sit there with our jaws dropped! That one thing that makes the competition look silly! That one thing that makes Apple the formidable innovation leader that it is! Come on Apple – give us your best shot with the next one. Steve wants it, we want it! Samsung Galaxy Note 2: When you invent a category of your own, you pretty much own it. That’s the good news for the Galaxy Note 1 and 2. Samsung cocked a snook at all those who mocked it for their over zealously big-screened wonders and went on to sell them in millions. Today, due to the Galaxy Note – there is a whole new war of the Phablets being run at premium and economy levels that have rebooted the industry itself. But the Note has a problem at hand. The Note 3 cannot be bigger!
There are rumours of a 6.3 inch Note 3 and if true, would sound the death knell for this biggie. There is a limit to what a phone can expand out to be. Even 5.5 inches is a bit of a struggle and anything above will end up being ridiculous. The Note 3 will need to shine in all things, including intelligent usage of that massive screen, an industry-defying display resolution, taking the S Pen technology to magical levels, putting in a set of business applications (its key market) and services that no one else can offer, lighter in weight and on the pocket, a hybrid keyboard
add-on that makes this into the world’s smallest hybrid device and most importantly, a battery life that really makes it a phone and tablet that gives you a full day’s use of both. Nokia PureView 808: Nokia made news all of 2012. Most of it for reasons that they weren’t proud of, but some of it for exactly what the company has stood for. A product or innovation that sets industry standards. And the PureView 808 was exactly that and more. A camera phone with such exemplary optics and results that it made professional DSLR looks slightly sheepish.
I’ve seen printed-out posters of images shot by a 808 that have been as large as 50 feet. I know of people who’ve bought a 808 and never even put a SIM card in it – and use it only as a camera. The next Pureview doesn’t need to do much. It needs to look a little better, look a little slimmer, improve on its zoom dramatically, come with a 1080P screen so that the images you take look amazing as soon as you take them and come with some software that makes in-camera editing much easier than it is now. Sony Xperia S: Sony did it. It broke from an ill-conceived partnership with Ericsson. But what it hasn’t done is to break from the heavy baggage of that partnership. While we see some seriously good phones from Sony, we still aren’t seeing what this company is capable of. The Xperia S was the rare phone that stood out. And the rumours of the S moving on to becoming the
Sony Yuga next year are strong. This phone will have a whopping 128GB built-in storage, a 5-inch full HD screen, a quad-core processor, 3GB RAM, a 16-megapixel camera, 3000mAh battery and a glass back. That would make it one of the most powerful devices in the market. Google LG Nexus 4: What can I say? A phone that has the specs, features, hardware and looks that are better than anything the market offers, and a price that is almost half of the others! Only Google can pull off such an anomaly. But this phone also marks the return of a previous champion, LG. While they did very well with even the LG 4X HD, it’s the Nexus 4 that has put them back on the charts. And for the next Google LG Nexus partnership – they need to keep it simple. Whatever is the top-of-the-line phone in the
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market – beat the specs of that by a margin of at least 20 per cent, make the phone look good, add the latest raw Android OS with the guarantee
that the next OS iteration will come on that phone first and then price it at $199. Then watch the competition groan, crumble and die. Nokia Lumia 920: The Lumia 920 is apparently sold out wherever it’s been released. Even if we discount the fact that it may be in short supply, you have to understand that its demand is phenomenal. And for good reasons. Nokia has had enough time to work out what a Windows Phone 8 device should really be all about. They’ve introduced wireless charging, making it simple to use and the screen looks brilliant. They’ve closely merged the outside and the inside of the phone and tweaked the feature set enough to make a Nokia
with WP 8 different from any other phone with the same OS. The next flagship Lumia (Lumia 1000?) should have the same camera as the Pureview 808 as part of the phone, should be lighter, have a 5-inch version with a staggeringly dense PPI, add on a slot for external storage and have enough supply to satisfy the demand. Then it should sit back and watch its market share rise dramatically like the phoenix. BlackBerry 10: I’m betting big on this one as I’ve played around a bit with the BB 10OS and find it exceptional. If they pull it off then something very big will happen in the market. Think of the millions that have stuck to BB as their phone. Each and every one of them will upgrade to the new BB10 device. That’s millions and millions in sales for RIM. Could bring them right into contention in the top three.
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Cyber security: paradigm shifts In 2013 and beyond, conflicts between nations, organizations, and individuals will play a key role in the cyber world. Nations or organized groups of individuals will continue to use cyber tactics in an attempt to damage or destroy the secure information or funds of its targets
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ymantec have announced cyber security predictions for 2013. Most of us at Symantec tend to be fact-based, datadriven individuals. However, predicting the future always involves a bit of speculation. To derive our predictions for 2013, we began by talking to hundreds of security experts at Symantec to gather their thoughts and ideas. Then, we peer-reviewed these ideas, argued a lot, and boiled it all down to a handful of predictions that we felt would provide real insight into where we and believe the threat landscape is going. Cyber conflict becomes the norm: In d e v i c e 2013 and beyond, conflicts between nations, or- identifiers to ganizations, and individuals will play a key role c y b e r c r i m i n a l s . Madware—which sneaks in the cyber world. onto a user device when they Espionage can be successful and also easidownload an app—often sends pop-up alerts to ly deniable when conducted online. Any nation the notification bar, adds icons, changes browsstate not understanding this has been given er settings, and gathers personal informamany examples in the last two years. Nations tion. or organized groups of individuals will continue In just the past nine months, the number of to use cyber tactics in an attempt to damage or apps including the most aggressive forms of destroy the secure information or funds of its madware has increased by 210 percent. Betargets. In 2013, we will see the cyber equivacause location and device information can be lent of saber rattling, where nation states, orlegitimately collected by advertising networks— ganizations, and even groups of individuals use as it helps them target users with appropriate cyber attacks to show their strength and “send advertising—we expect increased use in mada message”. ware as more companies seek to drive revenue Additionally, we expect more attacks on ingrowth through mobile ads. Monetization of sodividuals and non-government organizations, cial networks introduces new dangers: As consuch as supporters of political issues and sumers, we place a high level of trust in social members of minority groups in conflict. This media—from the sharing of personal details, to type of targeting is currently seen when hackspending money on game credits, to gifting tivist groups are aggravated by an individual items to friends. As these networks start to find or company. Ransomware is the new scareware: As fake antivirus begins to fade as a criminal enterprise, a new and harsher model will continue to emerge. Enter ransomware. Ransomware goes beyond attempting to fool its victims; it attempts to intimidate and bully them. While this “business model” has been tried before, it suffered from the same limitations of real life kidnapping: there was never a good way to collect the money. Cybercriminals have now discovered a solution to this problem: using online payment methods. In 2013, attackers will use more professional ransom screens, up the emotional stakes to motivate their victims, and use methods that make it harder to recover once compromised. Madware adds to the insanity: Mobile adware, or “madware,” is a nuisance that disrupts the user experience and can potentially expose location details, contact information,
As eWallet technology becomes more widely used, it will become yet another platform that hackers will attempt to exploit. Mobile devices will become more valuable as mobile carriers and retail stores transition to mobile payments and continue defining new product frontiers. Just as we saw the Firesheep threat emerge to take advantage of Wi-Fi users
new ways to monetize their platforms by allowing members to buy and send real gifts, the growing social spending trend also provides cybercriminals with new ways to lay the groundwork for attack. Symantec anticipates an increase in malware attacks that steal payment credentials in social networks and trick users into providing payment details, and other personal and potentially valuable information, to fake social networks. This may include fake gift notifications and email messages requesting home addresses and other personal information. As users shift to mobile and cloud, so will attackers: Attackers will go where users go, and this continues to be to mobile devices and the cloud. It should come as no surprise that mobile platforms and cloud services will be likely targets for attacks and breaches in 2013. The rapid rise of Android malware in 2012 confirms this. For example, as eWallet technology becomes more widely used, it will become yet another platform that hackers will attempt to exploit. Mobile devices will become more valuable as mobile carriers and retail stores transition to mobile payments and continue defining new product frontiers. Just as we saw the Firesheep threat emerge to take advantage of Wi-Fi users, we will see criminals use malware to hijack payment information from people in retail environments. Some payment systems are widely used by technical novices and may have vulnerabilities that allow information to be stolen. 2013 will also press the limits of the SSL mobile infrastructure. The increase in mobile computing will strain the SSL mobile infrastructure in 2013 and reveal a core issue: Internet activity on mobile browsers is not subject to proper SSL certificate handling. To exacerbate the problem, much of this mobile Internet usage is being handled by unsecure mobile applications, which brings additional risk to the table, such as man-in-the-middle attacks. n
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US unveils new rules to protect kids online The FTC’s review of the rule has been going on since 2010, and has been aimed at making sure the rule evolves along with technology, specif ically with regards to mobile devices and social media
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he United States Federal Trade Commission announced today that it has adopted final amendments to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (otherwise known as COPPA Rule). According to the Commission, parents are to have greater control over the personal info that websites and online services may collect from children under the age of 13. The FTC’s review of the rule has been going on since 2010, and has been aimed at making sure the rule evolves along with technology, specifically with regards to mobile devices and social media. “The Commission takes seriously its mandate to protect children’s online privacy in this everchanging technological landscape,” said FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz. “I am confident that the amendments to the COPPA Rule strike the right balance between protecting innovation that will provide rich and engaging content for children, and ensuring that parents are informed and involved in their children’s online activities.” Here’s the list of final amendments: Modify the list of “personal information” that cannot be collected without parental notice and consent, clarifying that this category includes geolocation information, photographs, and videos;
Offer companies a streamlined, voluntary and transparent approval process for new ways of getting parental consent; Close a loophole that allowed kid-directed apps and websites to permit third parties to collect personal information from children through plug-ins without parental notice and consent; Extend coverage in some of those cases so that the third parties doing the additional collection also have to comply with COPPA; Extend the COPPA Rule to cover persistent identifiers that can recognize users over time and across different websites or online services, such as IP addresses and mobile device IDs; Strengthen data security protections by requiring that covered website operators and online service providers take reasonable steps to release children’s personal information only to companies that are capable of keeping it secure and confidential; Require that covered website operators adopt reasonable procedures for data retention and deletion; and Strengthen the FTC’s oversight of self-regulatory safe harbor programs. The final rule also comes with some modified definitions. For example, the definition of “operator” has been updated to make clear that the rule covers a child-directed site or service that
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integrates with outside services. This includes plug-ins or ad networks that collect info from visitors. It does not extend liability to platforms like Google Play or the App Store. The definition of a “website or online serivce directed to children” is expanded to include plug-ins and ad networks that have “actual knowledge” that they are collecting personal info through a child-directed website or online service. The definition of “personal information” now includes geolocation info, in addition to photos, videos, and audio files that contain a child’s image or voice. The definition can also be used to recognize users over time and across different sites or online services. On other hand, tech giants such as Apple, Facebook and Google scored a victory in the Federal Trade Commission’s new rules governing kids’ online privacy that were announced. Federal regulators exempted app purveyors such as Apple's App Store and Google Play from having to police apps. Providers of plug-ins such as Facebook with its “Like” button were also exempted. According to the new rules, they will only be responsible if they have "actual knowledge" that an online service or app is not complying with the new rules governing how they are allowed to collect information from kids. Rule changes that the FTC proposed in August would have made the tech giants more responsible for apps that violate the rules. But the tech companies engaged in heavy lobbying efforts in recent months to dial back the proposals, arguing they would stifle innovation and hamper economic growth. During a news conference Wednesday, FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said regulators never meant to include app stores and simply clarified their proposals to reflect that. As a result, Apple and Google will not have to make sure the apps in their stores comply with children’s privacy rules that require kids' apps and websites to get consent from parents before tracking kids' online behavior or gathering kids' photos, videos or location. Children's advocates had pushed for more regulation of technology companies that distribute children's apps.
Federal regulators exempted app purveyors such as Apple's App Store and Google Play from having to police apps. Providers of plug-ins such as Facebook with its “Like” button were also exempted
"The industry definitely did the best it could to lobby to water down the FTC's proposed updates. But what was interesting is that they all took that lobbying in different directions – each group wanted someone else to have the responsibility. The app developers passed the buck to the app stores. The app stores passed the buck to the advertisers. In the end, no one in the industry at all was willing to step up and take responsibility for protecting kids," said James Steyer, CEO and founder of advocacy group Common Sense Media. "Fortunately, the FTC struck an appropriate balance." n
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ave you ever noticed leaders spend a lot of time talking about talent, only to make the same mistakes over and over again? Few things in business are as costly and disruptive as unexpected talent departures. With all the emphasis on leadership development, I always find it interesting so many companies seem to struggle with being able to retain their top talent. In today’s column, I’ll share some research, observations, and insights on how to stop the talent door from revolving. Ask any CEO if they have a process for retaining and developing talent and they’ll quickly answer in the affirmative. They immediately launch into a series of soundbites about the quality of their talent initiatives, the number of high-potentials in the boxes, blah, blah, blah. As with most things in the corporate world, there is too much process built upon theory and not nearly enough practice built on experience. When examining the talent at any organization look at the culture, not the rhetoric – look at the results, not the commentary about potential. Despite some of the delusional perspective in the corner office, when we interview their employees, here’s what they tell us: • More than 30 per cent believe they’ll be working someplace else inside of 12 months. • More than 40 per cent don’t respect the person they report to. • More than 50 per cent say they have different values than their employer. • More than 60 per cent don’t feel their career goals are aligned with the plans their employers have for them. • More than 70 per cent don’t feel appreciated or valued by their employer. So, for all those employers who have everything under control, you better start re-evaluating. There is an old saying that goes; “Employees don’t quit working for companies, they quit working for their bosses.” Regardless of tenure, position, title, etc., employees who voluntarily leave, generally do so out of some type of perceived disconnect with leadership. Here’s the thing – employees who are challenged, engaged, valued, and rewarded (emotionally, intellectually & financially) rarely leave, and more importantly, they perform at very high levels. However if you miss any of these critical areas, it’s only a matter of time until they head for the elevator. Following are the reasons your talent will leave you – smart leaders don’t make these mistakes: You failed to unleash their passions: Smart companies align employee passions with corporate pursuits. Human nature makes it very difficult to walk away from areas of passion. Fail to understand this and you’ll unknowingly be encouraging employees to seek their passions elsewhere. You failed to challenge their intellect: Smart people don’t like to live in a dimly lit world of boredom. If you don’t challenge people’s minds, they’ll leave you for someone/someplace that will. You failed to engage their creativity: Great talent is wired to improve, enhance, and add value. They are built to change and innovate. They need to contribute by putting their fingerprints on design. Smart leaders don’t place people in boxes – they free them from boxes. What’s the use in having a racehorse if you don’t let them run? You failed to develop their skills: Leadership isn’t a destination – it’s a continuum. No matter how smart or talented a person is, there’s always room for growth, development, and continued maturation. If you place restrictions on a person’s abil-
Reasons top talent will leave you So many companies seem to struggle with being able to retain their top talent; employees who are challenged, engaged, valued, and rewarded (emotionally, intellectually & f inancially) rarely leave, and more importantly, they perform at very high levels. However, if you miss any of these critical areas, it’s only a matter of time until they head for the elevator ity to grow, they’ll leave you for someone who won’t. You failed to give them a voice: Talented people have good thoughts, ideas, insights, and observations. If you don’t listen to them, I can guarantee you someone else will. You failed to care: Sure, people come to work for a paycheck, but that’s not the only reason. In fact, many studies show it’s not even the most important reason. If you fail to care about people at a human
Leadership isn’t a destination – it’s a continuum. No matter how smart or talented a person is, there’s always room for growth, development, and continued maturation. If you place restrictions on a person’s ability to grow, they’ll leave you for someone who won’t
level, at an emotional level, they’ll eventually leave you regardless of how much you pay them. You failed to lead: Businesses don’t fail, products don’t
fail, projects don’t fail, and teams don’t fail – leaders fail. The best testament to the value of leadership is what happens in its absence – very little. If you fail to lead, your talent will seek leadership elsewhere. You failed to recognize their contributions: The best leaders don’t take credit – they give it. Failing to recognize the contributions of others is not only arrogant and disingenuous, but it’s as also just as good as asking them to leave. You failed to increase their responsibility: You cannot confine talent – try to do so and you’ll either devolve into mediocrity, or force your talent seek more fertile ground. People will gladly accept a huge workload as long as an increase in responsibility comes along with the performance and execution of said workload. You failed to keep your commitments: Promises made are worthless, but promises kept are invaluable. If you break trust with those you lead you will pay a very steep price. Leaders not accountable to their people will eventually be held accountable by their people. If leaders spent less time trying to retain people, and more time trying to understand them, care for them, invest in them, and lead them well, the retention thing would take care of itself. n
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China toughens restrictions on Internet use Any entity providing Internet access, including over fixed-line or mobile phones, “should when signing agreements with users or confirming provision of services, demand that users provide true information about their identities,” Chinese Standing Committee ordered
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he Chinese government issued new rules requiring Internet users to provide their real names to service providers, while assigning Internet companies greater responsibility for deleting forbidden postings and reporting them to the authorities. The decision came as government censors have sharply stepped up restrictions on China’s international Internet traffic in recent weeks. The restrictions are making it harder for businesses to protect commercial secrets and for individuals to view overseas Web sites that the Chinese Communist Party deems politically sensitive. The new regulations, issued by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, allow internet users to continue to adopt pseudonyms for their online postings, but only if they first provide their real names to service providers, a measure that could chill some of the vibrant discourse on the country’s Twitter-like microblogs. The authorities periodically detain and even jail Internet users for politically sensitive comments, such as calls for a multiparty democracy or allegations of impropriety by local officials. Any entity providing Internet access, including over fixed-line or mobile phones, “should when signing agreements with users or confirming provision of services, demand that users provide true information about their identities,” the Standing Committee ordered. In recent weeks, Internet users in China have exposed a series of sexual and financial scandals that have led to the resignations or dismissals of at least 10 local officials. International news media have also published a series of reports in recent months on the accumulation of wealth by the family members of China’s leaders, and some Web sites carrying such reports, including Bloomberg’s and the English- and Chinese-language sites of The New York Times, have been assiduously blocked, while Internet comments about them have been swiftly deleted. The regulations issued build on a series of similar administrative guidelines and municipal rules issued over the past year. China’s mostly private Internet service providers have been slow to comply with them, fearing the reactions of their customers. The Standing Committee’s decision has much greater legal force,
and puts far more pressure on Chinese Internet providers to comply m o r e quickly and more comprehensively, Internet specialists said. In what appeared to be an attempt to make the decision more palatable to the Chinese public, the Standing Committee also included a mandate for businesses in China to be more cautious in gathering and protecting electronic data. “Nowadays on the Internet there are very serious problems with citizens’ personal electronic information being recklessly collected, used without approval, illegally disclosed, and even traded and sold,” Li Fei, a deputy director of the Standing Committee’s legislative affairs panel, said at a news conference in Beijing. “There are also a large number of cases of invasive attacks on information systems to steal personal electronic information, as well as lawbreaking on the Internet through swindles and through defaming and slandering others.” Mr. Li denied that the government was seeking to prevent the exposure of corruption. “When citizens exercise these rights according to the law, no organization or individual can use any reason or excuse to interfere, and cannot suppress them or exact revenge,” he said. “At the same time, when citizens exercise their rights, including through use of the Internet, they should stay within the bounds of the Constitution and the laws, and must not harm the legitimate rights and interests of the state, society, the collective or of other citizens.” A spokesman for the National People’s Congress said that that 145 members of the Standing Committee voted in favor of the new rules, with 5 abstaining and 1 voting against them. China’s censors have begun blocking more foreign Web sites and, in recent weeks, have sharply stepped up the blocking of virtual private networks, or VPNs. A VPN is a tool for encrypted computer communication that is
widely used by businesses and individuals in China to protect against prying by the government and state-owned enterprises, and to circumvent China’s blocking of a long and lengthening list of overseas Web sites that cover subjects the government considers politically sensitive. The Chinese government has been experimenting over the past two years with ways to identify and block VPNs, said Xiao Qiang, the leader of a team of Chinese Internet researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. But the government did not begin deploying that capability on a considerable scale until September, and it has stepped up its use of blocking since then, particularly in the
Nowadays on the Internet there are very serious problems with citizens’ personal electronic information being recklessly collected, used without approval, illegally disclosed, and even traded and sold, said Li Fei, a deputy director of the Standing Committee
weeks leading up to the Communist Party’s National Congress in early November, he said. Although many had expected the blocking of Web sites and VPNs to recede after the party congress, that has not happened. Mr. Xiao said that the Chinese blocking of VPNs was “technically savvy and politically self-destructive,” in that it may allow the authorities to more effectively monitor communications and interfere with the dissemination of politically sensitive information, but at a high price in terms of antagonizing computer users across China. n
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Europe falling behind US in telecoms: CEO Telenor
year, even as others struggle with a shrinking top line, and the company has one of the highest valuations in Europe with a 2012 enterprise value to core earnings (EBITDA) ratio of around 6, above the sector's average of around 4.8, according to analysts. Telenor, with about 150 million customers, has recorded unexpectedly quick profit growth so far this year as it managed to raise prices for some of its data services to compensate for weak voice and text revenue. With Europe struggling, much of Telenor's focus will be on Asia, where it will consider new markets, like Myanmar, and aims to bring its Indian unit to profit after years of deep losses. The company recently downsized its Indian business when it had to reapply for its licenses and opted not to buy some of the most expensive permits.
