Marc Veelenturf of Nokia Siemens Networks says with the new app gives people can see their telephone bill on Facebook. Satish Kumar / The National
Marc Veelenturf of Nokia Siemens Networks says with the new app gives people can see their telephone bill on Facebook. Satish Kumar / The National

Mobile bill a puzzle? There's an app for that



Companies are increasingly using social media to communicate with their customers. Nokia Siemens Networks is one of the latest to get in on the game by developing a Facebook application for users of the social networking site to monitor their mobile bills via the site. Marc Veelenturf, the head of business solutions organisation for the Middle East and Africa at Nokia Siemens Networks, talks about the application.

Why did you develop this app?

Most [telecommunications] operators are looking to differentiate themselves, and one of the best [ways to set themselves apart] is by providing a better customer experience. We did a questionnaire … and saw that around 50 per cent of people are leaving or moving to a competitor because they [cannot see] how much they're paying for an SMS or how much they get charged for overseas roaming. What this gives is almost a complete transparency between the telco offering it and the end-user.

But the vast majority of people use Facebook to keep in touch with friends, so people will not necessarily want to be bombarded with offers.

People will be looking for how much they have spent on their telephone bill. Instead of going to the traditional portal websites, this is an opportunity to see your telephone bill in Facebook.

Telecoms operators have to sign up to the app first, so have you managed to get Etisalat or du on board?

Nobody has signed up yet. We're just testing it, but we hope in the next few months to get a few customers on board. We are talking to all our existing clients in the Middle East. I'm a strong believer that there will be an uptake. If you look at customer experience, it is one of the major objectives of every telco … their major focus is to enhance customer experience.

Would a user see adverts from other telecoms operators?

No. It is not a marketing tool. This is a tool to find out what your bill is or what the offers are.

People have a lot of personal information on their Facebook accounts. Is this app going to be used as a way for companies to find out more about their customers?

Definitely not, because it doesn't give the telco any access to people's Facebook. Privacy and knowledge is very important. However, the telco has a lot of information about your billing: when you travel, who you are phoning and which phone you have. What we are trying to do [in using] a tool like this is provide a better understanding of the customer and a better interaction between the telco and the customer.

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How to avoid crypto fraud
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Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

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Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Price: From Dh215,900

On sale: Now

The bio

Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions

School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira

Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk

Dream City: San Francisco

Hometown: Dubai

City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala

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Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

Paltan

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Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
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Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Director: Rolan Emmerich

Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry

Rating: 3/5

German intelligence warnings
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  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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