Posted by mahora
Again Deltek is just a franchiser. They cannot operate on their own, even as far advertising is concered. You need to understand each manufacturer's approach in order to understand their marketing strategy. To LG, the Egyptian market represents a small fraction of their sales. LG has a tendency toward penetrating through the Asian and Chinese markets. In this arena, LG has to stand up against another ghoul, i.e., Samsung. That's why LG does not tend to waste its efforts in vain through pointless marketing campaigns in such trivial markets (to them) as the Egyptian.
Posted by mustafabay
One thing I'd like to see from operators is lowering the price of GPRS, SMS and MMS. All they worry about is the price of the minute. If they would decrease the prices of SMS in particular it would be really nice. I think that with all the worrying about the price per minute everyone forgot how to text. I for one would benefit a lot, I consider myself a keypad worrior
Why is is that companies don't try to destinct themselves, they're going to need it when they get more competition. When we get a new network everyone will be tired of both mobinil and vodafone and will think a lot about switching. One thing for sure, whatever company that enters the Egyptian market, they'd better use a new colour blue would be nice. And whoever thought of giving up the green part of mobinil? And what company does Al-Walid bin Talaal own?
Posted by mahora
Both companies of Egypt are mimic freaks, once one of them brings out some new service, the other would copycat cat either the whole service or the idea and put it in another form. I guess they just can't afford to stand out
Al Walid hasn't entered the telecom market, at least not that I know of just yet, however he tries to get the 2nd licesnse in Saudi Arabia, but Etisalat snatched it from him. Probably he wasn't that serious about entering the Saudi mobile market, because his offer came 5th, may be he was just testing
He doesn't have a specific company name yet because when such tycoons intend to compete for licenses they simply form consortia of investors, nad just give the consortium a name. That's one of the luxuries that rich people have
Posted by mustafabay
Egypt could also do with one or two MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). Virgin a MVNO was chosen the best operator in the UK last year. And you can start a company quite cheap, afterall you don't have to setup your own network. You want to quit your job and start a MVNO? I bet anyone with a little more brains than a monkey could come up with more atractive offers than these to gorrillas
Of course we also need to get rid of Gihaz Tanzim Al-Etisalaat, which stops them from competing by having to agree on everything they do.
Posted by mahora
Tell me a little more about how Mobile Virtual Network Operators work till I do my own research. The idea of starting one looks appealing
Posted by mustafabay
Well umm, their virtual you see
Now is that clear enough? Ok, its basically you setup servers phone switches and so on, have your own name 
but don't own a network, instead you rent some of a current network's bandwidth. I think it still would cost millions, but not billions in the case of setting up a new network. I think ET was thinking of doing that till it installed a 1800MHz network, that's till two companies bought the right to use that band from them and they kindly decided to stop thinking of bothering onymore mobile companies 
Posted by mahora
I guess you mean TE rather than ET? ET stands for Extra Terrestrial (as in the 1982 Spielberg movie). But well after second thoughts, ET applies more to the case of our dear El Masreya lel Etisalat
Posted by mahora
And don't be so upset about the bandwidth since if a 3rd operator comes to Egypt, TE is definitely gonna be involved, at least by no less than of something like 40 till 49 % of the stake. It even is a matter of when not if now with the declarations being posted in the newspapers almost on daily basis.
_________________
What I really hope for is for TE to stay out of the management, in order not to paralyze the network's chances of success with sheer bureaucracy.
[ This Message was edited by: mahora on 2005-05-04 18:02 ]
Posted by americany13
Hey Mustafa does the video call on your Z1010 work in egypt? if so How do you like it? You're on Vodophonne??
Posted by mustafabay
@americany
When you post 6 more posts elsewhere in this forum you'll get to choose which phone to have as an avatar. I just got tired of being a T630 which I still own and hope to replace with a Z600. No 3G and no EDGE and no videocalls. And even if we did and I'd be a pioneer by having a z1010, I'd probably only be able to call myself using videocall
@mahora
What bandwidth was I complaining about? I was talking about MVNOs renting part of a network's bandwidth. And if you meen GPRS, I'm not complaining about speed I'm justed pissed off with how muched I'm charged for it. India has almost free GPRS, they give you unlimited acsess for a flat rate. Maybe our companies should do that for wap at least. Because knowing Egyptians, they'd start using GPRS to surf the net, not wap, and do it for ever. Although an idea we could learn from South Africa is charging people on dialup a certain maximum per session, which is good if you have a lot of updates or downloads.
