(For PC World Pakistan)
Go Green Pakistan Wins the GIST Contest
Go Green Pakistan has received a cash prize of US $5,000 for being the 2nd runner up at the Global Innovation through Science & Technology (GIST) contest, held at Istanbul, Turkey. The local company qualified for the semi-finals of the contest last month. GIST’s aim was to select 25 entrepreneurs for their Technology Idea (Tech-I) catering to the information communications technology, energy, healthcare and agriculture sectors. The company with the best idea in the entrepreneurship workshop was awarded US $60,000. Farhan Masood’s project Bloodline won the semi-final round and reached the list of top 11 before becoming the second runner up at the GIST contest. ‘Bloodline’ also qualified for the P@SHA funds recently in the first round. The project was designed when dengue hit Lahore and various other cities in Punjab. The project connects needy patients and blood donors via different communication means ranging from SMSs to social-networking websites.
Polar Wireless to introduce first worldwide SIM card in Pakistan
A Canadian Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Company’s Polar Wireless will soon be providing the first worldwide SIM card in Pakistan. The announcement was made by Steve Roberts, President of the MVNO Company, during a meeting at Pakistan’s Board of Investment (BoI) along side Chairman BoI, Saleem H Mandviwalla. Steve Roberts talked of how the Polar Wireless SIM card combines with the subscribers’ ‘home’ SIM card to provide wholesale prepaid rates. It is the first technology in the country that allows a user to take advantage of discounted roaming rates abroad while still keeping their current home and mobile phone numbers. The Polar Wireless SIM gets activated when subscribers leave their home wireless network. Then, it enables them to have the same call flow and convenience when their call is routed to the same destination. All calls are carrier grade voice quality and only premium telecom routes are used. With the introduction of these international SIM cards in Pakistan, it is hoped that the technology will be benefit many users travelling abroad.
Pring Crosses 3 Million Users, 12 Million SMS a Day
Pring, a Pakistan based social network company, now has more than 3 million users and is sending an average of 12 million SMSs everyday. Pring is a social network that, using Internet and Mobile phones, connects users with friends. It lets you share what you’re up to with your friends via your cell phone or online in no more than 140 characters. According to its founder, Muhammad Nasrullah, Pring is growing its users’ base in Pakistan by 8000-15000 everyday. The company is aiming to become the largest social networking platform by providing various facilities including Urdu & multilingual support, commenting & threading and other advanced mobile features. Muhammad Nasrullah is also planning on generating revenue for the company by offering Data Analytics, Sentiment Analysis, Mobile Coupons, PoS Tools, etc. The social network has also partnered with some well-known international brands such as Djuice, Nokia, Levi’s, Pakistan Today, Sunsilk and Subway.
IBM Equips Young Pakistanis with Computers
International Business Machines, IBM, has donated 26 Young Explorer computers, housed in brightly colored child-friendly Little Tikes™ furniture, to four non-profit organizations under the aegis of its ‘Kid Smart Early Learning Program’. The NGOs are Development in Literacy (DIL), Mountain and Glacier Protection Organization (MGPO), Kaghan Memorial Trust (KMT), and PAF’s Special School of Education. The ‘Kid Smart Early Learning Program’ is an IBM initiative whereby it hopes to make Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) easily and widely available to Pakistani children. The project combines new teaching and learning activities via latest technology in the pre-kindergarten curricula. The Young Explorer units are specially designed for children aged between three to five years. IBM’s Kid Smart program’s educational software is intended to help children learn and explore the various concepts of math, science and language. Since its launch in 2006, the program has donated more than 80 Young Explorer units to NGOs across Pakistan.
Qubee offers 50% off on Line Rent for 3 Months
Upon receipt of an excellent response to its promotional offers introduced in September 2011, Qubee once more offered 50% off on line rent from January to March 2012 for all sign-ups during December 2011. This limited time offer is only valid for residential post paid customers and is only applicable on the monthly line rent and does not have any implications on upfront or volume bucket costs. Chief Marketing Officer Qubee, Hashim Sheikh said, “We are pleased that Qubee has been successful in meeting demand and expectations of consumers. Qubee provides what subscribers want that is, the best value for money in the form of fast and reliable broadband internet with 24/7 customer support.”