Telenor has been a unique success story in Europe this year, with its shares rising 17 percent against a 10 percent fall in industry index, thanks to its focus on relatively solid Nordic economies and Asia's growth markets
European 4G network frequencies are too expensive, the investment cost is high and operators, particularly in countries affected by drawn out recessions, lack the pricing power to make the investment worthwhile, CEO Telenor Jon Fredrik Baksaas said in an interview
vantages the U.S. economy could get from rapidly adopting a technology which provides faster services and allows users to watch videos and surf the internet on the move. "In Europe, you have Brussels setting the direction but you also have 27 (European Union)
Although India said it may re-auction some permits, particularly for the key Mumbai region, Baksaas said the price would have to go "much lower" for the firm to stay. Telenor will also focus on working with Vimpelcom where it may be turning a corner after years of feuding with both management and Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman's Altimo, the other top shareholder. "I think history has proven us right .... but we also know that this is water under the bridge," Baksaas said. "We have settled and we now have to move on and focus on operating issues in order to deleverage the (Vimpelcom) balance sheet." Telenor has been sharply critical of Russia-focused Vimpelcom for its takeover of Wind and Orascom, deals it considered too expensive, and has been in a shareholder battle with Altimo. Telenor now holds 43 percent of Vimpelcom
countries putting it in operation. If that could have been done in a simpler way, you could have geared up investments faster," he said. Telenor has been a unique success story in Europe this year, with its shares rising 17 percent against a 10 percent fall in industry index, thanks to its focus on relatively solid Nordic economies and Asia's growth markets. Indeed, revenues will rise over 3 percent this
while Altimo has almost 48 percent after both boosted their stakes this year. Baksaas said Telenor was a long-term investor in Vimpelcom but would be open to selling if the right offer was made. "If ... there will be offers down the line, we will of course take a look at that knowing that the mathematics on the ownership side stands as it does," Baksaas said. n
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urope has fallen behind the United States in mobile telephone network development because its regulatory framework is fragmented and does not provide incentives for investment, the head of Norwegian telecoms group Telenor told Reuters. European fourth-generation (4G) network frequencies are too expensive, the investment cost is high and operators, particularly in countries affected by drawn out recessions, lack the pricing power to make the investment worthwhile, Chief Executive Officer Telenor Jon Fredrik Baksaas said in an interview. "Maybe regulators should be more concerned about incentives for the next layer of technology rather than being single-mindedly concerned about the next euro cent reduction in termination rates," Baksaas said, referring to European regulators' drive to cut costs for cash-strapped consumers. Baksaas pointed to 4G license auction in the Netherlands, where the state raised a biggerthan-expected 3.8 billion euros ($5 billion), but market leader KPN immediately said it would cut dividends to meet the cost. "The United States moved to 4G so much faster, basically overtaking Europe, and that is a result of national implementation in a big market," he said, highlighting the competitive ad-
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Etisalat Group CEO elected to GSMA Board GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, spanning more than 220 countries and uniting nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators with more than 230 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies Islamabad: Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Group, Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar has been elected to the GSM Association (GSMA) Board. Mr. Julfar joins 24 other global CEOs and senior executives reflecting the largest operator groups as well as smaller independent operators with global representation. GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, spanning more than 220 countries and uniting nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators with more than 230 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in industry sectors such as financial services, healthcare, media, transport and utilities. The GSMA also produces industryleading events such as the Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Expo.
Mr. Julfar will work with the GSMA Board and the GSMA to help shape the
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future of mobile communications and develop a new future for the individuals, organizations and governments throughout the world. Mr. Julfar will serve on the GSMA Board for a twoyear term from January 2013 through December 2014. “Group CEO Etisalat, Ahmad AbdulkarimJulfar’s representation on the GSMA Board is a source of great pride for the whole Etisalat family”, said President & CEO PTCL. “This success is a testament to Mr. Julfar’s dynamic role as the leader of one of most vibrant and fastest growing telecommunications companies in the world”, he added further. As Group CEO of Etisalat, Mr. Julfar is driving Etisalat to have a direct impact on the social and economic growth of the 18 international markets it operates in. His role includes the delivery of the Group’s commercial, technological, financial, business development and overall organizational goals as Etisalat strives to become one of the world's top telecommunications companies. "It's a pleasure to welcome Mr. Julfar to the GSMA Board, and we are all looking forward to working with Etisalat Group on the GSMA's efforts to advance the strategic priorities of the operator community," said Franco Bernabe, Chairman of the GSMA Board and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Telecom Italia Group. Etisalat operates across Asia, the Middle East and Africa, catering to consumers, businesses, international telecommunication companies, ISPs, content providers and mobile operators. Etisalat has been at the forefront of the Middle East's technological revolution and for close to forty years, the company has developed and grown to become one of the world's leading telecommunications companies. n
Mobilink gets over 9,000 mobile stations Technical and Regional teams are consistently working toin Pakistan Mobilink’s wards expanding connectivity through state-of-the-art technology and
Islamabad: Mobilink continues to expand its voice and data network across the coun-
cellular services to the remotest regions across the country
try by rapidly establishing new cell-sites to reach out to numerous under-served regions across Pakistan, the company has said in a press release. Mobilink’s investment in network expansion is a continuous endeavour, with 2012 alone having seen over 8 percent growth in cell sites, with the organization’s cellular network now spread over 9,000 sites, the state-
ment said. The cell sites have primarily been set up for improving voice and data capacity and catering to the growing communication needs. Ramy Reyad Kamel, Chief Technical Officer Mobilink highlighted that “This expansion activity is in line with the commitment made by Mr. Rashid Khan, our President & CEO at
the beginning of 2012 to provide the best cellular experience to our customers. Over the course of the year, we have optimized our infrastructure investment thus enhancing the coverage and capacities of Mobilink’s network across Pakistan.We are committed to consistently enriching our network with newer technologies and services, while continuing to expand our network outreach across Pakistan.” In a meeting with Prime Minister of Pakistan recently, VimpleCom’s management has pledged an investment of $1 billion into Mobilink’s network reach and technology. The investment will further strengthen Mobilink’s unparalleled growth over the last few years, with the operator continuing to build on its vision to reshape lives through connectivity. Mobilink’s Technical and Regional teams are consistently working towards expanding connectivity through state-of-the-art technology and cellular services to the remotest regions across the country. n
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Women dressed as nurses promoting the Headquake sound app pose with Dino the dinosaur promoting the Logistopedia logistics company.
A participant displays phone accessories made by Mobstyle.
Hostesses of Appeal Brazil offer iPad cases at CES.
Huawei production specialist Scott Murphy shows soon-to-be released new smartphones Huawei Ascend Mate at the 2013 CES Show.
Netgear Vice President of Engineering David Henry holds up a VueZone wireless camera.
A model stands next to a display of new large format Samsung televisions during the 2013 International CES.
Chris Parkinson, a Golden-i software manager, demonstrates a wireless, wearable computer by Kopin at the Verizon booth.
Woman uses The Fitbug pedometer, system uplinks to a web site to track your walking steps, distance, diet and fitness activities.
Woman works out while her pulse and callories are monitored by PerformTech earbuds made by Valencell at the Las Vegas.
Vietnam's Tosy Disco Robots are displayed at the 2013 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
France's Filippe Monteiro Da Rocha displays wireless comuter connected forks, controlling appetite and collecting dining information.
A football helmet equipped with pressure sensors that sends data to a remote computer using Verizon technology.
International
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Event
Models share information on their mobile device at the 2013 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center
An attendee rests on a Sealy iComfort bed during the 2013 International CES at the Las Vegas.
Kranthi Vistakula models a Climaware Contrast Relief System elbow wrap by Dharma Innovations, during the CES.
Moti Elmaliach writes on a display using Panasonic's electronic touch pen at the Panasonic booth at the International CES in Las Vegas.
Showgoers check out Archos Android tablets at the Archos booth at CES.
Claire Hobean, operations manager for Re-Time, models the Re-Timer during the CES.
The Lockitron by Apigy Inc. The Lockitron retrofits over a deadbolt door lock and the door can be locked and unlocked with a smartphone.
A PulseWallet system is demonstrated during the CES. The device identifies registered users by unique finger vein patterns.
Samsung representative Lindsey Hughes stands by Samsung's T9000 WiFi enabled refrigerator at the 2013 International CES.
Attendees inspect Intel UltraBooks during the 2013 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Attendees walk through the Sony booth during the 2013 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The world's biggest CES is currently in full swing at Las Vegas. Check out the tech highlights from Samsung, Intel, HP, Panasonic
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Irfan Khan
okia led the wireless revolution in the 1990s and set its sights on ushering the world into the era of smartphones. Nokia's smartphones had hit the market too early, before consumers or wireless networks were ready to make use of them. And when the iPhone emerged, Nokia failed to recognize the threat. Now that the smartphone era has arrived, the company is racing to roll out competitive products as its stock price collapses and thousands of employees lose their jobs. Nokia ended a 14-year-run as the world's largest maker of mobile phones, as rival Samsung Electronics Co. took the top spot and makers of cheaper phones ate into Nokia's sales volumes. Nokia's share of mobile phone sales fell to 21% in the first quarter from 40.4% a year earlier, according to market data from IDC. The impact was evident in Nokia's financial report for the first three months of the year. It swung to a loss of €929 million, or $1.1 billion, from a profit of €344 million a year earlier. It had revenue of €7.4 billion, down 29%, and it sold 82.7 million phones, down 24%. Nokia reports its second-quarter results and has already said losses in its mobile phone business will be worse than expected. Its shares currently trade at €1.37 a share, down 64% so far this year. Nokia is losing ground despite spending $40 billion on research and development over the past decade—nearly four times what Apple spent in the same period. And Nokia clearly saw where the industry it dominated was heading. But its research effort was fragmented by internal rivalries and disconnected from the operations that actually brought phones to market. Instead of producing hit devices or software, the binge of spending has left the company with at least two abandoned operating systems and a pile of patents that analysts now say are worth around $6
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billion, the bulk of the value of the entire company. Nokia still is struggling to turn its good ideas into products. Nokia lovers and trusted customers burst out at last after repeatedly ignored and dodged by Nokia care centre representatives in Pakistan; FLARE received hundreds of complaints, the complainants want us to publish these complaints and queries in magazine to show the dark side of Nokia customer care centres, where people gets pain instead of relief. Following are some complaints: I’m Suleman Sajjad, I had purchased a Nokia Asha 303 mobile phone few months back. The mobile phone was having the problem of hanging at one page during internet surfing. Recently, it so happened, and I tried to restart the mobile phone. The moment I switched it off, it was not responding any key after that and till now the mobile cannot be switched on.
Nokia lovers and trusted customers burst out at last after repeatedly ignored and dodged by Nokia care centre representatives in Pakistan; FLARE received hundreds of complaints, the complainants want us to publish these complaints and queries in magazine to show the dark side of Nokia customer care centres, where people gets pain instead of relief
When the mobile had been submitted to Nokia care, they asked us to wait for two hours, then one day, then two days and finally they said the mobile
had to be sent to head office and would take 8-10 days. And finally I had taken my mobile handset back and now I decided to lodge a complaint in FLARE for the ignorance and lethargic of the service center. They prefer to do services for paid service customer rather than warranty service customers like me. If at all they cannot provide warranty services, why the company claims for warranty for one year for their products? This can be taken seriously against Nokia who provides false claims as warranty, and the service center for not providing prompt service, reception to the customers. I’m Qadir Khan, I bought Nokia Asha 200 but the cell phone was getting hang during internet surfing, whenever I contacted Nokia care centre, every time they gave it back and said your cell phone is okay , but now my cellphone doesn't switch on and my warranty period also expired during this process; after giving my cellphone to Nokia centre they said to contact after 5 or 6 days, when I contacted they replied my phone is okay, but it wasn’t. Well I was really shocked. Still I’m facing the same problem and they say they can't repair. I decided to go for a brand who cares for their customers but no more Nokia. I’m Danish Aziz, truly this is pathetic Nokia is producing; they just can’t keep up at all. I thought of the Asha series as entry smart phones for kids, but now I think kids can’t even do anything with it. I request mobile lovers to stay away from it. I bought it in September this year and got damaged in November. Suddenly the camera gets frozen when you launch the camera app, then the phone never comes on until you take out the battery for a restart. Worst thing was, when I took it to Nokia care centre, I was told they have been waiting for my approval to change the panel. I had to take the phone away from them for now, still thinking what the hell I should do with this Nokia Phone. n
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Telepedia
Smart sensors to build clever machines
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Touch technologies may mean that tomorrow's smartphones and tablets will be gateways to a tactile world. Haptics feedback techniques, infrared and pressure-sensitive technologies will enable a user to brush a finger over the screen and feel the simulated touch of a fabric
he year-end prediction lists from technology companies and research firms are -- let's be honest -- in good part thinly-disguised marketing pitches. These are the big trends for next year, and -- surprise -- our products are tailored-made to help you turn those trends into moneymakers. But IBM has a bit different spin on this year-end ritual. It taps its top researchers worldwide to come up with a list of five technologies likely to advance remarkably over the next five years. The company calls the list, "Five In Five," with the latest released. And this year's nominees are innovations in computing sensors for touch, sight, hearing, taste and smell. Touch technologies may mean that tomorrow's smartphones and tablets will be gateways to a tactile world. Haptics feedback techniques, infrared and pressure-sensitive technologies, IBM researchers predict, will enable a user to brush a finger over the screen and feel the simulated touch of a fabric, its texture and weave. The feel of objects can be translated into unique vibration patterns, as if the tactile version of fingerprints or voice patterns. The resulting vibration patterns will simulate a different feel, for example, of fabrics like wool, cotton or silk. The coming sensor innovations, said Bernard Meyerson, an IBM scientist whose current title is vice president of innovation, are vital ingredients in what is called cognitive computing. The idea is that in the future computers will be increasingly able to sense, adapt and learn, in their way. That vision, of course, has been around for a long time -- a pursuit of artificial intelligence researchers for decades. But there seem to be two reasons that cognitive computing is something IBM, and others,
are taking seriously these days. The first is that the vision is becoming increasingly possible to achieve, though formidable obstacles remain. The other reason is a looming necessity. When I asked Dr. Meyerson why the five-year prediction exercise was a worthwhile use of researchers' time, he replied that it helped focus thinking. Actually, his initial reply was a techie epigram. "In a nutshell," he said, "seven nanometers."