Posted by mahora
Another thing pisses me off. The speed. GPRS isn't just satisfactory anymore. DSL speed is more and more growing on people. EDGE should come fast. But probabaly it won't.
Posted by mustafabay
I don't think people use GPRS that much so I wouldn't see any sense in EDGE. And 3G is coming, soon, like 2010
How long have we had mobiles in Egypt? I'm asking because like a year back I read about voda recalculating the Ihlak, don't know the English word, of the network from 8 to 15 years. I think we've had mobiles for 8 years now so voda would fase out its network in 7 years and that would meen they need to start 3G relitavely soon. I hope they're just smart enough to install HSPDA too.
Posted by mahora
That's exactly why I said that EDGE won't come that fast, and one more thing: companies would just like to squeeze out more money out of GPRS investments. So EDGE seems a little far fetched, at least for 3 years to come.
But 3G -should a final decision be made on it- will be coming sooner than you think. Probably by no later than the end of 2006.
And I don't think any company would phase out its network, they're just gonna make the transition by using 3G-compatible BTSs and network components, thus making use of the current- and yet to grow more- existing infrastructure. Europe has been doing that for quite sometime now, with the rush toward 3G and all.
Posted by mustafabay
What I meen by fasing out is, after having your 3G network for 5 years chances are that you wouldn't want to have to keep your older network in sevice. That's unless you're saying the BTSs will work for both 2.5 and 3G.
Posted by mahora
Yes tha's what I was refering to, BTSs that can operate both 2.5 & 3G. They have been in use for quite sometime now, and Nortel has introduced them to the middle eat already. One more thing such BTSs can serve is roaming between 2 & 3 G networks.
Posted by mustafabay
Wow, we're past 100 posts already. Anymore egyptians out there?
Posted by mustafabay
And now the 6230i is here. Same price as MyX-8 at LE2500. I think its cheaper than the price of 6230 when it came out, but that might just be because of the exchange rate. Now waiting for K750, If its within LE2750 it'll blow 6230i's pants off. Espetially that it seems everyone is buying smartphones now. And I also saw the i-mate Jam, wow its small, hope we get an SE that size.
Posted by mustafabay
Now I have a question. Where do you get SE accessories? I want a case for T630 and K700.
Posted by mahora
Same delimma I faced when I bought my k7. Delta doesn't have any cases. Nor does Fono or RadioShak. Finally I settled for a T39 case that hardly fits the k7, but it's still better than nothing if you want to keep the set claen as much as possible.
Posted by mustafabay
Where did you get a t39 case? Or is it just a leather case?
Posted by mahora
I looked in different places, but since all concentrate on Nokia acc. it wasn't until I decided in desperation to head for Abdel Aziz St. and after a little search, wala...
Posted by mahora
And here is another piece of interesting information that will make your head turn... Siemens is about to go Korean... Pantech is negotiating for Siemens mobile...
Posted by mustafabay
Wala?
And yeah I've seen the news. Maybe something like what happened to MG Rover will happen to Siemens mobile
I guess pantech could make good use of Siemens, add better screens and such and make Siemens a better brand. I won't be rushing out to buy any Siemens soon so I'm not worrying.
Met a friend a couple days ago using an unlocked Z600 on mobinil, and I'll tell you they don't call it vodacrap for nothing. The menus stink, just picture holding a phone that you should know everything about and just stare at it and can't figure anything out. First, I don't look at the name of my selection, I just know them by look and I couldn't tell the Icons apart. That was also made worse by him using an almost white Winxp theme so I couldn't really see the icons, sorted that out by sending him nice FC barcelona theme to prove our themes worked the same
. Second and last, there is no More on the right softkey, instead its Live! and how was I supposed to know to press C for that?
