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WAP on its way to GCC

Dubai, 1 June, 2001:
Ducont, a new UAE startup, is rolling out wireless data services based on the WAP protocol. In the very near future, users with mobile phones that support WAP will be able to carry out sophisticated banking transactions on their handsets, providing their bank offers the service.

Ducont will help banks setup and manage mobile banking portals, and in return will take retainer fees, that it says will be highly competitive. Ducont is the brainchild of Ivan Fernandes, formerly regional director of Logica, and local businessman, Ahmed Al Rafi.Logica is a leading developer of banking software, so Fernandes knows a thing or two about financial services. "We have to be unique in e-commerce, so let's look at the mobile Internet," says Fernandes.

That's where Ducont started off. WAP banking differs from SMS banking, which is available now, in that WAP allows for interactivity.With SMS, users simply receive messages and notifications from their bank.

With WAP however, users can actively move money around their accounts, make transfers (if the banks services supports it), request balances, and more. Later Ducont will offer "mobile office" services. Think of having to go to your office in the morning to check your e-mail, scheduler and address book. With Ducont's services, this information is maintained on a server that you can access through your WAP phone.