Etisalat takes BlackBerry beyond email
40,000 users make Etisalat the largest BlackBerry provider in the region
BlackBerry users in the UAE can now expect a world beyond email with Etisalat announcing its intention to expand the scope of its BlackBerry service by introducing a Middle East version of Garmin Navigation software for users in the UAE.
This new subscription based service which will soon be launched will give users the convenience of finding their way around the UAE with turn-by-turn directions and coverage of the entire country. Garmin Mobile is the first off-board cellular phone navigation system that visually depicts and constantly updates a user’s position on a detailed moving map.
Garmin BlackBerry navigation solution will make it very easy for users to get directions with their BlackBerry device. Users can take their device with them and navigate with ease and enjoy routing around busy traffic, viewing the local weather and even finding the nearest petrol station whenever they want. Users will also get the latest GPS coordinates with automatic updates on a regular basis throughout the year once they sign up.
With Garmin Mobile, customers will receive voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions so they can easily navigate to a specific street address or points of interest like hotels, restaurants, shopping, and tourist attractions. The text-to-speech functionality allows the unit to audibly announce the name of streets and lets drivers keep their eyes on the road while navigating through busy traffic and tricky roadways. If users stray off course, Garmin Mobile will automatically calculate the quickest way to get back on track.
Garmin Mobile will be supported on Etisalat BlackBerry devices that are GPS enabled which are the 8310 and 8820 Models. Etisalat currently offers Four Models of BlackBerry Smartphones, 8700, 8100, 8310, and 8820. All Etisalat offered Qwerty BlackBerry Smartphones are Arabic enabled with English/Arabic keypad.
Today, customers across industries are reaping the benefits of a reliable BlackBerry solution due to the network stability and high performance of Etisalat’s Mobile Data network. Etisalat also gives customers the advantage of using the service globally in 101 countries through a wide range of roaming agreements
“The introduction of the Garmim Mobile Application for BlackBerry will be a very welcome and affordable addition for BlackBerry users and will turn their BlackBerry handset into an extremely useful tool to help them navigate their way around different cities in the UAE, “said Abdulla Hashim, VP, Enterprise Solutions, Etisalat. “From our perspective, we see this as the first step in Etisalat’s efforts to allow users to transform their BlackBerry into a much more versatile and powerful device with the promise of more value added applications in the near future.”
From his side, Mr.Essa Al Haddad CMO Etisalat, commented on Etisalat have the largest BB customer base in the region and said: "launching BlackBerry service has been a turning point in business communications, as it added flexibility and creativity in addition to it enhancing productivity and performance, we are proud to be the pioneer provider of this service and the first to launch it in the region with a customer base that exceeds 40 thousand subscriber.
