In a quest to offer more flexibility to Twitter users, du today launched the first-of-its-kind Twitter SMS service in the UAE, which will provide mobile customers with the opportunity to Tweet on-the-go via SMS. With this new service, du mobile customers can follow their friends and receive direct messages from followers using SMS at any time, within the UAE and abroad. Moreover, Twitter users will receive notifications totally free of charge and will only be charged for outgoing SMS at regular rates.

“Twitter is becoming a vital platform for individuals as well as companies to communicate with friends, families and customers, and thus we are introducing this new service to enhance customers’ experiences by adding mobility to this growing social network. Customers now can follow their friends and send and receive messages conveniently at any time, while on-the-go” said Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du.

Customers can start using the service by simply sending “start” via text message to short code 8080 to get started. Customers have the option to receive notifications and updates from specific followers by texting “on”, and can follow new friends by sending “follow” to the same short code. For more information and details on how to use the new service, customers can visit http://help.twitter.com/entries/14020-the-official-twitter-textcommands, or refer to the full list of commands listed below.

“We are always keen to provide our customers with the best possible services which meet their expectations and facilitate their day-to-day life. Today, mobile phones are more than a device for calling or sending SMS, and are major providers of a world of services designed to cater to people’s growing demands, therefore we are continuously committed to offering such services to our valued customers in the UAE”, added Faraidooni

Subscribing to the Twitter SMS service and receiving Tweets is free of charge, and customers will only pay when sending SMS at standard rates. When users choose to follow external links, mobile data charges will apply.

Command list and data bundle prices

• On-Turn ALL authorized Twitter updates and notifications on.
• OFF-Turns off all updates except direct messages. Send STOP again to turn off direct messages too
• STOP, QUIT, End, Cancel, Arret or Unsubscribe-Turns ALL phone notifications off.
• ON-Turns on notifications for a specific person on mobile phone
• OFF-Turns off notifications for a specific person on mobile phone
• FOLLOW-This command allows customers to start following a specific user, as well as receive SMS notifications
• LEAVE-This command allows customers to stop receiving SMS notifications for a specific user
• @username + message-shows the Tweet as a reply directed at another person, and causes customer’s Twitter to save in their “replies” tab
• D + message-Direct Message: sends a person a private message that goes to their device, and saves in their web archive
• FAV-Favourite a Tweet: marks a person’s last Twitter as a favorite and causes the message to show up in customers “Favorites” tab.
• RT-Retweet: sends another user’s latest Tweet to customer’s followers
• WHOIS-Retrieves the profile information for any public user on Twitter
• GET-Retrieves the latest Twitter update posted by the person
• FAV-Marks that user’s last Tweet as one of your favorites
• STATS-This command returns customer’s number of followers, how many people he/she is following, and his/her bio information.

About du

du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, launched mobile telecommunication services in February 2007 across the UAE, in addition to internet and pay TV services that du provides in some of the free zones of Dubai. Call Select, du’s nationwide fixed line services for voice telephony, was launched in July 2007. By the end of 2008, over 3 million people in the UAE chose to become du customers.

Among du’s many firsts is its historic Number Booking Campaign for both individuals and business, Pay by the Second billing system, Mobile TV, Mobile Payments, first of its kind ‘WoW’ recharge card (which offers customers the choice between more credit, more time and now ‘more international’ recharge option with additional credit on international calls) and Self Care.

For business customers, du business offers include Closed Business User Group and preferred International Destinations. du Broadcast Services division brings scalable media technology platforms and telecommunication solutions to the broadcast community through its world class teleport (Samacom) and Master Control Room (MCR) facilities.

du products and services for consumers and business are available through du’s retail network, currently numbering 33 du shops located in strategic locations across the UAE, more than 3000 authorized dealers Or through du e-shop, accessible at http://www.du.ae/en/where-to-buy/eshop.html. du shops are a one stop shop for mobile service, carrier select and the payment of the service bills.

du is 39.5 percent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 19.75 percent by Mubadala Development Company, 19.5 percent by Emirates Communications & Technology Company LLC and the remaining stake by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades under the name du.

Awards to date

• du presented with an award for Best Middle Eastern Local Currency Deal 2008 by UK’s EuroWeek
• du won two prestigious awards at UAE Web Awards 2008. du e-shop portal won the best strategic online portal award in the e-commerce category and du media club website won the bronze award in the media and press category.
• du corporate brand launch campaign awarded a Cristal MENA award in 2008
• du declared ‘Best Brand’ at Telecoms World Awards Middle East 2007 for innovative branding and outstanding brand success
• Second place in the New Brand Launch category at the GMR Effectiveness in Marketing Awards 2007
• Silver Award for the best website in the ICT category at the UAE Web Awards 2007
• du WoW TV Commercial awarded amongst the best 50 TV commercials in mobile telecom category in the world for 2007

For further information, please contact:

Saugat Chatterjee
Public Relations Manager, Channels Communications
Brand & Communications
du
Mobile: +971 55 9367045
Email: saugat.chatterjee@du.ae

Mayssam Hamadeh
Manning, Selvage & Lee
Tel: +971 4 3676 324
Mobile: +971 55 495 6484
Fax: +971 4 367 2615
Email: mayssam.hamadeh@dubai.mslpr.com