Consumers in the UAE can expect more and cheaper electronic 4G devices after the telecoms regulator opened up high-speed frequencies.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has earmarked the 700MHz and 800MHz frequencies for the high-speed mobile broadband.
The two bandwidths, vital for the use of long-term evolution (LTE), also known as fourth generation (4G) technology, will enable faster speeds and makes the UAE more compatible with a wider range of devices such as the iPhone 5, Samsung's S4 and Nokia's Lumia 925.
"When you have a country like the UAE using spectrum that is standard and harmonised across the world it means first and foremost that the country will benefit from economies of scale," said Peter Lyons, the director of public policy of Middle East and Africa at GSMA.
"The UAE will be flooded with the latest devices at a cheaper cost, which means consumers will have more choice at less cost. It makes the UAE a better technology and business hub because people travelling from anywhere in the world will be using spectrum that will be available here."
International roaming is an important aspect of opening up the spectrums, affording travellers instant connectivity no matter which device they are using. There are three IT regions as classified by the UN's International Telecommunication Union. The Middle East, Africa and Europe are categorised as ITU Region 1, the Americas constitute Region 2 and Asia Pacific makes up Region 3. Each region uses different spectrums that may not always be compatible with the devices that manufacturers produce.
Different manufacturers use a wide range of frequencies for these new LTE devices from 700MHz to 2.5GHz.
Problems with frequency incompatibility emerged after the release of Apple's new iPad this year, which operated on the 700 megahertz band, which was not then available in the UAE.
The UAE is the first country in the ITU Region 1 to use both bands for mobile broadband.
"This is a breakthrough. Being the first country means you're blazing the trail. We expect a lot of countries will fall behind this proposal," said Mr Lyons. "The regions are converging. The 700MHz bandwidth will be used from Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Latin America, it creates harmonisation across the world. Europe uses 800Mhz, this covers 2 billion users so creating devices for 2 billion people will cost less."
Cheaper devices will also allow more people on to the LTE networks, which are three to six times faster than the current 3G networks.
The faster connectivity improves efficiency and makes HD video streaming and video conference calling a possibility.
thamid@thenational.ae
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
Favourite things
Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
Where to apply
Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020.
Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.
The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020.
MATCH INFO
What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru
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Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