Dr. Meyerson's was talking about the physical limits on the width of semiconductor circuits, when they can't be shrunk any further. Today, the most advanced chips have circuits 22 nanometers in width. Next comes 14 nanometers, then 10 and then 7, said Dr. Meyerson. "We have three more cycles, and then the biggest knobs for improving performance in silicon are gone." he said. "You have to change the architecture, use a different approach." "With a cognitive computer, you train it rather than program it," Dr. Meyerson said. The cognitive path, if successful, would raise a machine's level of recognition of the world. Today, computers mimic human intelligence with brute force, collecting a vast amount of data and then sifting for statistical patterns that identify specific words, images, biological or chemical compounds. But a cognitive computer, Dr. Meyerson said, would "not have to go for all the fine detail, but go up and see the interesting thing. This is about moving computing way, way up from where it is today." Cognitive computers, by learning some tricks from the way human brains compute, could in theory deliver big energy savings. "We need to make the machines much, much more efficient," Dr. Meyerson said. n
Your smartphone becomes car keys
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Engineers at South Korean automobile company invented a new system that will allow your smartphone to double as your car keys, and the technology will be made available to buyers within two years
eep misplacing your car keys? Just wave your smartphone to unlock the door! Engineers at South Korean automobile major Hyundai have invented a new system that will allow your smartphone to double as your car keys, and the technology will be made available to buyers within two years. Rather than using Bluetooth, the system by Hyundai uses wireless Near Field Communication (NFC), allowing you to lock and unlock the car by waving your phone over a small tag on the car window. Inside the car, you place the phone on a pad in the centre console that wirelessly charges it while the content is synced and streamed to the car's infotainment system and touchscreen. The system can also store in-car preferences, including radio stations, seating positions and even mirror adjustment – with multiple profiles able to be saved for different drivers. The system was demonstrated on a concept version of Hyundai's popular i30 in Germany. Hyundai said developing the system was part of the carmaker's aim of producing technology for the mainstream consumer, website
carsguide.com.au reported.
"With this technology, Hyundai is able to harness "The Connectivity Concept show- the all-in-one functionality of existing smartphone cases Hyundai's philosophy of making tomorrow's technology and integrating it into everyday drivtechnology accessible to a wide range of cus- ing in a seamless fashion," Rushforth said. n tomers," Hyundai Motor Europe chief operating officer Allan Rushforth said.
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mobile screen when someone is at the door, or switch a video call from a smartphone to their living room TV. Using the Qeo modules, developers can also create cross-device and crossOS applications in a more straightforward manner, without having to care about the diversity of languages, OS, or environments, according to Technicolor. And operators are able to use Qeo tools to monitor and manage all Qeo-enabled devices, keeping operational costs under control. IBM, STMicroelectronics, Seagate, Avanquest, Telecom Italia and Portugal Telecom have all registered to partner with Technicolor using Qeo, and the framework is also being used at CES in Las Vegas. “During the last few years, we’ve built a solid understanding of the issues created by heterogeneous and closed ecosystems that fragment the user experience,” Michel Rahier, president of Technicolor’s Connected Home Division. “This is why we have developed Qeo: a technology that enables devices to speak the same language, be interconnected with each other, and create totally new use cases for the Connected Life and the ‘Internet of things’.” n
Technicolor allows devices to “speak the same language”
Using the Qeo modules, developers can create cross-device and cross-OS applications in a more straightforward manner, without having to care about the diversity of languages or environments; they can also monitor and manage all Qeo-enabled devices, keeping operational costs under control
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echnology provider for the media and entertainment sectors Technicolor has developed a software framework to allow connected devices, regardless of brand or ecosystem, to “speak the same language”. The firm has launched Qeo software modules to address the problem of disparate ecosystems used for device interaction, which has created a complex and fragmented experience for users. The software modules allow devices, applications and over-thetop cloud solutions to speak to one another to deliver simpler and richer media services, according to the company. For consumers, this enables a host of new services to be deployed with ease. For example, consumers are able to remotely manage het-
erogeneous alarm, automation, and video surveillance systems via one single interface. They could also have their doorbell programmed to send a notification to their TV or
Telenor provides telephony to all Norwegian health authorities
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The contract includes the provision of telephony services, both in terms of subscriptions and communications for landlines and mobile phones, as well as communications solutions, such as a mobile business network and unified communication. This contract is Telenor's largest telephony agreement in Norway
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elenor has won the contract to supply telephony and other communications services to all health authorities in Norway. The contract has a value of approximately 120 million Norwegian kroner per year. The Health Authorities' Procurement Service (HINAS) negotiated the contract on behalf of the four regional health authorities of the Northern, Central, Western and South-Eastern Norway. The contract covers all underlying health authorities and other connected entities, such as several private hospitals with operational support provided by the regional health authorities. The contract includes the provision of telephony services, both in terms of subscriptions and communications for landlines and mobile phones, as well as communications solutions, such as a mobile business network and unified communication. This contract is Telenor's largest telephony agreement in Norway. For the health authorities, the objective of this agreement is to gain greater cost effectiveness and flexibility when it comes to telephony services; as well as ensure a stable and reliable voice solution.
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addition, it is important that the health authorities have communications solutions that help streamline their organisations. Telenor's service model, its expertise in telephony and its commitment to the health sector were among the key reasons they were chosen," said Trond Skorstad, Advisor at HI-
NAS. Important Health Initiative: For Telenor, the health sector is an important focus area, not only in terms of telephony, but also in terms of collaboration solutions and welfare technology. In cooperation with various partners and through pilot projects, the company has developed communications solutions that help to modernise and increase the effectiveness of the health sector. "Cooperation with the health authorities is the cornerstone of our health focus. We look forward to exciting projects, better collaboration and more effective work processes in healthcare. At the same time, we want to serve as an advisor for the healthcare sector, and in that vein we plan to continue organising professional conferences for the health authorities," said Telenor's manager of the business market Bjørn Ivar Moen. The agreement commences on January 15th and will last for two years with an option for a further two years renewal. Telenor's subcontractors in the agreement are Kjedehuset, SmartPhones, Linus, NewLearning and 1881. n
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New trending: Tech gadgets to look forward to
2012 was definitely the year of the Android. But even as gadget geeks wait in anticipation for the Samsung Galaxy S4 to launch in March, we hope the competition heats up in the smartphone space with the launch of the Amazon phone, BlackBerry 10 and hope for a radically different Apple 5S
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ast year was interesting in terms of technology: Samsung beat Apple in the war of the smartphones; the Nexus 7 became the first Android tablet to take a significant slice out of Apple’s tablet pie; the iPad mini made its debut; and 4G technology spread over the world. The year 2013 too has a lot in store. And even as gadget manufacturers become more and more secretive about their upcoming launches, the rumours continue to grow. Yet we are taking a chance right now, and declaring our top five gadget/trends to look forward to the year. Smartphone war continues: Last year was definitely the year of the Android. But even as gadget geeks wait in anticipation for the Samsung
Galaxy S4 to launch in March, we hope the competition heats up in the smartphone space with the launch of the Amazon phone. The year will also see BlackBerry trying to make a comeback with its BlackBerry 10, even as Apple fanboys hope for a radically different Apple 5S, in the hope of earning more bragging rights. On the other hand, Windows will hope to finally have its hands on a smartphone that can eat into the existing competition with its Nokia Lumia 920. Add the HTCs, Motorolas and Sonys into the mix, and 2013 will is definitely looking up. Apple iTV is here: Earlier this year, in May, Foxconn CEO Terry Gou mentioned that his company is getting ready to begin producing the Apple iTV. Later, Cult of Mac reported that the
Lenovo introduces table-size touch-screen computer The “multi-user, multi-touch, multi-mode” table computer with a starting price of $1699 can be used by several people simultaneously for communal activities such as games or for individual endeavours such as updating Facebook
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hinese computer giant Lenovo has unveiled a home tabletop touch-screen computer aimed at turning typically solitary online activities into family affairs. The company hailed the arrival of the “interpersonal PC” with the debut of the IdeaCentre Horizon Table in Las Vegas, in the Consumer Electronics
S h o w gadget gala. “It's definitely a new category; the world's first home table personal computer,” Lenovo director of global marketing Dee Kumar said while giving an early glimpse at the creation in San Francisco. "This can be a full-power 27-inch PC but at the same time we want families using this device,” she said. The “multi-user, multi-touch, multi-mode”
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TV would feature both Siri and iSight to enable voice and face recognition — iPhones and iPads could also be used to control it. Other reports claim that the TV is in its early stages of testing with manufacturers at Sharp and Hon Hai. Analysts claim the TV will most likely retail for $1,500 to $2,000 and would be available in screen sizes of 42 inches and 55 inches. And if the number of rumours is anything to go by, Apple already has a winner on its hands, even without the Mac cult stepping in. Gaming shifts a gear: Microsoft’s longawaited sequel to the Xbox 360 is expected to hit the market this year. But the rumours have already begun. From its name and core chip, to its potential features (it will apparently come with a Blu-ray disc drive, a next generation Kinect, TV input and output, and 8GB of RAM), every aspect of the device is being debated and then debated again. And nearly everyone, gamer or not, has an opinion on what it should look like. If you don’t believe us, just check out the number of ‘working designs’ online. And to keep things interesting, PS4 is set for a 2014 launch. Google Glass launches: Time Magazine called it the “Best Invention of 2012”. But 2013 is the year when we finally will see these high-tech frames on the streets. And they have managed to create quite a buzz after an impressive debut at the New York Fashion Week. Bringing augmented reality into our daily lives on a half-inch display, consumers will be able to take and share photos, video chat, check appointments, access maps and surf the World Wide Web. All you need to do to escape the real world and slip into the virtual one is look up and to the right. The future is truly now. Is this the year of the tablets? Tech gurus are predicting 2013 to be the year of the tablets. While usual suspects like Google, Apple and the Amazon Kindle are expected to fine tune existing product lines to include better processors and retina display, most analysts are of the belief that Windows 8–based tablets are the wild card and will pack quite a punch. And if the launch we attended was anything to go by, Microsoft’s big bet might finally have paid off this time. n table computer with a starting price of $1699 can be used by several people simultaneously for communal activities such as games or for individual endeavours such as updating Facebook. “We want to take social to the next level,” Kumar said. “Smartphones and tablets provide one-to-one interaction but it is great for a family to come back home and use this device to consume content.” Lenovo worked with videogame industry stalwarts including Ubisoft and Electronic Arts to tailor titles for group play on Horizon table computers. “These games are simple mechanics-wise but really fun to play in a social space,” said Pixel, a member of a Ubisoftbacked group of girl gamers known as the Frag Dolls, as she killed virtual zombies and raced cars on Horizon. Lenovo is promising to showcase a slew of Horizon games and applications at CES, which begins on Tuesday. Horizon weighs about 8.2 kilograms and is built with a hinged stand in the back so it can be propped upright to serve as a television or desktop computer screen. Wheeled stands and joysticks are among accessories sold separately. Lenovo says Horizon table computers will hit the market by the middle of this year. n 61
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PTA inefficient regulator: NA body
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Chairman Standing Committee Ch Barjees Tahir said that from the day 1, we had warned PTA that 3G auction process was not transparent and still PTA was not cooperating to make it transparent and hold the auction that could benefit the country in billions
ational Assembly the country too. He PTA initiatives to Standing Commitsaid that in the given reduce the grey traftee on Information circumstances no ficking are not sufTechnology & Teleone would ever come ficient and authoricom held Pakistan Telecom to assist the auction ty can only monitor Authority responsible for deagain. 13% of the traffic lay in 3G auction for the third Officials of PTA while Anusha time. whereas denied any Rehman said that Standing Committee expayment to the conpeople sitting in pressed its annoyance over sultants. Standing power corridors the performance of PTA and Committee whereas were backing the said that it had failed to perheld Chairman PTA grey trafficking form its duties as a regulator Farooq Awan repractices in the body in the country. Hiring of sponsible for delay country and were consultant by PTA chairman in the auction. Commaking it hard to and then cancellation of conmittee suggested that eliminate it. tract of the said consultant by if any amount was Barjees Tahir the chairman again also came paid to the consultalso said that while Ch Barjees Tahir Farooq Ahmed Awan under discussion in the parants then it should the authority had Chairman Standing Committee Chairman PTA liamentary panel meeting. be collected from the been failed in perChairman Standing Committee Ch Barjees account of Chairman PTA. forming its duties, Prime Minister should decide Tahir said that hiring the consultant, paying him Standing committee was also annoyed over about it. Legislative body during the meeting Rs 10 million and then cancelling his contract the role of PTA in elimination of grey traffick- also expressed its displeasure with officials of was not an understandable act of the chairman ing from the country which is yielding into loss Universal Service Fund (USF) because different PTA. He said that from the day 1, Standing Com- of $1 billion per annum. Chairman Ch Barjees companies have liabilities of more than 25 bilmittee had warned PTA that 3G auction process Tahir said that PTA is reluctant to take action lion rupees and USF is awarding contracts to was not transparent and still PTA was not co- against influential people. He said that legal de- those defaulter companies. operating to make it transparent and hold the partment of PTA is not performing well on legal Committee recommended officials of USF to auction that could benefit the country in billions. grounds and failed to defend its cases on grey give list of those companies who have been Shafqat Hayat, a member of the committee, trafficking therefore court issues stay orders on awarded contracts. Legislators said that FBR said that delaying the auction for the 3rd time cases of grey trafficking. should also examine the business of USF. n would not only be bad for the PTA but for and Secretary IT Amir Tariq Zaman admitted that
Renewable energy key to overcome power crisis
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olar energy generation is the real time solution to Pakistan’s growing energy scarcity problem whereby environment-friendly renewable energy can be produced in the shortest possible time. According to experts, if renewable energy generation options are not adopted, the power shortage will become more acute – to 19,000 megawatts (MW) by 2020. In this regard the government is active in promotion of solar energy in the country. The Ministry of Science and Technology, Water and Power and Ministry of Climate Change and Higher Education Commission (HEC) through public and private universities are involved in promotion of solar energy and biogas so as to overcome the acute energy shortage in the country. The steps taken by the Ministry of Science and Technology to produce and use of solar energy and biogas in the country during the several years and their results achieved are for the promotion of solar energy in the country, Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) an organization of Ministry of Science and Technology has taken following steps during the period. Installed Solar Photovoltaic Power Units of 62 KW capacity for electrification of mosques and re-
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Balochistan and Sindh provinces for demonstration purpose to raise awareness among public. Disseminated 215 solar cookers (Dish Type), 653
solar cooker (Box Type) of family size and 13 solar dryers (seven solar dryer of 50 kgs per day capacity) three in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and four in Punjab, remaining are used in the country as a prototype. The PCRET carried out research and development reverse engineering and developed various solar energy products indigenously such as high intensity low powered solar lights, solar desalination units, flat plate solar collectors for solar water heaters, solar dryers etc. Established ‘Solar Test Lab’ for provision of services to test the solar thermal products, batteries and invertors etc for private and public sector organizations/companies for quality assurance of solar energy products in the country. During the last several years, the PCRET started mega project (at a cost of Rs 418.498 million) for production of solar photovoltaic panels up to 80 KW per annum. This project is near completion. The panels produced under this project will be installed mainly for remote village electrification. Biogas: The PCRET has installed 1,705 domestic biogas plants on cost sharing basis, during the last several years for demonstration purpose. Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) has developed small scale portable Biogas plants at PCSIR Laboratories complex Lahore and process for compression/filling of methane gas has also been developed. PCRET collaborated with various national, international and private organisations for imparting training, conducting seminars and workshops, exchange visits and other solar technology and biogas related activities for their promotion in the country. n
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NEWS
PTCL wins Badminton Triangular Series between PTCL-Ufone-NTC
Syed Mazhar Hussain, SEVP HR & Admin PTCL; Naveed Saeed, SEVP Commercial PTCL; Abdul Aziz, CEO Ufone; Muhammad Nehmatullah, CFO PTCL and Raed Yousef Ali Abdel Fattah, CIO PTCL; Mian Muhammad Shafiq, DG Ops NTC & Khalid Javed, Ex-COO NTC at the prize distribution ceremony of the Badminton Triangular Series between PTCL, Ufone and NTC.
