KARACHI: Telenor Pakistan has leveraged Nokia Siemens Networks' off-grid site solution to inaugurate the first of 28 such sites planned across Pakistan. Residents of remote villages in Sindh Pakistan are enjoying their first experience with mobile communications. The previously unconnected hinterland has the distinction of hosting the country's first solar powered GSM network in a Universal Service Fund (USF) assisted area.

Universal Service Fund and Telenor Pakistan entered into the contract to provide basic telephony and data services in un-served areas of Mirpurkhas, Sindh on March 13, 2009. CEO USF Parvez Iftikhar inaugurated the first of 28 planned sites. At the occasion, Iftikhar appreciated Telenor Pakistan's initiative to leverage Nokia Siemens Networks off grid solution to offer telecom services to communication deprived areas.

"We are extremely pleased with the progress thus far and look forward to opportunities that enable mobile connectivity to the unserved and underserved population of the country and that too using a renewable energy solution," he added. A 7-hour drive from the main city of Karachi and at least an hour and a half from the nearest town - Umarkot, the site lies in the deep interior of the Sindh province.

In the absence of a reliable state electricity grid, Nokia Siemens Networks' off-grid site solution harvests solar energy to power the base station sites. "The remoteness of the site posed significant challenges in terms of transportation of staff and materials," added Saad M Waraich, Country Director, Pakistan & Afghanistan, Nokia Siemens Networks. "However, we overcame all obstacles to launch services by the target date.

LAHORE: Orascom Telecom, parent organisation of Pakistan’s leading cellular company, is in talks to acquire a microfinance bank in order to enter the financial business and strengthen its appearance in the country.

The News has learnt that a delegation of Orascom comprising almost seven members including the former CEO Mobilink Zohair Khaliq is currently in Pakistan to look this deal. In this regard the first round of talk between the Orascom people and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) was already held while the company has seriously been looking to acquire the microfinance bank in order to improve the mobile commerce services.

The team of Orascom has been looking into legal matters, regulations and other issues concerned in this regard.

Sources related to this development revealed that any microfinance type bank is always suitable for telecom company for successful service delivery mobile based banking. They mentioned that Telenor Pakistan had already acquired Tameer Microfinance Bank to promote its mobile based banking services and currently providing various financial services through mobile services.

In such scenario the Orascom is also keen to acquire a microfinance bank to focus on mobile based banking, they said adding that previously the Egyptian company had shown interest in Royal Bank of Soctland acquiring deal as well as to enter into the conventional banking.

They mentioned that in future financial regime the mobile banking would be the greatest tool of banking.

In mobile banking the conventional banking tools were not used like cheques and other instruments so the customer-base of mobile companies gets some basic facilities through mobile banking. They said the telecom companies have strong infrastructure in rural areas and by using this infrastructure.

They said globally the conventional banks avoid reaching themselves to rural areas due to high operational costs so the mobile companies have huge opportunities to avail this market for m-commerce, and Africa and Nigeria have huge success stories about it as over $10 billion transaction were made through mobile banking there.

Lahore:– Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has laid out a confident vision for continued growth and expansion in the region at the Samsung Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Forum held in Vienna. Samsung reinforced its leadership in markets such as home entertainment and mobile phones. Before a high-powered audience of media, dealers and partners, Samsung showcased a complete suite of its full 2010 product lineup, including the new award-winning solution of full 3D HD entertainment products.
Samsung also unveiled exciting new products in emerging categories like home appliances, digital imaging, PCs and printers. Last year, the company posted record revenues of nearly $118 billion and a full-year operating profit of close to $9.4 billion. Samsung also reaffirmed its commitment to its new green (Environmental) initiatives.
The Country Manager, Samsung Pakistan, Mr. Steve Han said, “In 2010 we must continue with innovation and design to meet the needs of our consumers. We are putting the environment first, through sustainable practices and programs.”
In April, Samsung will be the first to deliver a range of Full HD 3D televisions (LED, LCD and plasma), and AV products like 3D Blu-ray, 3D home theater systems, 3D glasses and 3D content. These feature Internet@TV, with Video-on-Demand access to Samsung Apps. It will introduce four high-end digital cameras and ultra compact camcorders in 2010 - the EX1, the WB 2000, the HMX-U20 and 8 new NX10 lenses offering Full-HD video and built-in USB connection.
Among other noteworthy innovations in Samsung Home appliances are the RL55/ 52 series refrigerator, with an intelligent LCD display conveying family messages. The side-by-side H series fridge with the first ever “push type” handle. The Omni-Pro microwave, with unique multi-sensor technology, the Samsung washing machine protects delicate fabrics and saves energy, while the Samsung Mont Blanc AC uses Virus Doctor (SPI technology) to reduce harmful bacteria. The Navibot robot cleaner offers a superior camera-based navigation system, “Visionary Mapping.”
Ranked number one in the full touch mobile phone segment, Samsung’s extraordinary phones are driven by upto 1 GHz processors. The “Wave” cellphone has the world’s first “Super AMOLED” display, a “TouchWiz 3.0” interface and is powered by Samsung Bada, (a new open mobile development platform). The Monte is a dazzling feature phone with GPS. Samsung Apps, was also launched on mobile phones last year, will expand to several MENA markets in 2010.
In the I.T. arena Samsung created the LED Pico Projector and the slim PX2370 monitor. The first large format display 650TS is an interactive whiteboard with a touch screen and easy-sharing. The Samsung E60 and E100 are revolutionary E-books. The P580 and R580 notebooks and N210 and NB30 netbooks offer great performance & longer battery life. The P580 notebook comes packed with Intel’s Calpella Platform, a 16:9 LED Backlit LCD and an nVidia processor, while the R580 multimedia notebook features an “invisible” touch pad that blends into the palm rest. Samsung printers offer One-touch functionality.

Lahore: March 9, 2010:- Mobilink offers its subscribers amazing value added services at their finger tips. Keeping this tradition, Mobilink brings yet another exciting new service, ‘Jazz TV Guide’, for all the TV lovers out there. Jazz TV Guide offers amazing convenience and utility to Mobilink customers as the subscribers can access program schedules and receive alerts of their favorite TV channel right on their mobile phones.

Subscribers can choose from 20 most popular TV channels and can also browse category-wise schedules. The five categories to browse from are; Drama, Movies, Music, News, and Sports. Mobilink customers can either subscribe to a TV channel’s monthly schedule or they can set program alerts for all their favorite shows. The SMS alerts are sent exactly an hour before the favorite show begins, so with Jazz TV Guide SMS alerts, customers will never miss show on TV again!

Service Mechanics:
Customers can send “tv” to 717 and receive the following menu options:

1. Channel schedule
2. Category-wise schedule
3. Channel schedule subscription
4. Program alert subscription

Customers can make their desired menu selection and reply with the relevant menu ID.

Please note: Schedules are dependent upon TV channel feeds.

For more details about Jazz TV Guide, log on to www.mobilinkworld.com and make your TV viewing experience a lot more enjoyable.

KARACHI: MCB Asset Management Company (MCB AMC) has expressed its intention to merger with Arif Habib Invesment Limited. MCB AMC announced its plan to merge with Arif Habib Investment Limited (AHIL) on Tuesday at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) and said the proposed merger is part of its strategy to improve and strengthen its asset management business. “This will help the merged entity to offer more diversified range of funds to its customers”, it said. Meanwhile, the announcement from Arif Habib Investment Limited also endorsed the proposed merger that both entities have definitely entered into discussion for this merger.