Mobile rivals queue up to usurp favourite

Dubai: With the BlackBerry apparently on its death bed in the UAE, alternative mobile email software is offering similarly secured communication on the fly for iPhone, Android and Nokia phone users.

According to a latest report in June by industry analyst Gartner, Canadian firm Research in Motion's (RIM) BlackBerry services "offers a richer set of security and management capabilities than any other products".

Services cut off

But there are solid wireless mobile email alternatives, Gartner said, for BlackBerry users who may see their services cut off by UAE authorities on October 11.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) announced Sunday that BlackBerry's Messenger, e-mail and web-browsing services would be suspended given that the services "operate beyond the enforcement of [TRA] regulations."

The new Gartner report, however, said an alternative product, Good Mobile Messenging, is among the "most viable where strong security and international roaming are required."

New models

In February, Good Technology and LG Electronics announced a worldwide licensing agreement that will see six new LG phone models embedded with the new Good secure communications software.

By late last year, Good Technology said that more 500 enterprises had already deployed its Good for Enterprise applications for iPhone and Android.

Good officials couldn't be reached by Gulf News at press time from their UK offices.

John Herrema, Chief Marketing Officer at Good Technology, marvelled at the rate of growth of its encrypted software on mobile phones.

"In just a few months, Android has gained amazing traction, joining the iPhone as a highly demanded alternative to BlackBerry devices," Herrema said in a statement in December 2009.

The firm said on its website that the new Good for Enterprise "provides the highest levels of security and management including remote wipe capabilities, on-device data encryption, and the ability to manage all devices from a single, web-based management console."

Forced to adapt

Rosalind Craven, Senior Telecommunications Analyst for Business Monitor International, said finding an alternative to BlackBerry will force business users to adapt if the UAE ban is for certain.

"I think there is potential for business to suffer to a certain extent. To some degree, people are adaptable and will find and use alternatives, but I also think that this is a strategic move from the UAE [and Saudi Arabia] to try and get RIM to agree to some of their demands," Craven told Gulf News.

"I am not entirely familiar with the working of all mobile lessening systems, but I would imagine that alternative [software programs] are so well encrypted and secure as BBS … would also likewise eventually run into problems, since it's the very level of security that the governments are objecting to."

Faten Bader, Telecommunications analyst with Arab Advisors Group in Jordan, said any BlackBerry ban will create a vacuum in the UAE for competitors to fill with alternative services.

"This is good news for other mobile phone manufacturers such as Nokia. Maybe new handsets will be launched," Bader said.

Bader said etisalat and du need to come up with alternative services "to satisfy clients who are already using these [BlackBerry)]services."

‘Multiple decisions'

Neil Batstone, a business development manager for Verizon based in Dubai, said suddenly the "smartphone, Android and iPhone could be the option. Clearly there are multiple technology decisions people can make assuming the ban goes forward."

Batstone said he would "be very surprised if BlackBerry makes a decision to close these two markets to their services."

It would be a shame, however, to lose BlackBerry's secure services, he said.

"The BlackBerry for me is an invaluable tool," he said.

Chris Fernando, Managing Editor of PC magazine Middle and Near East, said if the ban moves forward businesses can turn to internal servers such as the Microsoft Exchange Server to handle secure business emails among employees.

For individuals, businesses can simply subscribe to existing 3D package services offered by etisalat and du to go online on their mobile phones and log into existing hot mail accounts.