Islamabad: Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) has won the Badminton Triangular Series, held between PTCL, Ufone and NTC Badminton teams. The tournament was held at PTCL Sports Club in Islamabad. Syed Mazhar Hussain, PTCL Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) HR & Admin said at the occasion, “At PTCL, we strongly be-
lieve that healthy minds and healthy bodies at workplaces are a key driver of success and growth for any organization. Events like these give an excellent platform for employees of different organizations to engage in a manner that boosts morale, improve health and fitness as well as increasing productivity and team work”. The 4 day tournament, organized by
Zong seeks LDI Licence
Zong has sought acquisition of Callmate defunct licence from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to offer different telephony services as Long Distance International (LDI) operator. Chinese mobile phone company has been given approval by the Federal Cabinet Committee and Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) on its request. Zong has been looking for obtaining LDI licence since its launch in 2008 however
it has not been given the licence due to binding of commercial contract between the government of Pakistan and United Arab of Emirates. Now the contract period is going to be end and there is no obstacle to issue new licence of any kind to existing operators, Sajid Mehmood Chief Commercial Officer Zong said. It is expected PTA would auction LDI licence as per its rule and facilitate Chinese cellular phone company which has been expanding its services in every nook of corner of the country, he said. It had applied for LDI licence many years ago however PTA was reluctant to give its licence despite it had been given go-ahead signal by
PTCL, saw teams from PTCL, Ufone and NTC competing with dedication and fervor in categories of Men’s, Women’s and Mixed singles and doubles matches. PTCL team was captained by Syed Mazhar Hussain, SEVP HR & Admin PTCL; Ufone team was captained by Abdul Aziz, CEO Ufone while NTC was led by Nauman Khalid Qureshi, Director Finance NTC.
the Federal Cabinet and MoITT. Presently the cellular phone company is providing international call services in collaboration with different partners but it will get edge having a licence to operate international calls, SMS and telephony service through its own network. Zong has been the fastest growing network in the country since last two financial years. It jumped to fourth position from the fifth due in terms of connections while its subscribers’ base has crossed the benchmark of 19 million. The licence of Callmate Telips Telecom has been terminated in 2008 since then none of the operators existing or new has acquired its licence neither it was auctioned. n
Abdul Aziz, CEO Ufone; Syed Mazhar Hussain, Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP), HR & Admin PTCL; Naveed Saeed, Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP), Commercial PTCL; Hamid Farooq, Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP), Business Development PTCL; Raed Yousef Ali Abdel Fattah, Chief Information Officer (CIO) PTCL; Muhammad
Nehmatullah, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) PTCL; Muhammad Nasrullah, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) PTCL; Abdul Sattar Naeem, EVP Business Zone North PTCL; Mian Muhammad Shafiq, DG Ops NTC & Khalid Javed, Ex-COO NTC were the chief guests on the occasion and presented the winning trophy and other prizes amongst the winners in different cate-
gories. In an enthralling final, PTCL won the team event by defeating NTC team. In the Mixed Doubles final, PTCL team was the winner while Ufone team was the runner up. In the Executive’s Singles, Ufone team defeated PTCL team, while in Women’s Doubles final, PTCL team won the match, defeating the NTC team. n
The Senior Managment of wi-tribe Pakistan are present at the ceremony to distribute prize among the winner of wi-tribe monthly lucky draw.
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PTCL SEVP Commercial, Naveed Saeed and PTCL SEVP Business Zone Central, Jamal Abdalla Salim Hussain Al Suwaidi inaugurated the One Stop Shop in Lahore.
(OSS) located in PTCL CTH Building, near the Mall Lahore. PTCL's nation-wide One-Stop Shops are conLahore: Pakistan Company Limited vamped and redesigned sidered the public face of Telecommunications (PTCL) inaugurated a re- PTCL One Stop Shop the company. PTCL
PTCL inaugurates revamped One Stop Shop in Lahore Chairman & CEO Rozee.pk shares his story at TiEcon 2012
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Lahore: Monis Rahman, Chairman and CEO of Rozee.pk, took part in The Indus Entrepreneurs Conference 2012 (TiEcon 2012) recently held in Karachi. He addressed the TiEcon during the "Triumphs & Tribulations - Stories of entrepreneurs who made it BIG!" session where he spoke about his accomplishments, inspirations and hurdles he faced to create Rozee.pk Mr. Rahman is the only individual living in Pakistan who is on TiE's global board of trustees. Today, Rozee.pk is Pakistan’s leading online recruitment platform. TiEcon 2012 is held by The Indus Entrepreneurs which is the world’s largest not-forprofit network of established and aspiring entrepreneurs dedicated to the advancement of entrepreneurship. Other speakers at the TiEcon 2012 included amongst others Muhammad Aliuddin Ansari, President & CEO, Engro Corpora-
tion and Rafiq Rangoonwala, CEO, Cupola. Mr Rahman spoke at the event during the "Triumphs & Tribulations - Stories of entrepreneurs who made it BIG!" session and attributed his success and accomplishments to hard work, dedication and persistence. Talking about the TiEcon Mr. Rahman said, “The Indus Entrepreneurs is a great platform to demonstrate a much needed movement to achieve a progressive global entrepreneurship system and I am glad to be a part of this conference today. There are a number of successful entrepreneurs in this organization hence it has a great potential to positively impact and transform the Pakistani economy.” Mr Rahman recently handed over the presidency of TiE Lahore to Mr. Salim Ghauri, cofounder of Netsol Technologies. n
OSS’s are facilitating customers by offering them quality products and services in billing adjustments, fault rectification, new service requests, duplicate bills, billing installments and payments all under one roof. Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) Commercial PTCL, Naveed Saeed; Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) Business Zone Central PTCL, Jamal Abdalla Salim Hussain Al Suwaidi; Executive Vice President (EVP) Wireless PTCL, Omer Khalid and Executive Vice President (EVP) Customer Care PTCL, Kamran Malik inaugurated the One Stop Shop. Executive Vice President (EVP) Contact Centers PTCL, Junaid Azeem; General Manager Customer Care PTCL, Naeem Siddiqui, PTCL Regional General Manager (North) Lahore, Abdul Waheed, PTCL Regional General Manager (South) Lahore, Abdul Qayyum and General Manager Wireless PTCL, Ali Khan also attended
Ufone’s Summer Internship Programme helps groom new talent
CEO Ufone Abdul Aziz with the recipients of the Summer Internship Programme 2012 during a certificate distribution ceremony.
Islamabad: Ufone recently concluded the first cycle of its formalised Summer Internship Programme (SIP). The programme was aimed at training over 150 fresh graduates from Pakistan’s top 35 universities in different fields, and intended to introduce them to emerging technology trends, while developing their career scope in the thriving telecom sector. A ceremony was hosted in a local hotel to acknowledge the hard work put in by the internees. The event was attended by Abdul Aziz President & CEO of
Ufone, along with the Ufone management team, Rector Comsats University Dr. S.M Junaid Zaidi and other University representatives. The students celebrated the evening as one of the first acheivements of their careers. In the ceremony, high value interns were honored by Ufone top management with praise. Each individual was selected on a criterion of service delivery, quality of output, recommendation from supervisors, and their general professional attitude. They were given certificates and giveaways such as
mobile handsets & ipods. Abdul Aziz, President & CEO Ufone said, “ We hope to bridge the gap between students and the job market by providing opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. Our interns contributed tremendously to the realworld projects they were assigned, and displayed great corporate values with fervor towards their daily tasks, thus further strengthening the Ufone Way. Their input was unparalleled. Ufone looks forward to actively pursue its partnership with academic institutions.”
the ceremony. “PTCL has a long tradition of differentiating itself from its competitors by offering innovative products to its customers", said Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) Commercial PTCL, Naveed Saeed while inaugurating the One Stop Shop. “Our new One Stop Shops are designed to provide seamless and speedy services to our customers”, he added further. Equipped with latest products and services, PTCL OSS outlets are offering one window operations at strategic locations spread all over the country for facilitating the customers. Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) Business Zone Central, Jamal Abdalla Salim Hussain Al Suwaidi while speaking on the occasion said, "Our focus is always our customers and at PTCL, we strive to deliver customer friendly services at the most affordable rates”. n Noor al Ain, intern and graduate from Bahria University said, “This was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had, and the associations I have made here shall last a lifetime. I learned a lot from my internship, and it was being a part of the Ufone family that stands out as one of my favourite memories.” The ceremony was a great platform for the interns to mingle with Ufone’s management team, and vice versa. This was the first event hosted in the North region, and such events will soon be hosted in Central and Southern regions in order to share the same experience with interns that worked with Ufone all over Pakistan About Ufone: About Ufone: Ufone is an Etisalat Group Company with its presence in all the major cities of Pakistan along with a comprehensive coverage across all major towns, villages and tehsil headquarters of the country. The company employs more than 3,850 people and operates with a network of more than 375 franchises and 22 company-owned customer service centers along with a distribution network of 150,000 outlets nationwide. n
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CEO Wateen participates in BAP conference
Lahore: Wateen Telecom, Pakistan’s leading converged communications provider, was invited to participate in the prestigious Entrepreneurship & Business Acceleration Programme (BAP)-2012 conference, held in Lahore. SME Business Support Fund (BSF) is a “Non-Profit Organisation” established by the Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan to assist both the SMEs and the Business Development Services Providers
(BDSPs). Focusing on issues pertinent to entrepreneurship and development of the small scale businesses, this event was specifically targeted at gathering individuals from the government, members of the business community, NGOs, academia, agencies supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs, financial institutions and other international development agencies. Wateen’s CEO Naeem Zamindar moderated discussion amongst some of
the leading names from the micro finance sector, private equity amongst others. The panel included Saqib Mohyuddin, CEO Business Support Fund, Roshaneh Zafar, Founder, KASHF Microfinance Bank, Mohammad Sajid, Partner JS Private Equity and Shaharyar Ahmed, CO Head of Growth Equity Investments, Cyan Ltd. Later, Naeem Zamindar was also part of the adjudicating panel for the BAP (Business Accelerated Programme) pres-
Dire need to care and love for special kids: Chairman Zainb Trust
Karachi: Chairman Zainab's Rehabilitation Centre for Special Children Mrs Haji Masood Parkeh has said the state is in dire need to care and love for special children. These special children are our assets and I feel satisfaction to serve the children. These views were expressed by Chairman Zainab Welfare Trust during the addressing annual faction of Trust school where large number of special chil-
dren and people attended. The chief guests of the faction were the special children. On the occasion, provincial minister Izharul Hassan, Adviser to CM Sindh, Shirmela Farooqi, All Pakistan Memon Federation newly-elected President Abdul Aziz Memon and others attended the faction. The programme started with reciting of Holy Quran presented by spe-
cial children. After that they presented tabloo whom appreciated the audience. Mrs Parekh said: I am working with physically and mentally children at Zainab's rehabilitation centre for betterment of special children. We'd introduce vocational training for the same kids when they've grown up since vocational skills are easy and fun to learn and can help a lot in a long run. n
entation. Commenting on the BAP conference, Mr Zamindar said: “It was a great honour for me to represent Wateen at this incredible event. It is fantastic to see that opportunities for entrepreneurs are growing in Pakistan and we are collectively working towards enabling a new era of economic and social development in the country. SME empowerment, structural reforms, goodgovernance and HR training can help rein-
vigorate the national economy and the SME sector rapidly”. Under the theme of “Role of Quality Universities in Supporting Entrepreneurial Eco-System”, the Conference’s focuses was on developing an in-depth understanding of the current dynamics and devise the most viable strategy for empowering and facilitating SME stakeholders. This conference proved to be another collective effort, towards recognizing and optimizing the
potential of the SME sector in Pakistan, for generating sustainable business growth and opportunities. Amongst the dignitaries attending the event were Mr Azhar Rizvi Voice Chair MITEFP, Mr. Adul Aziz CEO LumenSoft, Mr. Monis Rehman CEO Naseeb networks and Mr. Salim Ghauri CEO Netsol Technologies, in addition to a number of state officials. Numbers of foreign dignitaries were also present at the conference. n
Lahore: Mobilink continues to consolidate its market leadership in Pakistan’s cellular industry, with the expansion of its voice and data network across the country. Over the course of 2012, Mobilink has been rapidly establishing new cell-sites to reach out to numerous under-served regions across Pakistan, to enable wider delivery of cutting-edge services throughout Pakistan. Mobilink’s investment in network expansion is a continuous endeavor, with 2012 alone having seen over 8% growth in cell sites, with the organization’s cellular network now spread over 9,000 sites, the largest within Pakistan’s industry. The cell sites
have primarily been set up for improving voice and data capacity and catering to the growing communication needs. Ramy Reyad Kamel, Chief Technical Officer Mobilink highlighted “This expansion activity is in line with the commitment made by Rashid Khan, President & CEO at the beginning of 2012 to provide the best cellular experience to our customers. Over the course of the year, we have optimized our infrastructure investment thus enhancing the coverage and capacity of Mobilink’s network across Pakistan. We are committed to consistently enriching our network with newer technologies and services, while continuing to
expand our network outreach across Pakistan.” In a meeting with Prime Minister of Pakistan last month, VimpleCom’s management has pledged an investmentof $1 billion into Mobilink’s network reach and technology. The investment will further strengthen Mobilink’s unparalleled growth over the last few years, with the operator continuing to build on its vision to reshape lives through connectivity. Mobilink’s Technical and Regional teams are consistently working towards expanding connectivity through stateof-the-art technology and cellular services to the remotest regions across the country. n
Mobilink continues network expansion across Pakistan
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Warid brings free iPhone 5 with a Nano SIM & a Golden number
Inbox ranked top contributor in IBM hardware sales
Islamabad: Inbox Business Technologies was recognized as the top contributor in IBM hardware sales in Pakistan at the Business Partner Executive Conference 2012 held in Dubai, UAE. At the IBM Middle East & Pakistan Business Partner Executive Conference, distributors and partners were awarded
based on their performance for the year 20112012. The conference aimed at upholding partner confidence and defining roadmap for the future. Picture here shows Mr. Mohsin Ali, Vice President – Sales, Inbox Business Technologies receiving the award from
Mobilink announces winners of two luxury cars
Lahore: Mobilink has announced the winners of two luxury 1800CC cars for the Jazz Acquisition Car Promo Prize Offer, in a ceremony held in Multan. Faheem Durrani, Regional Director Sales, Mobilink shared his thoughts saying, “We are glad to see our customers winning such fabulous prizes in addition to enjoying pre-
mium cellular services from Mobilink. The promo saw participation from all across the country including small towns and villages. This is a testimony of the vast network coverage we provide to our customers. On behalf of Mobilink, I congratulate the winners and thank our subscribers for the trust they put in Mobilink.” The winners, Muham-
Islamabad: Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) has now enabled its Broadband customers to upgrade from 2Mbps to 4Mbps connection free of cost. Customers can now enjoy 4Mbps speeds at only Rs 1,549 per month, at the same price of 2Mbps connection. This offer is valid for both existing and new PTCL customers. As Pakistan’s fastest and most affordable Broadband service, PTCL’s
Broadband Pakistan offers seamless Internet experience, uninterrupted streaming and fastest downloading speeds. It provides access to rich high-definition multimedia resources over the Internet enabling customers to download latest movies, TV shows and music files. This offer is applicable for all 2Mbps connections except student package. The promotional package will expire on 31st January 2013. Standard 4Mbps
Mr. Humayun Bashir, (Ex-Country General Manager), IBM Pakistan Inbox using its nationwide sales & support staff equipped with technical & functional expertise has been able to serve customers in various industries while winning their confidence in the winning combination of IBM & Inbox. n
mad Nawaz from Bahawalpur and Allah Wasia, from Vehari, were excited with their prizes, adding, ‘This is a very unique way of welcoming your new customers. One cannot imagine that he will be rewarded with such a prize for using the country’s best cellular services. We thank Allah and wish Mobilink the best of luck and hope that they will continue extending such promotions to their customers.’’ The offer was valid for all subscribers who had begun to use Mobilink Jazz during, or within two months of, June 2012. Customers became eligible for the prize by using a balance of Rs 50 balance in any one week during the valid offer time period. n
rates of Rs. 2,100 per PTCL announces unmatched offer month will apply after the expiry date. for seamless Broadband connectivity Customers can opt
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out of this offer by calling 1236 or by contacting their nearest PTCL One Stop Shop (OSS). “Accessibility and innovation is the hallmark of our products and services. PTCL continues to bring state-of-the-art telecommunication solutions to Pakistan’s telecom market with the added aroma of affordability and convenience”, said Executive Vice President (EVP) Wire-line PTCL, Aasif Inam.
Lahore: Warid Telecom brings you an opportunity to win the hottest handset on the planet, simply by getting the most Caller Tunes! The more Caller Tunes one gets, the greater the chances of winning. This offer is open for both postpaid and prepaid subscribers. All existing and new MRBT customers are eligible to participate in the promotion and winners will be selected on the basis of maximum number of Caller Tunes set during the week, including dedications, copy tunes and gifts. Warid will be announcing two winners in the first week and one winner for every week afterwards. There will be a total of 5 winners and the promotion will be valid from December 25, 2012 till January 21, 2013. Details: • The charges for
using Caller Tune service are Rs. 2+t (One time subscription) • Prepaid daily Charges Rs 0.65+t/day (Until un-subscription or up to 50 days of nonrecharge). • Post-paid monthly charge is Rs 10+t/month • Tone assignment/Dedication/ Copy/Gift Rs10+t (One time charge per tune) • IVR 105 charges are Rs 5+t/min (If applicable) • Subscribers are allowed to assign a maximum of 5 Caller tunes at one time to the Music Box/Copy Box/Dedication each. Additional requests will be denied until modified. Max 10 Caller tunes can be gifted to your friends, relatives and loved ones at one time. • New tones must be assigned to Music box, Copy box, Dedication, gifts. If a sub-
scriber wishes to set an already purchased or previously purchased but not in use tone as his Caller tune again or gift/dedicate/copy, there will be no additional charges for re-assignment or gift/dedication/copy within the same box (subject to above mentioned conditions). • Prize must be claimed within 15 days of the announcement. • If the prize is unclaimed for 15 days the prize will be awarded to the second highest tone assigner or in case of a tie a draw between the tied winners. • Participants must acknowledge that decision of Warid shall be final and binding on them • The charges for using Caller Tune service are Rs. 2+t (One time only for first subscription) n
Lahore: Samsung Electronics is a global Market leader in Household Electronics, Digital technology and Telecommunications. Recently it participated in the attractive and colorful Electro Carnival 2012 held recently at METRO stores in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Samsung offered some amazing discounts on a wide range of its cutting edge products. The Samsung products that attracted an overwhelming response from the consumers, during the carnival included; the Samsung Digital Camera ST – 66 packed with features like; 4608X3456 max resolution, 6.9 MB internal memory, Micro SD/SDHC card options, 32 Scene modes, USB 2.0 compatible, Li-ion rechargeable battery,
Built in flash, HDD movie, AV out, 16.1 Mega pixel, 5X Optical Zoom, 2.7 inch TFT LCD. At the Carnival, this camera was offered for an attractive price of Rs. 6,999, whereas the original price of this device is Rs. 9,000. Samsung 43” Plasma TV 43-E400 which features; 1024X768 Resolution, HD Ready, 1,000,000 : 1 Contrast ratio, 1 USB port, 2 HDMI port 10W+10W sound output and Sleek design was offered at a carnival price of Rs. 46,499, while the original price in the market is Rs. 48,000. Samsung 32” LED TV 32EH4000 was offered at a special price of Rs. 36,499, while its original price is Rs. 38,000. Its features include; 1024X768 Resolution, HD Ready, 1,000,000: 1, Contrast ratio, 1 USB port, 2 HDMI Ports, 10W+10W Sound output. Samsung Home Theatre E330K, with a 5.1 Channel, Dolby Digital 330W PMPO Total output power, USB recording CD, USB PORT. DivX, was available at the carnival for only Rs. 9,999, while its actual price is Rs. 16,000. Samsung DVD Player DVD – 360 that features;
1 USB port, with an original price of Rs. 3,700, was offered at the Metro Carnival for only Rs. 3099. Samsung Laser Printer 2165, comprises of a 300 MHz processor, 32 MB RAM, Print resolution Upto 1200x1200 DPI, Print Speed (Black and White) upto 21 pages per minute in Letter size. This device has an original price of Rs. 6,300, while at the Carnival it was priced at Rs. 5,999. Samsung C-3222 QWERTY Mobile phone with TFT 256K Colors, Blue tooth, Camera, Talk time upto 11 hours, FM Radio was offered at the carnival for a price of Rs. 4,499, whereas, its real price is Rs. 7,500. Samsung E2152 Dual SIM Mobile phone featuring; Dual SIM (Dual Standby), Stereo FM Radio, Talk time upto 11 hours, Flashlight , Facebook and a market price of Rs. 5,100 was offered at the Carnival for only Rs. 3,999. Samsung E1225 Mobile Phone with TFT 65K colors, 1000 phone book entries, Dual SIM , Audio player, GPRS, FM, USB and Talk time upto 9 hours with a market price of Rs. 2,300 was available at the Metro Carnival for only Rs. 1,499. n
Samsung offers fabulous discounts at Metro Electronics Carnival 2012
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form,whilePIADMDdecorated the Pilot’s wing on Adman’s uniform. The children first visited Lahore Zoo, where theywerethrilledtoseetheanimals, among them famous Suzy Elephant, who welcomed them by playing the organ. After the Zoo they visited Minar - e-Pakistan, Lahore Fort, Badshahi Masjid, Allama Iqbal’s tomb and Lahore Railway Station. After a days tour of Lahore these childrenjoinedotherSpecialChildren for an event organized by Make-a-WishFoundationat the Governor’s House. In the end Prime Minister RajaPervezAshrafdistributed gifts and prizes among the Special Children. The ceremony was also attended by GovernorPunjabMakhdoom ZadaSyedAhmedMehmood, founder of Make - a - Wish Foundation Pakistan Ishtiaq Baig, District Manager PIA Umar Draz and other¬ dignitaries. n
PIA arranges visit for Special Children to Lahore
Director Manager PIA Mr. Umar Draz, Station Manager PIA Mr. Manzoor Junior, greeting Special Childern accompanied by Wish Coodinator Ms. Uzma Hasan on arrival at Lahore airport.
Lahore:Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR)Program arrangedavisitofterminallyill children in collaboration with Make - a - Wish Foundation Pakistan. PIA management under its These children Adnan / Kamil / Adnan Saqib / Iqra / Fiza flew from Karachi toLahoreonPIAflightPK302 accompanied by Ms. Uzma HasantheWish-Coordinator. On arrival the special children were greeted at the air-
port by PIA District Manager PIAMr.UmbersDraz,Station Manager PIA Manzur Junior, PIA CSR coordinator Ms. SaimaIntekhab,PIACSRvolunteers Shehbaz Tahir, M. Ashraf, Asghar Virk and Public Relations officials. The children desired to tour different areas in Lahore and among them one child Adnan wanted to be a Pilot. His wish was honored by dressing him in a Pilot’s uni-
Islamabad: The recent disruption in the telecommunications services in Chitral is due to heavy snowfall in the region. This winter season has seen an unusual severe weather effecting telecom services in Chitral. Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) clarifies that its phone service is working smoothly in Chitral however the company regrets any inconvenience caused to its DSL customers facing temporary disruption in broadband
services due to prevailing inclement weather in the region. The concerned area in Chitral is covered in snow and extreme weather conditions are proving to be a hindrance, however PTCL teams are efficiently working to rectify the problem. It is pertinent to mention here that in order to provide uninterrupted telecom services; the company is currently deploying its Optical Fiber Network in Chitral to bring further convenience to
Heavy snowfall disrupts telecommunications in Chitral
people’s lives by enhanced broadband presence. As the only integrated telecommunications services provider, PTCL stands firm in its commitment to provide quality and uninterrupted telecom services to its valued customers. The company has continuously invested in telecom infrastructure across the country and is currently providing seamless Broadband connectivity in more than 1200 cities and towns across Pakistan.
Pakistan homes 8mn Facebook users
Islamabad: With the end of 2012, Pakistan made an evident increase in social media stream. According to statistics, users of social networking website, Facebook, in Pakistan have crossed the eight million mark with the presence of 8,008,720 users at Facebook from Pakistan.
Number of Facebook users in Pakistan grew by more than 1 million in last 6 months and this steady increase in users has put Pakistan at 28th place in the ranking of countries that use Facebook. According to statistics by Social Bakers, United States held the First position with more than 160 million Facebook users, followed by Brazil and India with more than 63 million and 62 million users respectively. The statistics revealed that the age group with the highest number of Facebook users in Pakistan (3,990,800) lies in the age bracket of 1824 and the second largest group in the age of 25-35. As per stats, around 70% Facebook users are male, while 30% are female in Pakistan. n
Islamabad: Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) has now launched a standalone package for its Smart TV customers. PTCL is the first and only telecom service provider in Pakistan that is offering
this state-of-the-art digital interactive television service, says a press release. The new package has been specially designed to bring added convenience for PTCL customers, enabling them to experience Smart TV
Lahore: Etihad Cargo, a division of United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier Etihad Airways, has posted record monthly revenues for November of $65.8 million, up 21.2 per cent on the same period last year (US$ 54.3 million). The carrier lifted 32,633 tonnes of freight in the period, an 18.2 per cent increase on November 2011 (27,628 tonnes). The figures reflect the cargo operator’s continued upward momentum in what has been a record 2012 so far. Etihad Airways’ Chief
Strategy and Planning Officer, Kevin Knight, said: “2012 has been a great year for us. The latest impressive revenue and tonnage figures have been driven largely by strong sales out of Southern China and solid growth out of Europe and South East Asia. “Yields have also held up compared to last year, and at the same time we have successfully grown volumes ahead of our capacity growth.” “Looking ahead, we expect to maintain strong freight performance over the final month of 2012.”n
Samsung Galaxy Music Duos smartphone - Inspires music lovers
Lahore: Samsung Electronics Ltd has now launched a new smartphone packed with premium music, games and multimedia features. The Samsung Galaxy Music Duos is designed to deliver premium sound quality and musical output, along with great connectivity in its stylish design which is available in three vibrant colors, Splash Blue, Ceramic White and Yellow. The phone features powerful dual front speakers providing loud & clear sound. The device also boosts sophisticated musical features like the SRS and Surround-Sound with SoundAlive2 enhancelarge pool of video li- ments. An embedded FM brary. Radio with built in an“Access and control tenna, provides superb of content in a personalised way is here to stay, and at PTCL we shall continue to offer our customers a dynamic, personal and digitally interactive television experience,” said Naveed Saeed, PTCL Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) Commercial. Islamabad: Ufone in PTCL Smart TV also collaboration with Summit comes with triple-play Bank has launched its package, being delivforan foreign funds transered over fibre-based fer service. Service will Broadband network, allow anyone (even those which is providing who aren’t Ufone subVoice Telephony, scribers) to withdraw Broadband Internet and money – remitted from Interactive Television at anywhere in the world – the same time through from Ufone’s authorized one connection. n outlets, customer service
PTCL introduces standalone Smart TV package without the requirement of Broadband internet. With this package, customers can now experience interactive TV at just Rs450 per month. The package has an added advantage of unlimited calls on Sunday from PTCL Landline to Landline & Vfone for just 199/month extra. Besides offering the highest digital quality TV picture, Smart TV also gives customers the option to choose high quality videos from a
Etihad Cargo posts record monthly revenues
musical entertainment on the go. Superior performance is ensured on the Galaxy Music Duos by the powerful Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Operating System, as it provides optimized User-Interface for its music features. The cutting-edge processor delivers an amazing high speed across multi-media apps, games and music. Moreover, the users also enjoy faster downloads with rapid transfer speeds and excellent wireless connectivity through advanced Wi-Fi connectivity for easy web access anywhere, onthe-go. The Managing Director of Samsung EC Pakistan Pvt. Ltd - Mr. John Park said; “Galaxy Music is a thrilling expression of a fast and connected, musical lifestyle that blends smart-mobile technologies from the popular Galaxy Smartphones series with the latest multimedia entertainment applications”.
Ufone launches foran foreign transfer service
centre and franchises. Ufone said that with this first of its kind branchless banking service in Pakistan, your friends and family can now send you money from anywhere in the world using Western Union, Xpress Money and Summit Bank’s own product Amanat Cash and you can collect it in Pak Rupees from a service centre, franchise or an authorized outlet near you. Ufone said that amount up to 1 lakh rupees can be withdrawn at a time, with Foran Foreign Cash. n
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Pak tele-professional gets Wasim Akram’s autograph now on Rs.150 Kofi Annan fellowship Ufone scratch cards
When it comes to professional and academic excellence, Pakistani professionals are no lesser than any other nation in the world. Indeed it’s a matter of great pride and pleasure for Pakistani people in general and the telecom industry in particular that Mr. Tauseef Afzal, a Pakistani telecom professional has won the prestigious Kofi Annan Fellowship. The Kofi Annan Fellowship is granted annually to 2 persons globally based on their professional and academic excellence and the potential to become a successful business leader in future. Mr. Tauseef Afzal, who holds an MS in Telecommunications Engineering degree from Germany, has
8+ years of experience in the telecom field and is well known for his efforts for promoting the next generation technologies in Pakistan e.g., carrying out 3G / LTE Trials and arranging seminars for encouraging the government and operators to launch 3G / LTE services in Pakistan. Mr. Tauseef has authored the famous “Guide to Higher Education in Europe“, which is hosted by hundreds of websites including download.com and has benefitted thousands of students in pursuing higher education. As part of the Kofi Annan Fellowship, Mr. Tauseef Afzal will also pursue his fully funded MBA from one of the top business schools in Europe. n
Islamabad: In continuation to the tradition of being the first to launch the most affordable offers, packages and advanced services, Ufone one of the leading telecom companies in the country is once again the first to introduce Rs.150 scratch card in Pakistan, the exciting part is that each card comes with one of Pakistan’s favorite
Glow brings the Teen ka Tarka offer
Lahore: Warid Telecom brings another new offer ‘Teen ka Tarka’ that will allow 3 Glow customers to subscribe and form a group to enjoy the lowest ever on-net calls. The calls will be charged at only 35 paisas per 30 seconds with a daily charge of Rs 1.99.
Warid says that this offer is industry first by Glow that has always strived for cost-effective communication solutions and this new offer ‘Teen ka Tarka’ will enable, encourage and facilitate groups of 3 friends to stay in touch with each other at the lowest call
charges in the industry. Director Marketing Communication, Warid Telecom Sadaf Zarrar said: "This offer is another step towards establishing Glow as the premiere youth telecom brand in the industry. Our research tells us that offers such as these have a lot of relevance with today’s budget-conscious youth who have a need to communicate with one another in order to connect for all their needs.” n
Mobilink brings Behtreen Ghanta offer
offer for its both Jazz and Jazba customers, called “Behtreen Ghanta offer”. Mobilink said that its Jazz customers, who will spend more than Rs. 10 + tax in a day can enjoy 80 paisa per hour calling rate for all on-net calls, round the clock. Meaning that cusIslamabad: Mobilink tomers will have to spend has launched an hourly Rs. Rs 11.95 (including
E. Airways flies record 10.29 mn passengers during 2012
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Lahore: Etihad Airways has surpassed its target of carrying 10 million passengers in 2012 and is set to achieve a 22 per cent increase on the total of 8.41 million passengers for 2011. The increase in passenger numbers - up to a total of 10.29 million represents an extra 1.88 million passengers travelling on the carrier’s global network that now covers 87 of its own passenger
and cargo destinations, and 245 codeshare destinations. The passenger growth for Etihad Airways is mirrored by its equity partners. By the end of 2012, airberlin is expected to have carried 33.4 million passengers, Virgin Australia 19.5 million passengers, Aer Lingus nearly 11 million passengers, and Air Seychelles 241,000 passengers. James Hogan, Etihad
taxes) in a day to be become eligible for using this hourly call rate of 80 paisas per hour for Mobilink to Mobilink calls. This package is available on All Jazz and Jazba Packages except for Jazz Easy (LBC), JAZZ 24 Ghanta, PCO, JSP and Retailer package. n Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Etihad Airways has achieved significant expansion in 2012 and therefore it’s very satisfying to pass our target of flying more than 10 million passengers during a year for the first time. “We have launched flights to six new destinations during the last year - Tripoli, Shanghai, Nairobi, Basra, Lagos, and Ahmedabad - which have all contributed to the 22 per cent increase in passenger numbers.” n
cricketing hero and legend Wasim Akram’s autograph. The scratch card is unique and the first of its kind which has been designed as a collectable series with 5 different designs. The scratch cards will not only facilitate customers to upload balance but it will serve as a souvenir with the autograph of
Zong introduces prepaid mini internet bundle
Karachi: ZonG has already been very keen in providing flexible packages to its valued customers. Zong has introduced another Mini Internet Bundle package to its prepaid customer. Mobile internet has never been so cheap, for just Rs.3.99 perday, you can surf through your social websites, view your important emails and chat on your favorite Instant Messenger. The days are gone when you have to pay standard price while the usage is not that high. Now you have a bundle that meets your low end mobile internet volume usage. Why you should pay extra when ZonG is offering you something which you have been looking for. n
Mobilink Introduces SMS based service BizStore
Mobilink has introduced BizStore an SMS based search service which allows customers to receive relevant, accurate and updated information of Pakistan’s Business Directory pages, providing over 6 million data records. It will allow users to search information by Keyword, Address, Brand name, Category, Phone number or Top searches e.g. ‘McDonalds’ or ‘ NADRA HQ’ etc.
the renowned King of Swing. The recharge of balance from any of the 5 cards will qualify for a lucky draw to win a trip to Malaysia accompanied by Wasim Akram. Ufone customers can participate in the contest through more than one entry. Accordingly, the 1st entry will be registered after recharging of 5 cards, 2nd entry will be registered after recharge of 6th card and third will be registered on use of a 7th card and so on. There will be 5 lucky winners who will be accompanied by cricket legend Wasim Akram in a most enjoyable and memorable journey of their lifetime. Apart from a chance to win the lucky draw cus-
tomers will get one of five definite surprise gifts including 100 SMS, 300 MMS, 3MB Internet, 100 Mins Free (Ufone to Ufone) on the recharge of each card. The last date to submit entries for lucky draw is March 31, 2013. Lucky draw winners will be announced within 10 days after March 31, 2013. Wasim Akram, Brand Ambassador Ufone, said, “Millions of fans now have a chance to get my autograph through scratch cards of their favorite cellular phone network. This is a lifetime opportunity for both my fans and I to tour Malaysia and get to discuss my cricketing moments over the years. I thank Ufone for setting this platform and allowing me to reconnect with my fans. n
PTCL organizes Cricket Tournament for its employees
PTCL Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) HR & Admin, Syed Mazhar Hussain and PTCL Executive Vice President (EVP) Business Zone North, Abdul Sattar Naeem in a group photo along with the winning team of PTCL Inter-Zonal Cricket Tournament.
Islamabad: In an exciting contest, Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) North Zone won the PTCL Inter-Zonal Cricket Tournament held at F-9 Cricket Ground, Islamabad. Played between PTCL’s four zonal teams comprising PTCL Headquarters, Business Zone Central, Business Zone South and Business Zone North, the tournament exhibited enthralling and intense cricketing competition. PTCL Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) HR & Admin, Syed Mazhar Hussain commented on the occasion, “PTCL regularly holds such sporting events to promote healthy activities among its employees and giving them opportunities to showcase their athletic abilities and team spirit.”
The final match of the tournament was played between PTCL Business Zone North and PTCL Head Quarters while PTCL Business Zone Central stood third and PTCL Business Zone South got the fourth position. PTCL Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) HR & Admin, Syed Mazhar Hussain was the chief guest on the occasion and presented the trophy as well as other prizes amongst the winners. Abrar Ahmed Babar was named Man of the Series and Best Batsman, while Muhammad Zeeshan was the Man of the Match for the final and Salman Arshad the Best Bowler. Employees and their families also participated enthusiastically in the day-long event.
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PTCL opens One Stop Shop in Peshawar
Islamabad: PTCL has inaugurated a revamped and redesigned One Stop Shop (OSS) in Peshawar. As part of the company’s customer first initiative for serving millions of its customers, PTCL is taking numerous steps including revamping of company’s One Stop Shop (OSS) all across the country, which offer one window operations to facilitate the valued customers. Kamran Malik, PTCL Executive Vice President (EVP), Customer Care while inaugurating the One Stop Shop (OSS) said, “At PTCL, we are
continuously working towards building a unique customer experience, an experience that customers feel proud to share with each other. For us, our most important stakeholder is our customers and we are committed to serve their needs and requirements”. The strategically placed 191 One-Stop Shops (OSS) of PTCL are the public face of the company, which facilitate the customers by offering them quality products and services in bills collection, fault rectification, new service requests,
NBP inaugurated helpdesk at Tahweel Al Rajhi - Al-Khobar Centre, Eastern Region, duplicate bills, billing installments all under one Saudi Arabia for Home Remittance Customers. Mr. Khalid Bin Shaheen, SEVP/Group roof. Kamran Malik, PTCL Chief-NBP and chairman NBP Exchange Company Limited inaugurated the helpdesk Executive Vice President along with senior official of Al-Rajhi Bank and Tahweel Al-Rajhi. n (EVP), Customer Care and Abdul Sattar Naeem PTCL Executive Vice President (EVP), Business Zone North inaugurated the One Stop Shop in Peshawar. Also present at the occasion were Idrees Khatak, PTCL Regional General Manager, Peshawar; Naeem Siddiqui, PTCL General Manager, Customer Care and Jawad Saleem, PTCL General Manager, Consumer Sales North. n
PTCL introduces Broadband economy package
Islamabad: Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTC) has now introduced ‘Broadband Economy’ package which offers fast and cost-effective Internet connectivity for its valued customers. As Pakistan’s fastest and most affordable Broadband service, PTCL’s Broadband Pakistanoffers seamless Internet experience, uninterrupted streaming and fastest downloading speeds. It provides access to rich high-defini-
tion multimedia resources over the Internet enabling customers to download latest movies, TV shows and music files. The new economy package enables customers to experience PTCL Broadband Internet for only Rs 499 per month inclusive of downloads up to 10 GB. For downloads above 10 GB, Rs 100 per GB will be charged, while after 20 GB, the package will become unlimited. Customers who wish to downgrade from Stan-
dard 1Mbps and above packages will be charged a onetime fee of Rs.1,500. “The Broadband Economy package has been specially designed keeping in view the demand for a cost effective connectivity solution paving the way to lowcost Broadband Internet for its customers. PTCL continues to bring stateof-the-art telecommunication solutions to Pakistan’s telecom market with the convenience of affordability”, said Aasif Inam, PTCL Executive Vice President (EVP), Wire-line Business. PTCL ‘Broadband Pakistan’ is the most popular Broadband internet service provider in the country, serving over 1.3 million satisfied customers. n
services project, which is named Cloud for Everyone offers customised and on demand packages of VPS Hosting, Hosted Exchange, Sharepoint and Website Hosting. These services have the capability to cater hosting and IT needs of well- established businesses as well as startups at an affordable price range. PITB public cloud and Data Centre services will help business to have a secure and reliable IT infrastructure. Dr. Jawaid A. Ghani former Chairman PITB
PEL launches high tech refrigerators
PEL (Pakistan Elektron Limited) is one of Pakistan's leading manufacturers of home appliances and electrical goods and has been serving the nation through innova-
its latest refrigerator, the PEL Desire Infinite, at an exhibition at the Expo Center Lahore recently. People from all walks of life from across the country attended the exhibi-
admirable that PEL is continuing to uphold its promise of providing the nation with quality and convenient home electronic appliances and will continue to do so in the
tive technology by manufacturing quality electronic appliances since 1956. PEL's product range currently includes refrigerators, deep freezers, air conditioners, water dispensers and microwave ovens and washing machines - home appliances that have been consistently improving the quality of life of congraced the event and sumers across the nation. In keeping with this appreciated the efforts tradition of engineering made by PITB towards excellence PEL launched the development of IT industry in Pakistan. He commented that such initiatives will bring a culture of innovation in Pakistan for economic prosperity and will help SMEs to bring their business to new technological heights. During the event, Project Director, Mr. Sajjad Ghani presented a detailed description to the attendees regarding the technological features, Islamabad: Sikandar services and benefits of Naqi, Senior Executive cloud computing. n Vice President – Corporate Development,
tion, including important heads of industry and other institutions. The PEL Desire Infinite refrigerator was introduced to the public by Mr. Murad Saigol, Director Operations - Appliances Division, who was also the chief guest at the event. Mr. Haroon Ahmad Khan Managing Director PEL and Mr. Iftikhar Ahmad HOD Sales & Marketing also attended the launch event. In his address, Mr. Murad Saigol stated that it is
future. Mr. Murad Saigol, while introducing the PEL Desire Infinite refrigerator, further explained the unique features of the product, including a specially designed built-in Vitamin Kit and a Double Deodorizer. He also highlighted other innovative features such as a Humidity Controller, Bacteria Buster and other features that make the product truly unique. n
PITB launches Data Centre, Cloud computing service in Karachi
Karachi: Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has launched its Data Centre and Cloud Computing Services for public and private sector. This marks the establishment of the government’s first public cloud by PITB. The PITB will offer all required services of a Tier-III (int’l standard) compliant Data Centre and cloud computing to host applications and services of public and private sector at the Arfa Software Technology Park Data Centre. The cloud computing
NBP inaugurates help desk at Tahweel Al Rajhi
Sikandar Naqi joins Zong
PTCL, has joined Zong. Mr. Sikndar Naqi is reportedly not given any portfolio at Zong for now. currently his position at company is said to be an advisor to CEO, which we anticipate to change soon. This hints that Zong is likely to see more shifts in its management line in coming days. Sikandar Naqi previously worked with CMPak when it had ac-
quired Paktel from Millicom of Luxemburg. Mr. Naqi is said to be the man behind the unveiling of CMPak and various other early initiatives taken by the company then. Sikandar Naqi, before joining CMPak, had worked for InstaPhone as executive director. He was recently the SEVP for Corporate Development at PTCL and was responsible for key functions at the company. n
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Mobilink Foundation participates in SKMCH&RC’s Annual Children’s Mela
Mobilink Foundation Torchbearers and Shaukat Khanam Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center employees at the Annual Children's Mela 2013.
Lahore: Mobilink Foundation Torchbearers participated at the Annual Children’s Mela organized by Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center (SKMCH&RC),organizing a host of entertainment opportunities for the children being treated at the hospital. The day-long event involved over 1000 young patients and their
families, and was also attended by SKMCH’s institutional partners as well as prominent civil society members and media representatives. The carnival-like atmosphere featured outdoor games and activities for the patients, followed by performances and comic skits. Omar Manzur, Head of Corporate Communications, Mobilink, emphasized; “Mobilink’s
Zafar Iqbal appointed as Secretary IT and Telecom
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Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir has been appointed as Secretary IT and Telecom at Ministry of Information Technology. His appointment was announced after which he took the charge to replace Mr. Amir Tariq Zaman Khan, who served as acting secretary IT and Telecom for around five months. Dr. Qadir, with this appointment, has been promoted from grade 21 to grade 22. He has been given the charge at a time when Ministry and other telecom authorities are under severe pressure after two failed attempts of auctioning
3G licenses. Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir was serving as Chairman of the NDMA (National Disaster management Authority) before his current appointment. Dr. Qadir is said to have experience of project management, public administration, revenue administration and community development. Dr. Qadir has previously served as the commissioner of Naseerabad, director general and additional secretary in the president`s secretariat, joint secretary in the commerce ministry, Pakistan`s economic minister and deputy permanent representative at the World Trade Organisation, secretary of agriculture and cooperatives and additional secretary of health in Balochistan. Dr. Zafar Qadir has a PhD degree in Development Studies; and holds three Masters Degrees: Business Administration, Economics and Politics. n
Torchbearers are the backbone of the various initiatives undertaken by the Mobilink Foundation. We are grateful to SKMCH&RC for opening their doors to the Mobilink Foundation and our Torchbearers and enabling us to bring some joy to the lives of these young patients and their families.’ Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hos-
pital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) thanked Mobilink Foundation Torchbearers for volunteering their services in this carnival which aims to provide psychological support to cancer patients. The participation of the Mobilink Foundation Torchbearers at the SKMCH’s Annual Children’s Mela is the continuation of a partnership that has spanned over the last many years. In 2012, Mobilink Foundation contributed PKR 3 million for an out-patient department at the under-construction Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center (SKMCH&RC) in Peshawar. Each Ramazan, Mobilink Foundation also organizes a zakat and donation campaign to generate funding for SKMCH&RC, creating awareness through activities at various customer touch points. n
Zong initiates Win Ultrabook new series, 03111 & 03110 with Wi-tribe
Karachi: Zong brings its new number series and the potential Zong customers can get their favorite number at Zong CSCs and Franchises. Since physical SIM cannot be obtained from retailers as per new PTA’s directions, Zong has facilitated the potential SIM buyers that they can get their SIMs booked through retailers and have the same collected from the nearest CSC or Franchise. Moreover new numbering series of 03111XXXXXX and 03110XXXXXX has been introduced and customers can get the number of their choice booked out of the two mentioned series at retail.
Karachi: This New Year, enjoy the freedom with the much lighter and smarter ultrabook! At witribe, empowering you with the right technology that enables you. This January, the ultra-light and smart ultrabook will keep you connected wherever you are! With 15 prizes to give away, the chance to win your very own ultrabook is only a step away! All you need to do to enter the lucky draw is simply clear your outstanding bill! The earlier you pay the greater your chances of winning! Winners will be announced soon on our Facebook fan page so don’t forget to join witribe online and stay tuned for updates.
Official website of Telenor Pakistan is reportedly hacked and defaced by a Xpired, a member of hackers’ group called “Cyberhax0rs”. “You are owned by Xpired”, a pop up message appears on a page that has been inserted into the webserver of Telenor Pakistan.
There is no other message displayed on the page, except for a security warning, which says: “Where is Security?” Xpired said that it didn’t damage any files or databases on Telenor’s server; instead just wanted to warn Telenor about the security flaws in their website. n
Profit rates on NSS revised downward
Islamabad: In response to considerable slash in discount rate by State Bank of Pakistan, the Federal Government has downward revised the profit rates on National Savings Schemes for the investment made on or after 01-01-2013. The instant revision is made in the backdrop of current market scenario and in accordance with the Government’s policy to provide market based competitive rate of return to the investors of National Savings. As per Notification issued by Federal Government the new rates for Special Savings Certificates(R)/Account, Regular Income Certificate, Defence Savings Certificates and Savings Ac-
counts has been fixed at 09.80 per cent, 10.368 per cent, 10.84 per cent and 6.65 per cent respectively. The new rates for Short Term Savings Certificates of 3 Months, 6 Months and 1 Year have been fixed at 8.85 per cent, 8.90 per cent and 8.95 per cent respectively However, the profit rate of return for specialized Savings Schemes i.e. Bahbood Savings Certificates and Pensioners’ Benefit Account has also been revised and fixed at 12.72 per cent in order to provide safety net to specialized segment of society. It is pertinent to mention that the investment made before the closing hours of 31-122012 will enjoy the previous profit rates. n
Etihad Airways sets new record for busiest day
Lahore: Etihad Airways has started the New Year by setting a record for the number of passengers carried across its worldwide network in a single day. The record was set on Saturday 5 January 2013 when 33,802 passengers flew with the Abu Dhabibased airline, beating the previous record of 33,766 set on Saturday 14 July 2012. Etihad Airways capped an impressive festive holiday season with Thursday 3 and Friday 4 January 2013 also entering the airlines top 10 ranking for busiest ever days, with 32,622 and
32,918 flying each day respectively. Two dates in January have also entered Etihad Airways’ top 10 for highest ever load factors. Flights across the airline’s network were 89.2 per cent full on Saturday 5 January (4 in the top 10) and 88.1 per cent full on Friday 4 January (9 in the top 10). James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “It has been a busy start to 2013 for Etihad Airways and it is highly satisfying to beat our previous record for passengers carried in a single day.” n
FIA investigating CJ PHC fake Facebook account
Telenor Pakistan gets hacked
Peshawar: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is conducting investigation to arrest the creator of fake Facebook id of Dost Muhammad Khan, current Chief Justice Pe-
shawar High Court of Pakistan. The FIA sources said that they are in contact with the administration of the website regarding the case. They also claimed that they will soon produce investigation report before the relevant authorities. Unconfirmed reports said that several messages had been sent to the political parties and comments relating to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were posted from the said ID. n
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PTCL, Meezan Bank sign accord for EVO services Asif Peer becomes MD Senior Manager, Con- Systems Limited
Islamabad: Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) and Meezan Bank have signed an agreement for provision of PTCL Wireless Broadband services for Meezan bank customers. As part of this partnership, Meezan Bank
customers will be able to enjoy PTCL 3G EVO Wireless Broadband services along with the services offered by the bank. The agreement was signed by Furqan Habib Qureshi, PTCL Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) Business Zone
South and Ariful Islam, Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director, Meezan Bank at an impressive ceremony held at Meezan Bank Head Office in Karachi. Sajid Shabir Mangrio, PTCL General Manager, Consumer Business South; Bashir Phulphoto, PTCL
Lahore: Warid Telecom, leading innovation in Pakistan’s telecom industry, has launched two interactive mobile apps for its customers. The launch of PakWheels and Hari Bati mobile applications is a key step by Warid Telecom towards service innovation. Warid has joined hands with PakWheels.com to bring car buying and selling on all Android mobile phones using version 2.1 and above. Customers can buy and sell cars and view price information of popular car models in Pakistan. The PakWheels Android ap-
plication will allow users to quickly and easily search and locate used cars in their city and also enable them to put their cars up for sale. In addition to PakWheels, Hari Bati is a fascinating new mobile application by Warid Telecom which has the ability to show street traffic on a map based interface. Allowing users to mark frequently visited routes and receive constant updates regarding the traffic situation directly on their handsets. The application has an in-built notification system which will push alerts to the user
when he or she is approaching a traffic jam so that the user can change course and avoid traffic. Both applications are free to download. Applications are only downloadable through a Warid GPRS connection. Once downloaded, updates on the app can be received using a wi-fi connection in addition to using GPRS. Commenting on the launch of these apps, Warid Telecom’s Chief Commercial Officer, Younas Iqbal Sheikh stated, "The proliferation of smart phones in Pakistan has made access to apps and data-based content
and manufacture sustainable products recognized by UL,” said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of the LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company. “The LA6900 embodies our desire and commitment to create products that protect not only the health of the environment, but the health of the consumer as well. We will continue to deliver market leading products capable of meeting, and in many cases exceeding industry standards.” Helping consumers to make truly informed pur-
chases, an EPD is a manufacturer-produced report that communicates a product’s impact on the environment throughout its entire lifecycle. The comprehensive assessment encompasses raw material sourcing and transportation, manufacturing processes, and shipping methods and materials. An EPD also reports the recyclability of a product and its components. Recognized around the world, UL certification indicates that an EPD contains correct and relevant information. LG’s 55-inch and 47inch LA6900 CINEMA 3D Smart TVs have been awarded SPC Gold certification by UL. Both energy efficient products are manufactured using safer, less toxic materials and pro-
sumer Business Karachi and Muhammad Raza, Executive Vice President, Meezan Bank were also present at the occasion. Furqan Habib Qureshi, PTCL Senior Executive Vice President (SEVP) Business Zone South while speaking on the occasion said “We are delighted to partner with Meezan Bank. PTCL Wireless Internet services offer convenience and ease of onthe-go internet connectivity and create new possibilities for our customers. Through this partnership and others like it, we are enhancing access to the latest ICT applications through our vast infrastructure.” n
The Chairman of Systems Limited, Mr. Aezaz Hussain announced the appointment of Mr. Asif Peer as the CEO and Managing Director of Systems Limited – effective from 1 January 2013. Mr. Peer joined Systems Limited in 1995 and moved to its subsidiary in USA, Visionet Systems, in 1999. During his tenure at Systems Limited & Visionet Systems, Mr. Peer has provided valuable contributions in the development of solutions & products that acted as a catalyst to the company’s phenomenal growth within the US Market, a statement issued by the firm said. Mr. Asif Peer succeeds Mr. Ashraf Kapadia who has been Systems Limited’s Managing Director for the past nine years and now has been appointed to serve as Advery easy for our cus- visor to the Board of Systomers and has presented tems Limited. On the Occasion, Mr. us with an opportunity to be able to better serve their needs. These two apps are the start of a series of similar launches on the Warid network that will enable our subscribers to make Lahore: Mobilink the best use of the latest Foundation has been awarded certification by technology.” Warid Telecom has the Pakistan Center of been providing conven- Philanthropy (PCP) in ience and flexibility to its recognition of the Foundation’s excellence in excustomers through various ecuting large scale huoffers and the launch of manitarian and social dethese new applications is velopment initiatives yet another step by Warid across Pakistan. MoTelecom to provide its cus- bilink Foundation has tomers innovative and become the first and only telecom industry CSR user friendly services. n function to be awarded this prestigious certification. The PCP certification duction processes. Several was awarded to Mobilink of the components em- Foundation after an exployed by LG have been tensive evaluation that specifically designed and assessed the Foundation fabricated to be more recy- for internal governance clable at the end of their op- structure, financial manerational lifespan. An SPC agement and program requires a product to meet delivery. The awarding the strict environmental of PCP certification is a performance standards as testament to the diversimeasured by the U.S. En- ty and outreach of the vironmental Protection Mobilink Foundation Agency’s Electronics Prod- and establishes the creduct Environmental Assess- ibility of its operations. Bilal Munir Shiekh, ment Tool (EPEAT). These standards cover a range of Chief Commercial Officategories, including ener- cer, Mobilink, highlightgy efficiency, the removal of ed, “The Mobilink Fountoxicity, reusability, pack- dation is a cornerstone of aging and the manufactur- Mobilink’s Corporate Reer’s efforts to improve sus- sponsibility initiative. The Foundation has containability. UL electronics product ducted some of the safety certification and largest and most sucproduct quality validations cessful humanitarian iniare recognized and re- tiatives in Pakistan’s hisspected around the globe. n tory with utmost trans-
Warid launches interactive mobile apps for its customers
LG Cinema 3D Smart TV recognized for sustainability
Karachi: LG Electronics (LG) announced that its Cinema 3D Smart TV's (55LA6900) Environment Product Declaration (EPD) has been certified by UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and has received a Sustainable Product Certification (SPC). An internationally respected technology testing company, UL certifies manufacturer-produced EPDs and products which meet strict environmental performance and sustainability criteria. “LG is proud to have its ongoing efforts to develop
Aezaz Hussain, Chairman of Systems Limited, said that “Systems Limited is a unique company primarily owned by its key employees. It is this employee ownership which has been a main source of strength and success of the company, particularly during difficult times. Today in its 35th year a number of key employees and management of Systems Limited have retired or passed on. In keeping with our commitment to growing ownership by employees, on the advice of the Board of Directors of Systems Limited, its shareholders approved the transition of significant ownership to the future key employees of the company led by Arshad Masood CEO of Visionet Systems (the US partner of Systems Limited) and Asif Peer and their strong team of Engagement Managers. n
Mobilink Foundation receives Pakistan Center for Philanthropy certification
parency. I would like to thank PCP for acknowledging Mobilink Foundation’s endeavors to provide education, healthcare, environmental protection and disaster relief for the communities we operate in.” Tanwir Ali Agha, Executive Director, PCP, added, “The PCP certification is a very rigorous process where organizations are evaluated against over 80 evaluation parameters. Mobilink's qualification for certification shows that it has financial controls and good governance practices in place.” PCP is the only NonProfit Organization (NPO) certification agency authorized by the Government of Pakistan, with certification by PCP authenticating the credibility, transparency and performance of NonProfit Organizations (NPO) through an assessment and validation process. This also includes verification of the evaluation by an independent certification panel comprising of representatives of SECP, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), members of media and prominent civil society organizations. n
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China court orders Apple to pay for copyright violation Technology giant Apple has been ordered to pay compensation to eight Chinese writers and two companies for selling unlicensed books online, state media reported. The California-based company was ordered to pay a total fine of $165,908 to the plaintiffs for violating their copyrights. The ruling was issued by the Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court, the report said. Xinhua quoted a lawyer for the plaintiffs as saying they had seen applications that contained unlicensed electronic ver-
sions of their books available for download last year. The downloads, which were described as being in great quantity and resulted in large economic losses for the plaintiffs, the lawyer was quoted as saying. The court decided that the plaintiffs' "right of communication through information networks" covered by China's Copyright Law had been violated by Apple through its provision of apps that included the unlicensed books. n
Facebook is preparing to launch a new feature for its Messenger app which allows users of the social networking site to place free voice calls to friends. The feature is so far available only to smartphone users in Canada and is buried within the latest update to the app, but it will eventually allow users to make free internet voice calls, known as VoIP calls, to any Facebook friend. Experts are saying it represents an attempt by the world's largest social network to dominate the social world by taking on the default as well as the timetable for calling function in mothe licensing process, guide- bile phones. The new feature lines regarding the applicants and contents of the application, in addition to application procedures. The document would also include the general framework of the MVNO agreement. MVNO is a wireless communications services provider that does not own the radio spectrum or wireless network infrastructure over which the MVNO proOakland: A federal vides services to its cus- judge rejected Apple's tomers. An MVNO enters claim of false advertising into a business agreement for Amazon.com to refer with a mobile network op- to its online shop for moerator to obtain bulk access bile gadget applications to network services at as an "app store." wholesale rates, then sets "Apple has failed to retail prices independently. An MVNO may use its own establish that Amazon customer service and billing made any false statement support systems, marketing of fact that actually deand sales personnel or it ceived or had the tendenmay employ the services of cy to deceive a substantial a Mobile Virtual Network segment of its audience," Enabler (MVNE). n US District Judge Phyllis Hamilton said in her rul-
Saudi Arabia releases MVNO licence document Jeddah: Saudi Arabia's telecoms regulator has unveiled the document containing formalities and procedures to submit appli-
cations to win the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licence. The move aims to improve standard of telecoms and IT services, as well as to increase investment in this vital sector. The document by the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) would contain the conditions and criteria for the process of submitting application, and conditions to be met by the applicants,
Facebook app to allow free voice calls to friends
comes at the same time as Facebook Messenger rolled out a new feature worldwide which allows users to record and send a voicemail-type message to friends. Working in a similar way to video messaging in the company's Poke app, users press and hold a red record button, speak their message, and it appears in line as part of the conversation. One-tenth the size of the US, but with very similar demographics and mobile usage trends, Facebook is using Canada as a testing ground in advance of rolling out the feature in other markets. n
More than 40bn apps downloaded for Apple gadgets San Francisco: Apple announced that more than 40 billion "apps" have been downloaded for its beloved gadgets, with the California Company paying out billions of dollars to developers. Nearly half of those downloads for iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch devices were done last year, with the App Store seeing a record-setting December in which two billion copies of mini-programs were snatched up. "It has been an incredible year for the iOS developer community," said Apple senior vice president of Internet software and services Eddy Cue. There are more than 500 million active accounts at the App Store, which is stocked with more than 775,000 applications for
iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch devices, according to Apple. Apple said that the amount of money it has paid out to app makers has topped seven billion dollars. A Temple Run game made for Apple gadgets by a husband-and-wife team at Imangi Studios was downloaded more than 75 million times, while the studios behind games DragonVale and Clash of Clans brought in a combined total of $100 million. "The success of our game Temple Run in 2012 was nothing short of astonishing," said Imangi Studios co-founder Keith Shepherd. "We were simply looking to create a game that was fun and easy to play, but once it hit the App Store, the game took off." n
Amazon fends off Apple claim to "Appstore" name Lexus unveils advanced safety ing. Fire tablets. "The mere use of 'AppApple sued Amazon, research car store' by Amazon to designate a site for viewing and downloading/purchasing apps cannot be construed as a representation that the nature, characteristics, or quality of the Amazon Appstore is the same as that of the Apple App Store." Apple in 2008 launched its App Store, which is stocked with mini-programs for iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch devices. Amazon in late 2011 opened its "Appstore," which sells applications tailored for Android-powered mobile devices for the Seattle, Washingtonbased retail giant's Kindle
claiming its rival was engaging in false advertising as well as trademark infringement. US officials are still considering Apple's application to trademark the term "App Store," but that did not deter the company from pressing its case in Hamilton's courtroom in the California city of Oakland. Software titan Microsoft is among the companies that have weighed in against letting the Cupertino, California, company have a trademark giving it the exclusive right to call a mobile applications market an "app store." n
Toyota and Lexus have been silently working on a new technology, one which will help drivers to make apt judgment during driving. At the CES 2013 held in North America, Lexus showcased an LS sedan equipped with three high-definition cameras which can detect objects up to a distance of 500 feet. The LS also had 360-degree lasers which will warn the driver of objects within a distance of 220 feet. To keep track of vehicles at intersections, there are three radar units as also GPS which determines the orientation. Tests on this car are being carried out at the Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Japan across an 8.6-acre testing facility. n
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Windows 8 sales steady, hit 60mn since launch
Microsoft Corp has sold 60 million licenses and upgrades for its new Windows 8 operating system in the 10 weeks since its launch, one of the top executives of the compa-
ny's Windows unit said at the Consumer Electronics Show. The figure marks a solid but unspectacular start for Microsoft's new flagship product, which
has not managed to revive lagging personal computer sales, while new touch-screen Windows devices have not yet captured consumers' imaginations. Windows 8 sales are growing in line with those of Windows 7, Microsoft's last operating system, launched in 2009, said Tami Reller, chief financial officer of the Windows division, in a presentation to analysts and investors at the annual tech show in Las Vegas.
Intel unveils chips for smartphones Intel, the world’s largest chip-maker, has announced its plans for powering smartphones with its chips and a platform specifically tailored for emerging markets. The announcement came with the unveiling of an Atom processor targeting low-end smartphones and power-sipping Core series chips for tablets and laptops at the Consumer Electronics
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Scores of people from around the world were came to Las Vegas to see the future of technology at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, the world's largest consumer technology trade show. What might surprise people is that the next cutting-edge technologies may not be a smart Trail, which will be available TV or a tablet - they are in devices for the end-of- health-related innovations year. Intel said that it will target emerging markets, an area which has huge potenSeoul: South Korean contial with customers who are glomerate LG Group would still to buy their first smart- boost investment in its elecphone. Intel said that Acer tronics business by more will be one of the first cus- than 30 percent in 2013, tomers for its smartphone stepping up its challenge to rival Samsung. devices. Of a total 20 trillion won “The best of Intel is coming to a mobile device ($18.8 billion) it said had near you,” said an Intel ex- been set aside for investecutive during his notes. n ment, 13.4 trillion won is earmarked for LG Electronics, which makes TVs, PCs and smartphones, and LG were covered by a 2003 li- Display, which makes discensing deal that allows plays used in everything from RIM to use Nokia's TVs to mobile handsets. The lion's share of the patented technology. capital will be spent on buildNokia dominated the international mobile mar- ing ultra-high resolution liqket for more than a decade uid crystal display (LCD) and but has of late lagged be- organic light emitting diodes hind smartphone rivals (OLED) display plants, and such as Apple and Sam- more advanced smartphone sung, and credit rating and TV production lines. OLED technology lets agencies have downgradproducers make TVs that ed the company due to consume less power while concerns over its profoffering a sharper picture itability and its cash posithan conventional flat panels, tion. n and is expected to be the
that are already in their hands. A majority of Americans - 53 percent, according to a recent national survey - don't use consumer electronics to access important health care information, options and services. However, more than 60 percent of survey respondents anticipate increasing their use of consumer technology for just these purposes during the next year. This suggests the public is starting to realize how technology and consumer electronics can help them learn more about health, empower them to take better control of their individual health, and even simplify the entire health care system. n
LG boosts investment in electronics arms
Show in Las Vegas. With this move Intel will take on Qualcomm, currently that largest marketshare holder for smartphone chips. Intel aims to
sell 500 million units by 2015. Intel also outlined plans to introduce a quad- core version of its tablet chip lineup, code-named Bay
RIM paid Nokia $65.8 mn for patents Helsinki: BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) paid rival Nokia $65.8 million to settle a patent dispute. Analysts believe RIM will also have to pay the Finnish company a licence fee of between $2 and $5 for each handset sold using Nokia technology. Last month, Nokia withdrew all its lawsuits against RIM after reaching an agreement on patents relating to WLAN local area network technology, but
The latest Windows 8 figure means Microsoft sold around 20 million Windows 8 licenses and upgrades since the end of November, when it announced 40 million sales in the first month on the market. That puts sales broadly in line with Windows 7, which averaged 19.4 million sales per month in its first nine months on the market, when PC sales were running at a lower level than today. n
Health care technology at your fingertips
said the terms of the deal were confidential. However, in a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the
Canadian company revealed the size of the lump sum settlement. "The financial structure of the agreement includes a lump sum $65.8 million one-time payment, which has been recorded in the company’s consolidated statement of operations in the third quarter," it said in a document published on the agency's website. The conflict arose from different interpretations of which technologies
dominate the market for years to come. Last week, LG Electronics began accepting pre-orders for a TV that features an OLED display, in the world's first commercial sales of such TV sets. Samsung Electronics aims to start sales of its own OLED TVs later this year, although OLED displays are already used on its popular Galaxy S and Note smartphones. Struggling Japanese TV giants Sony and Panasonic also teamed up last year to jointly develop OLED panels in a bid to catch up with the South Korean competitors.
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YouTube marks 2012 with BlackBerry 10 to land on Jan 30 has set a date 'Gangnam Style' mash up for RIM the official launch of
YouTube has marked a year of viral video sensations with a "Gangnam Style" mash up of its top two songs of 2012, starring South Korean performer Psy and a horde of the video-sharing site's stars. "Rewind YouTube Style 2012" approached 16 million views one day after its release, paying homage to "Gangnam Style" and Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen's smash "Call Me Maybe". A tiny Psy next to the YouTube icon linked to the video that opens with the five members of Canadian band Walk off the Earth performing on a guitar, which Psy then smashes before introducing the parody of his own hit. "Gangnam Style" topped one billion hits after becoming the most viewed YouTube video of all time.
Twitter tops 200 million active users
Twitter said the number of active users of the service has topped 200 million, in a sign of the sizzling growth of the messaging platform. News of the milestone came in a tweet, of course, from the official Twitter account: "There are now more than 200M monthly active @twitter users. You are the pulse of the planet.
The four-minute video features dozens of cameos and visual gags, testing the limit of the viewer's awareness of YouTube culture and ability to understand all the references. The "Gangnam Style" phenomenon refuses to lose any steam, with South Korean social networks awash with conspiracies that tie Psy's horse-riding dance with 16th century French seer Nostradamus and the December 21 apocalypse prophesied by the Mayans. n
We're grateful for your ongoing support!" The number was the first official estimate from Twitter since it claimed 140 million active users. Outside analysts have provided various estimates for Twitter, which is privately held and thus not required to disclose most business data. Earlier this year, a French-based research firm said over 500 million people are on the micro-blogging site, with Americans and Brazilians the most connected. Another group, SysCon media, estimated last month that Twitter had over 465 million accounts and that the number of daily tweets had topped 175 million. A recent survey found one in seven Americans who go online use Twitter and eight percent do so every day. n
the L-Series BlackBerry 10, the handset the company is betting on to reverse its dwindling fortunes and catapult it back into the smartphone market. Scheduled for January 30, 2013, the media event will be held in several world cities including New York. Although famous for building smartphones with permanent QWERTY keyboards, the new BlackBerry will feature a full touch screen as well as a number of innovative features including BlackBerry Balance, which essentially gives a handset two identities -a business phone and a personal phone -- and
keeps work and leisure data, contacts and content separate. Other innovations include embedding access to Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Evernote as native apps so that they work across the device. However, RIM has publicly stated that it won't be turning its back on keyboards and a BlackBerry handset more familiar to its existing customers, with a full QWERTY input, is also
Microsoft to shut down Messenger on March 15
Microsoft has started notifying users of its Windows Messenger Live that the service will be shut down on March 15. Messenger users will be asked to use Skype, which has released a version that allows users to sign in with Microsoft account credentials. Microsoft says Skype will automatically import contacts from Messenger. Microsoft will shut
down Messenger worldwide on March 15, with the exception of mainland China. The transition to Skype has been known since at least last November when Microsoft announced its intentions to shut down Messenger. Messenger users will have several added benefits from switching to Skype, like making calls over the Internet and integration with Facebook. Microsoft
book Poke" and allows users to send fleeting messages, pokes, photos and 10-second videos to friends. The messages expire after a set period of time, from 1 to 10 seconds, and cannot be retrieved by either party again, making it perfect for sending salacious images without leaving a trail. n
bought Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion. The acquisition was the biggest yet for the software giant. At the time, Microsoft said it would integrate Skype with the Xbox game console, Outlook email software and Windows smartphones. Skype has also since partnered with Facebook to provide video chat across both platforms and offers the social network's news feed in its chat software. Microsoft is also an investor in Facebook. Microsoft has made strides to create a more seamless user experience across all of its products. In July 2012, Microsoft launched Outlook.com, an email client to rival Google Mail. Users of the email service will soon be able to initiate Skype calls from their inboxes. n
Washington: Electronic cigarettes may not be useful in combating smoking addiction as they are still delivering nicotine to the body, an Italian government study has warned. This "fashion gadget" should not be used by young people because, even if smaller quantities of nicotine are inhaled in this way, there are still serious potential health risks, the study by the Italian Health Ministry said. The report also raised the concern that the use of this gadget could lead young people to graduate from these devices to smoking real cigarettes, 'ABC news' reported. However, an association of electronic cigarette makers said the device is intended to help people who are already smokers. The e-cigarette is basically an electronic inhaler made up of a plastic cartridge that acts as a mouthpiece, a battery, a reservoir for a liquid aroma solution and an "atomiser" that vaporises the liquid. Some of the aroma solutions contain nicotine in different concentrations. It produces a smoke-like vapour that simulates the act of tobacco smoking and when inhaled delivers the nicotine, if used in the liquid-base, into the bloodstream via the lungs. n
Airtel’s India boss quits Samsung sells 10mn Galaxy devices in India Sanjay Kapoor, chief ex-
Facebook message that selfdestructs in 10 seconds Facebook has announced a new app that erases pictures and messages within 10 seconds of being sent. It is an advanced version of one of the social networking site's original apps, the "poke". The equivalent of a head nod or wink, the "poke" in its old form is rarely used today as the site has become more advanced. It has now been reinvented to be called "Face-
expected to roll out later in 2013. Once the darling of the smartphone world, RIM has recently fallen on hard times and has seen its share of the global smartphone market plummet to 4.2 percent. According to figures released by Canalys, the company sold 7.3 million BlackBerry handsets in the third quarter of 2012, behind Samsung (55.5 million) and Apple (26.9 million). n
E-cigarettes ineffective in fighting addiction
New Delhi: Korean company Samsung Electronics said it has sold more than 10 million Galaxy devices in the Indian market since the launch of the first Galaxy device, 'Galaxy S', in June 2010. "Innovative devices like the Samsung Galaxy S, Galaxy SII and SIII,
Galaxy Note, Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Y have caught the imagination of customers and helped us democratise the smartphone experience in the Indian market," Samsung VP (Mobile) Asim Warsi told. The Galaxy series comprises a portfolio of devices like Galaxy Y
(launched in October 2011), Galaxy SII (May 2011), Galaxy Tab (November 2011), Galaxy Tab 2 310 (May 2012) and Galaxy SIII. Though the company declined to comment on individual contribution of a particular device, Galaxy Y series, Note series and SIII together contributed more than 50 per cent of the sales. "Through our series of consistent Smartphone launches, Samsung has fuelled the growth of the smartphone market in India and has been a category leader since last year. n
ecutive of Bharti Airtel’s key Indian and South Asia unit, is to leave the operator at the end of February. Kapoor – who has served 15-years at India’s largest mobile operator – gave no reason for his departure after three years in charge of the firm’s operations in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Gopal Vittal, currently group director of special projects, will take over as the company’s India CEO, effective 1 March, the company said in a statement. He will report to Bharti Airtel’s chairman and MD Sunil Mittal. n
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China will be our biggest market: Apple chief
A
China Mobile chairman Xi Guohua and Cook discussed “bilateral cooperation,” the phone company said in a statement. It said release of other details was barred by a confidentiality agreement between the companies. China Mobile says its network already is used by several million customers who brought in unlocked iPhones from abroad. Apple opened a multi-story flagship store on a prominent corner in Beijing’s busy Wangfujing shopping district in October, raising its number of mainland retail outlets to 11. Independent stores also resell Apple products. According to Xinhua, Cook responded to complaints about wages and other work issues at Foxconn, the Taiwanese company that assembles Apple’s products in vast factories in China, by saying his company enforces strict codes of conduct for its suppliers. “We care very deeply about every worker that touches an Apple product, whether they are making it, selling it, serving it or marketing it. We hold ourselves to a very high standard there,” he added. n
Cook met the chairman of China Mobile, the world’s biggest phone carrier, with more than 700 million subscribers. China Mobile has no agreement to support the iPhone, and adding it as a partner would help Apple increase its appeal in China pple expects China to overtake the United States as its biggest market, CEO Tim Cook has told a Chinese government news agency. “China is currently our second largest market. I believe it will become our first. I believe strongly that it will,” Cook has said. Cook thought China might pass the United States. Apple spokespeople in China did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Apple has said sales in China more than doubled in 2010 and 2011 though growth has slowed in the past year. Apple’s iPhones, iPads and other gadgets are popular with China’s highest-earning consumers but its fast-growing smartphone market is dominated by handsets that use rival Google’s Android system. Cook was in Beijing to meet with Chinese regulators and managers of state-owned China Unicom, the first Chinese carrier to support Apple’s iPhone.
