Taking internet to the fringes

Dubai: Remote areas of the Middle East that still lack modern telecommunication infrastructure can now enjoy access to high-speed internet, courtesy Smartlink Communication.

A new service launched by the company at this year's Gitex technology fair enables access to the internet with little more than a small satellite dish (not exceeding 96 cm in diameter) and a receiver similar to the television set-top box.

Khalid Derbas, chairman and CEO of Smartlink, said, "The company will offer the services at prices ranging from $150 [Dh551] to $1,500, depending on the specifications and the bandwidth or capacity that the client requests."

Focus on banking

Smartlink will provide internet and communication services across 36 Middle Eastern countries including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, Egypt and Yemen. Derbas said the new technology would benefit individual users, public and government authorities, companies, banks, embassies and universities. "It will enable users to receive and transmit all kinds of data - flexibly and at the lowest costs - using the latest communications technology," he said.

Smartlink is particularly focused on the banking, financial and secure electronic networks sectors, offering tailor-made solutions to suit a client's specific needs, from general security to minimising the risk of penetration and tracking. Another solution that Smartlink offers the banking sector is cost-effective, high bandwidth links between banks' ATMs and point of sales (PoS), providing greater flexibility and freedom in selecting locations by overcoming the lack of telecommunications infrastructure in some remote areas.

The number of internet users across the Arab world reached 34 million by the end of 2007. The number of new subscribers is growing at a healthy rate. Derbas said that would enable Smartlink to achieve its targeted revenue of $10 million by the end of 2009.

Smartlink is a Jordanian company that operates as a data transfer and VSAT communication provider. Its $5 million capital is held by investors from Jordan, UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.