I'm thinking of actually buying a Z600, but can I deal with the change? The screen is bigger but it seems colours on the T630 are more saturated. Z600 actually feels lighter in your hand despite being 18g heavier, but can I live without my white backlight? T630 can light up my room at night but the z600 is blue and pretty dark, I couldn't see the letters very well. I definaitely need to find out what the latest firmware is for my T630 because the ringer in always on increasing even when I have increasing ring off, that isn't a problem with Z600.
Posted by mahora
Voila is more like it
Got it. The T630 uses a TFT screen, while the Z600 uses a TFD screen which appears darker, less vivid, and less in color saturation. Besides it's a clamshell, do you really want to go for a clamshell?
And why wouldn't you buy Siemens, it's even on sale
[ This Message was edited by: mahora on 2005-05-10 07:45 ]
Posted by mustafabay
What's wrong with a clamshell? Its not like I'm thinking of buying one of those lady's Samsungs. And I don't have to worry about scratching the screen, z600 looks nice although a little fat when closed, which make me and the z600 similar in some ways
Z600 has a flashing LED too. And When I'm using it, it would be a lot more noticable than my T630 which basicaly hides in my hand. BTW, why don't you tell me why I should buy a Siemens. If you can give 10 reasons, most of them good I would give it a thought. Actually T630 looks more saturated but z600 could arguably be brighter. Clubsonyericsson.com had a few pictures comparing T610, T630 and z600 and the Z600 did look somewhat brighter. To tell the truth I'm more worried about the Keypad lighting.
Posted by mahora
I told you Siemens was on sale, that's probably the only reason
Posted by mustafabay
Two days ago Raya had an ad in Alahram saying to watchout for something new from them. I thought 6681? But yesterday I saw 6680 and I was like Why? GSMarena said 6681 was going to sell for 500euros so I would put 6680 at 550euros. Would you pay LE4000 for a phone withfeatures you can't use? We don't even have EDGE. Anyways, Raya nicely comes out with insurance for your phone. But they only say its only 20 to 50 LE, but is that only a one time payment? And no add for the 6680?? I didn't ask the price of the 6680, I'm not going to buy it, despite it being the best nokia in terms of design since ever. The thing that would make it perfect is SE software and getting rid of that lighting sensor that controls the screen's brightness.
And Raya is opening a new branch in Manial, yay. First company to think of Manial of a place worthy of being in.
Aptec are back, saying they are a service center for SE, notticed they had given up something good in Egypt. They used to be SE's dealers if I'm not wrong.
Any idea when the PSP is coming to Egypt?
[ This Message was edited by: mustafabay on 2005-05-11 16:22 ]
Posted by mustafabay
Today LG gets remebered. 5 models in your first add in months is stupid people don' know the specs, although the theme of the ad seemed to suggest it being towards the fairer sex and hopeng they go ooo nice phone I want one
Posted by mahora
PSP- Why? are you so much into games?
_________________
[ This Message was edited by: mahora on 2005-05-12 19:38 ]
Posted by mustafabay
Well when your stuck a lot in comuting espesially by metro games are nice. And instead of going for these tiny crippled games on a phone, which are hard to play when you have big hands and a small keypad
why not go for the real thing? And if you show it off enough more people will buy it and then you can play against other people. All that an add that the PSP is the best mobile gaming device yet, its a Sony and the games being made for it look totaly awesome. Do I need to explain more? And also a PSP should keep me from thinking to much about upgrading my phone, I'd eventually just settle for something like P800 with a touchscreen andnot think about changing it again. Of coure I could just as well do with a cheap colour PDA but then they seem non existant in Egypt so my best bet seems to be the P800. More explaining offered on request
Posted by mustafabay
Now I have a question about mobinil. Do they test phones before they sell them or do they just rely on Orange to or do they just sell anything in their stores? I remeber reading about Voda refusing to retail the moto C115 and now mobinil is selling it. Just wondering.
