Home> About Us> Press Room> eGovernment launches…

eGovernment launches mobile portal
It allows cell phone users to access e-services.

Dubai - Mobile phone users in Dubai have become the first in the Middle East to be able to log onto the internet and access information through a mobile portal launched yesterday by the Dubai eGovernment.

The service is part of a customer “wish list” derived from an in-depth survey which the Dubai eGovernment is trying to fulfill, said Salem Al Shair, eServices director, at the press launch of the service.

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

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

Six categories

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

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

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

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

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

IT partners in this venture are Ducont and Sybase.

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