IT & Telecom News Update 8th Feb 2010

Warid not selling its stakes
Amid all speculations in the market about Warid Telecom Pakistan planning to sell off the operations due to the shrinking interest in Pakistani Market, the mobile telecom has categorically and unequivocally denies such reports and impressions.

Warid Telecom Pakistan is not being sold off; rather is on course with its expansion plans with the continuing focused view to extend quality services to its loyal customers to whom it is deeply grateful. Warid Telecom Pakistan also extends sincere thanks to its business partners for their support and professional contribution.

Listening movies: Mobilink launches new service
Mobilink Pakistan has launched a new and innovative service allowing users to listen to select movies on their cell phones. Jazz Audio Cinema, launched under the umbrella of Mobilink Jazz, Pakistan’s favorite prepaid cellular brand, is the first of its kind allowing users to enjoy the original dialogues and songs of popular blockbusters on the go.

The movies have been adapted into a storytelling format and converted into the duration of 60 to 90 minutes. Commenting on the service, Wasif Mustafa, Director Value Added Services IR, Products and Platform shared that the cellular handset now has become a tool not only for communication, but also entertainment.

At Mobilink, we continue to add value to the cellular experience with our new and innovative product portfolio, which is the largest in the telecom industry. The Jazz Audio Cinema is an exclusive treat brought to Pakistani audiences for the first time”, he added.

Over 97.5 million people using mobile phones: PTA
Cellular phone industry has registered a phenomenal growth from 2000 to 2009, as at present there are 97,579,940 mobile phone users against 306,493 in 2000, according to PTA data. The cellular phone industry has blossomed over the years and the government was collecting billions of rupees in the shape of different taxes imposed on the usage of cell phones.

PTA data revealed that in 2008, 88 million people were using the facility of mobile phones that at the end of 2009 touched 97.5 million. Wireless phone users have reached 2.7 million in 2009, up by 15 percent. Likewise Internet users are also increasing with each passing day. Broadband users increased up by 42 percent to 587,000. Cellular Mobile Density in 2000 was 0.22 and in 2009 and it has reached 59.60, which indicates that about 60 percent of the Pakistani people were using cell phones.

NetSol revenues increased 105 percent in second quarter
The revenues of the NetSol Technologies Ltd increased by 105 percent during the 2nd quarter of the financial year 2009-10 as compared with the corresponding period.

According to a press statement issued by the NetSol Technologies on the financial results for 2nd quarter of 2009-10, the gross profit of the company has been increased by 67 percent to Rs 280.97 million as compared to 36 percent increase to Rs 73.17 million during the corresponding period of the last year.

The diluted earnings per share stayed at Rs 2.57 as compared to earnings per share of Rs 0.18 reported in the corresponding period of financial year 2008-09.

Commenting on the financial results of 2nd quarter of 2009-10, the NetSol Technologies Ltd Chairman and CEO Salim Ghauri said the exponential growth in the company’s earnings in first two quarters of the current fiscal suggest very bright prospects ahead.

1st International IT Service Management Conference held in Dubai
Trillium Information Security System in collaboration with Pink Elephant organized the 1st IT Service Management Conference on 26-27th January 2010 at Jumeirah Beach Hotel Dubai. The event was gold sponsored by Loyalist (Certification Services) and endorsed by itSMF (IT Service Management Forum).

The conference focused on the major issues faced by the IT industry today like how to reduce IT costs, improve IT business integration and improve bottom line results. The speakers of the conference included the world’s-renowned consultants, Mr. David Ratcliffe (Co-Founder and President of Pink Elephant), Mr. Gary Case(Principle Consultant, Pink Elephant), Troy DuMoulin (AVP Product Strategy, Pink Elephant) and George Spalding(Executive Vice President Pink Elephant). Mr. Gary Case, Mr. Troy DuMoulin and Mr. George Spalding are also co authors of ITIL V 3.0.

The conference was attended by CIO/IT Heads and officials of well-known IT companies from Middle East including Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Courts, Emirates NBD Bank, Etisalat, Mindscope IT, Mashreq Bank, Arya Hamrah, and National Bonds Corporation.