BlackBerry service disrupted in UAE, Europe, Africa



DUBAI // Thousands of BlackBerry users were unable to send and receive messages on Monday after a collapse in services across the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

Widespread disruption to data services, including mobile internet and the popular BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), affected many subscribers.

Some turned to the social networking site Twitter to vent their frustrations.

“I can’t survive without BBM,” one Abu Dhabi resident wrote on the social networking site.

“We’ve had some network issues that we’re trying to resolve,” said Patrick Spence, the managing director for global sales and regional marketing at Research in Motion (RIM), which makes BlackBerry smartphones.

Mr Spence said the disruption had been caused by unspecified technical problems, and was not able to say when full service would be resumed.

Telecoms operators across the region sent out messages alerting customers to the problem.

“We received updates from RIM confirming BB services in Europe, ME & Africa are affected starting 09.19 GMT today & degradation is ongoing,” du said via Twitter.

The operator said at around 1pm that around half of BlackBerry users were affected by the problem, but that the “level of impact is gradually improving”.

“Subscribers may experience delays in sending or receiving messages, roaming, or using other services such as internet browsing,” du said later in the day.

Other regional operators including Etisalat, Vodafone Egypt and Batelco in Bahrain also informed customers about disruption to services.

Jim Balsillie, the co-chief executive of RIM, was in Dubai yesterday to give an address to the Gitex Technology Week.

He said that there had been a 140 per cent increase in BlackBerry subscribers in the Middle East in the year to August.

The news comes despite a significant decline in its market share elsewhere in the world.

bflanagan@thenational.ae

Which honey takes your fancy?

Al Ghaf Honey

The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year

Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments

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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
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
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
How to protect yourself when air quality drops

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.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
 
  • Grade 9 = above an A*
  • Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
  • Grade 7 = grade A
  • Grade 6 = just above a grade B
  • Grade 5 = between grades B and C
  • Grade 4 = grade C
  • Grade 3 = between grades D and E
  • Grade 2 = between grades E and F
  • Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

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Company%20profile
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Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat