du announces support and co-operation with Near Field Communication (NFC) Academy

Recognizing the potential of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology as a tool in offering innovative mobile applications, du, the UAE’s integrated telecom service provider, today announced support and co-operation with the NFC Academy, a high-end technology congress that promotes Near Field Communication technology and applications.

Near Field Communication is a promising technology that allows a wealth of applications to be used on mobile phones. For example, mobile phones could operate as smart cards allowing customers to make mobile payments, conduct banking transactions and use their phones as security access cards. It also allows phones to operate as digital signature tools allowing users to electronically sign and perform complex and sophisticated services like e-government or financial services.

The NFC Academy went live in February 2009 with a series of events featuring both a conference and a technology village. The launch was inaugurated by Darwish Al Zaraouni, Director General of the Emirates Identity Authority in Abu Dhabi. After Abu Dhabi the NFC Academy will go to Paris on 29 May, to Milan between 4-5 November and returns to Abu Dhabi in early 2010.

Osman Sultan, CEO, du, said: “The future lies in innovation and NFC is an emerging new technology in the region whose potential impact is huge. As a national company with a focus on innovation, we are interested in working with the NFC Academy, the government and financial institutions to explore opportunities to introduce NFC based solutions in the UAE to simplify the lives of our customers.”

H. E. Darwish Al Zaraouni said: “NFC technology offers a vast potential in facilitating contactless e-government services to mobile customers and we are keen to work with du through the NFC Academy.”

March 10,2009