Xinhua said Cook did not re-
spond to rumours Apple might be developing a lower-cost iPhone for developing markets such as China. Also in Beijing, Cook met the chairman of China Mobile, the world’s biggest phone carrier, with more than 700 million subscribers. China Mobile has no agreement to support the iPhone, and adding it as a partner would help Apple increase its appeal in China.
India Inc's sales growth slips: RBI
I
The sales of non-financial private sector companies grew by 12.3 percent in the first half of 2012-13, down from 17.3 percent in the preceding six-month period. Besides, the companies' operating growth posted only a modest growth, but their 'other income' helped them register a significant growth in net profits
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ndian companies recorded a decelerating sales growth rate in the first half of current fiscal, while it was 'other income' helping them post a decent growth in net profits, an analysis of Reserve Bank says. According to the analysis, published by RBI, the sales of non-financial private sector companies grew by 12.3 percent in the first half of 2012-13, down from 17.3 percent in the preceding six-month period. Besides, the companies' operating growth posted only a modest growth, but their 'other income' helped them register a significant growth in net profits. "While there was a modest growth in operating profits, more significantly net profits went up partly contributed by 'other income', reversing the declining trend observed in the previous two half years," a report in RBI's January 2013 monthly bulletin said. The report, which is part of a series of articles putting forth views of RBI's research staff on varied issues, analysed the performance of private corporate business sector during the first half of 2012-13 based on financial results of 2,832 listed non-government and non-financial companies. The deceleration in sales growth was broadbased across manufacturing, IT and non-IT serv-
ices sectors. "Sales growth (Y-o-Y) of the corporate sector decelerated further to 12.3% during H1, 2012-13 (April-Septem-
b e r ) from 17.2 percent in H2, 2011-12 (October-March)," it said. In line with the sales, the expenditure on major heads such as consumption of raw materials (CRM) also grew at slower rates, resulting in a
modest growth in operating profits during the April-September period of the current fiscal. The report also observed that large companies (annualised sales higher than Rs. 1,000 crore) recorded relatively higher growth in sales and operating profits as well as higher profit margins than their smaller counterparts. However, sales of large companies also moderated over time and recorded the lowest growth in post-crisis period during first half of 2012-13. With moderation in the growth of interest expenses and continued support from 'non-core' other income, net profits also went up, reversing the declining trend observed in the previous two half years. While the net profit margin of the IT sector could be maintained, the non-IT services registered a fall in margin. Performance of smaller companies was relatively weak as compared with larger companies. The report covered performance of companies from sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals and medicines, cement and cement products, iron and steel, motor vehicles and other transport equipment, construction and machinery. n
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Optrix XD Sport Wide-Angle action case
Samsung Galaxy Camera availability
If you happen to own a smartphone and yet are an adrenaline junkie yourself, then you might be interested to hear about the Optrix XD Sport Wide-Angle action case, which was developed in partnership with iStabilizer. Just what the heck does the Optrix XD Sport Wide-Angle action case do? For starters, it was specially designed to be able to transform the iPhone 4, 4S and iPod touch into an extreme wide-lens camera, as users will be able to delight in the Glidepro handheld video stabilizer, rugged flexible Dolly, extendable Monopod and Flex Tripod to it's stable of accessories and mounts. John Willenborg, founder of Optrix, said, “Although the XD Sports Case is military grade.
When it comes to digital cameras, this particular market is split right down the middle, although there are others who say that we are looking at three different niches here. First, there is the mass consumer level digital cameras, and then we have the Micro Four Thirds category, followed by of course, the DSLR camp. Today, we will look at the first category with AT&T having announced that they will make available the Samsung Galaxy Camera from November 16th onwards at a relatively affordable price point of $499.99. Of course, it is a wee bit more expensive compared to other normal digital cameras in the market, but then again do bear in mind that this is a 4G connected camera.
Drift HD Ghost action camera
Memoto wearable camera
Are you an adrenaline junkie who always loves to regale the rest with tales of your latest exploits, but sometimes, the kind of words in your vocabulary does not do you any justice? If only everyone around you listening in were to see what you saw from your point of view, you thought. Perhaps that idea is not too far fetched to develop further, in the form of the Drift HD Ghost action camera. It is built upon a special feature set, which will also boast of a two-way LED remote control with on/off indicator light the first of its kind in the industry. Apart from that, you are also able to enjoy video recording/tagging capabilities in continuous loop mode, while watching a near instant playback.
Sometimes, there are moments in life that you just forgot to capture, or failed to be ready in anticipation. Having said that, since mankind is always on the lookout to improve him or herself, here is an idea that might actually take off in the long run. I am referring to the Memoto wearable camera something that is tiny enough and not obstructive at all, and yet is capable of capturing and letting you relive those more meaningful moments of your life. The Memoto is not just any camera that snaps random photos, it is wearable, sports GPS capability as well as comes with an accelerometer integrated within. Let us read on to know in deeper detail on how it works.
“Slow Down” Says Your Fork
Magnetic iPhone Friend
The health and fitness gadget category has exploded in the last year. With innovations like the FitBit and Nike Fuel, tracking your daily activity becomes easier and easier. One of the toughest parts of using these gadgets is the ongoing quest of managing your diet and food intake. If there were only a dietitian that could follow us all around and track food, remind us when to eat, tell us to slow down when eating. Sort of like having a parent with us at all times. Time to get “HAPI” with a potentially meal-altering product from HAPILABS . The HAPIfork, 2013 CES Innovation Award nominee in the Health and Fitness category, wants to help you eat literally! This digital utensil contains circuitry to monitor motion, like taking food from plate to mouth, and tinming of meals.
iPhones have really set the bar for smartphones. Those of us that have them certainly appreciate MOST of the technology. But that darn keyboard still creates issues. Without tactile reminders of where our fingers are or what we touch our fat fingers and typing speed give ample job security for the spell check programmers. Someone finally got smart though and found a sleek and discreet way to provide an iPhone keyboard and game controller while not bulking up the device. Check out the EX Hybrid, built for iPhone 5 and available for $59.90 at iPhone5mod. You get a case and two magnetic attachments to make your phone more comfortable to type or game. Pop your phone into the case. Then sync the magnetic qwerty keyboard or game controller via Bluetooth and let it cling to the case in portrait.
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Trakdot Luggage tracker
Boom Dock iSpeaker
It does not really matter whether you do a whole lot of traveling, or you just pack your suitcase once a year for the annual company trip either way, the moment your luggage gets out from your home, there is always a risk of your luggage going missing, or being rerouted to somewhere else. I suppose necessity being the mother of invention holds true, which is why the Trakdot Luggage tracker was born or rather, brought into existence. The SITA claims that nearly 26 million bags actually go missing each year from airports all over this big blue globe that we live in. Well, you need not let that statistic spoil your upcoming journey, as travelers who are deeply concerned about the safety.
When it comes to docking stations for the iOS-powered range of devices, these are dime a dozen. In fact, dime a dozen does not really describe it best, it would be a gazillion iDocks hanging around on store shelves, looking pitifully at the masses who walk by each day, hoping that someone would rescue them from such a mediocre existence so that they can really show off to the listener just what kind of audio performance they are capable of. Well, the $25.99 Boom Dock iSpeaker does not need to rest on a store shelf, as you can always make an online purchase and have it delivered right to your doorstep. Apart from that, it also comes in a shape of a boom box.
Griffin announces Survivor + Catalyst
Doctor Who Tardis Play Tent
You know that your smartphone is one of the more expensive impulse purchases that you can make (from the technological point of view that is unlike jewelry or an expensive watch, where the final price point is not to say that expensive, and yet it is crucial enough to warrant a purchase), so it makes perfect sense to do your bit and purchase adequate protection for it. Case in point (pardon the pun) would be Griffin's Survivor + Catalyst Waterproof Case for iPhone 5, where it will bring together Catalyst's expertise in designing waterproof products alongside more than two decades of experience at Griffin as one of the most established companies in the iOS accessory space.
You know what they say as a man grows up he might not be playing with little green army men made out of plastic any more, but would have moved on to big boys' toys. Some of these could be rather expensive, while others are affordable, such as the $89.99 Doctor Who Tardis Play Tent. You can be sure that the little ones in your home too, would not be able to resist playing with this, but you can kindly ask them to move out so that you can check out the 11th Doctor's control room all by yourself. Not only that, since it is made out of sturdy canvas construction and stand at nearly 6 feet in height, there is plenty of space in there to hook up with other Doctor Who fans should you erect.
Razer Orbweaver mechanical gaming keypad
Simple To Do List Recorder
When it comes to gaming peripherals, you know for sure that a company such as Razer is right there at the top of the list to be considered by gamers. I clearly remember how the original Razer Boomslang caught my attention back in the days when I was using a Logitech ball mouse, and boy was it a looker! Well, Razer has graduated to many different kinds of gaming peripherals since, and this time around, we are privy to the Razer Orbweaver mechanical gaming keypad which intends to offer you an edge in executing your in-game commands, so much so that you will always remain a step ahead of the competition. Razer Orbweaver, in a nutshell, is a fully customizable mechanical gaming keypad that features adaptable ergonomics for maximum control, sporting tournament-grade controls which would definitely put any worries of it not being able to withstand the rigors of adrenaline pumping gaming.
So the new year, or to be more exact, 2013 is already in full swing as we approach the end of the first week of this year, and how many of you have already managed to stick to your resolutions made before the stroke of midnight of January 1st? There is certainly nothing to be ashamed about as you start afresh and brush off this week's failures, and perhaps if you had the Simple To Do List Recorder, it would help you in your quest to remember what is right at the top of your “to do� list each day as you wake up and face the next 24 hours. Basically, the Simple To Do List Recorder does what it says it is capable of organizing verbal reminders and to-do lists with the touch of a button. There are large buttons labeled groceries, notes, and family so that you know which is for what, and it goes about instantly storing voice memos in separate digital files.
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If all you saw were screenshots, you could be forgiven for thinking that Guardians of Middle-earth is some kind of timely Hobbit tie-in with League of Legends, so extensively does it borrow from the popular MOBA's playbook. But thanks to a few significant changes, Guardians manages to stand on its own. For one, it succeeds in adapting the controls and mechanics for consoles, and for another, its timed battles and redesigned upgrades streamline the experience for the sake of fun while sacrificing little of the genre's depth. What's more, a clear love of Tolkien's universe shines through in its 20 guardians and their associated abilities. If it weren't for bouts of crippling lag and frequent disconnects, Guardians of Middleearth would be a must-have game for anyone who enjoys both multiplayer online battle arenas and the Lord of the Rings franchise. Guardians of Middle-earth isn't the first MOBA for consoles, but it's the first that has made great strides at reproducing the depth of popular isometric lane-based MOBAs like League of Legends and Dota 2. The concept is simple in theory: two teams of five players begin on opposite sides of a map, and they advance toward their opponents down three separate lanes with the help of waves of non-player character drones, destroying towers along the way. Destroy your opponent's central tower at his base, and you win the game. The depth lies in the details. In the case of Guardians, you start each match at level 1 and level in health and power toward a meta-level cap of 14, gaining points for your three existing abilities and one devastating "ultimate" ability beginning at level 5. It's a design that lets you get powerful quickly, given Guardians' comparatively low cap. Even if you don't particularly care for Tolkien, there's a lot to love here in spite of the annoying server issues. It's a promising entry point for newcomers to the MOBA genre, and it plays smoothly enough to satisfy the more hardcore veterans of the genre. Calling a game "enhanced" justifiably raises expectations. You go into it looking for something extra, an improvement over the original plain-Jane version that you can see and feel. With that in mind, it is hard to view Overhaul Games' Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition as anything but a disappointment. Yes, this revamped and pumped-up take on the 1998 Dungeons & Dragons classic from BioWare is just as compelling and hard to put down as the 14-year-old forebear that became a gold standard for role-playing games. But it doesn't add anything of real value to the experience aside from interface and graphical tweaks long available to the original game through free mods, along with largely forgettable new content in a trio of potential party members and an arena combat mode. And to make matters worse, the game arrived loaded with bugs and remains shaky even after a few patches. You have to have real affection for the arcane rule system of D&D to appreciate how much this game offered to Gygax enthusiasts back in the late '90s--or to even appreciate it now, because the Enhanced Edition sticks with the labyrinthine second-edition Advanced D&D rule set from the late '80s that powered the original game, rather than the totally overhauled rules that have been around in third and fourth iterations since 2000. If you have no experience with D&D, you may have some reading in store. Even if you have some familiarity with the modern versions of the great-granddaddy of RPGs, you need to understand how the game was played over a decade ago to get the most out of the complex mechanics. The new content does not do much to improve the overall character of the game. The main saga has been bolstered with three new characters that draw on character classes and skills not available in the original Baldur's Gate. But while the half-orc Blackguard Dorn isn't a bad addition, because of his two-handed magic sword and ability to level up quickly into a melee powerhouse, both the wild mage Neera and the monk Rasaad are tougher to appreciate.
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When the story leaves those cliches behind for deeper territory, however, it does manage to communicate ideas of substance. It takes many hours for its themes to come together in a coherent way--yet in certain aspects, the incoherence makes sense. As protagonist Jason Brody, your initial quest to rescue your friends from a chaotic and truly frightful pirate named Vaas turns into a personal journey blurred by drugs, and fueled by the desire to follow a new and exciting spiritual path. Those friends are too shallow for you to care much about them, which keeps the story at arm's length for a good half of the game. But his friends' shallowness ultimately allows Jason to take a guilt-free look inward, as he grows further mesmerized by the customs of the local Rakyat tribe that takes him under its wing. You might see the narrative curveballs coming after a while, but the trippy manner in which certain events unfold effectively blurs the lines between reality and Jason's occasionally drug-addled imagination. Nonetheless, narrative oddities stand out. Some of Jason's friends are strangely unaffected by the horrors inflicted upon them. The game quickly glosses over an event that would make most of us emotional wrecks, making Jason's proclamations that the issue was harder to deal with than he expected ring hollow. Some moments seem made to be shocking for the sake of shock alone--not because they develop the world or its characters--but Far Cry 3 isn't so much about story as it is about its world, and the ways you exploit it for your own personal enjoyment. Story missions have you navigating caves and holding off enemies in modern shooter fashion, but out in the wild, you have an entire paradise to tame. And it's that lush and menacing world that makes Far Cry 3 utterly enthralling. The game is big, certainly, but where Far Cry 2 could feel aimless, its sequel feels more focused without ever losing its sandbox appeal. One core activity may sound familiar to returning fans: you shoot up enemy outposts so that you may liberate them.