Posted by mahora
You seem to have made up your mind about my work identity
I wonder why you got that impression
I might be a voda under cover or even worse TE (or ET as you humorously put it once)
[ This Message was edited by: mahora on 2005-05-14 22:38 ]
Posted by mustafabay
Well you don't have to work for mobinil to know if they do their own testing of phones.
Posted by mustafabay
SE, where's the K300? And the K750 better not take long to get here.
Posted by mahora
According to some sites, the k750 is sluggishly making its way to stores now. The price is between 625-675 US $. The k3 is slowly doing the same with a price ranging from 175- 225 $.
For price in Egypt, I'd take the maximum, i.e., 675, and 225 $ respectively.
As for the time of arrival, I hope it's not the same as the k7, which appeared in markets worldwide in July (precisely late june) 2004, but showed up in Egypt only in November. Let's hope the k750 & 300 case is different this time.
[ This Message was edited by: mahora on 2005-05-17 23:15 ]
Posted by mustafabay
Nice time of day to reply :-) There's always Dubai, just hope K750 has a better joystick than K700.
Posted by mustafabay
Now the K300 can't be 225$ and for a simple reason. What's the K500 price LE1600 or a little less? 225$ is like LE1700, and the K300 can't go for more than LE 1000 although it should go for less because eventually the K500's price is going to drop and they'd have to lower its price.
Posted by mustafabay
We're actually going to get Star Wars Revenge of the Sith before most of the world. This has to be a first. As I understood we get it tonight although only midnight shows, which means we actually get it on the 19th of may but then I think everyone else is going to get it on the 20th. I just hope this might help us also get the K750 even if in limited numbers, afterall I heard that there is going to be a star wars edition of the K750 in some places in the world
And we're going to have to wait till 2007 for the third network
Posted by mustafabay
I wonder if you ment $125 for the K300?
Anyways Deltek just proved that we don't know anything about the market and marketing and announced the F500 for LE999. Now I really wonder if the K500 is going to be the same price. This also marks a first for Deltek to actually put a
phone cheaper than its Siemens rival. Another first is to have TWO ads in Al-Ahram on the same day, I've never seen it happen before. This price of the F500 could be a good sign of things to come as this price leaves some space for the K700 to go down even more in price and might even meen they already have yhe K750 and are planning to release it soon. Of cours I'm being super optimistic
Posted by OluYom
Hey guys, a thousand apologies for breaking into your duologue
I am looking fo info on GPRS networks in Africa. Can you kindly post the names of GPRS-enabled networks in Egypt.
Thanks a million, and regards from Nigeria.
Posted by mustafabay
Easy. Two networks, both have Gprs and both charge exact same rates. Btw they are vodafone and mobinil.
Posted by OluYom
| Quote: |
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Thanks for the info, pal.
The Egyptian situation sure is strange: you guys don't seem to have much choices
Posted by mahora
In defiance of all logic, Deltech takes its move. First, the F500. It’s basically the same as the k500, in other words they’re killing their own products. I guess they’re only betting on customers’ ignorance and on the assumption that a customer is only looking for the cheapest. Second they must be real tired of the k500 not selling so they decided to simply kill its sales. Third, the F500 is originally intended for Vodafone network, how are they introducing it as an unlocked phone? The only thing that could have gotten them to sell it in Egypt is that they must have won the bid when Vodafone Europe decided to get rid of its stock of the F500, since it’s getting old in Europe by now. The F500 stock must have been on a really good sale
. I hope I’m missing something because I can’t see any sense in that move.
As for the K300, I judge by the F500 move that it must be priced at less than 1000 l.e. due to the difference of specs, which is still something very good. As for the k7, I guess it's final price will be 1500-1700 L.E., but its next fall in price will only happen in August, that's of course unless Deltech marketing geniuses surprise us with another unpredicted move of theirs
[ This Message was edited by: mahora on 2005-05-22 14:58 ]
Posted by mustafabay
And to add to the wierdness, the picture actually shows a k506.
This message was posted from a T630
[ This Message was edited by: mustafabay on 2005-05-23 13:50 ]
Posted by mahora
Yesterday I made a call to Delta Mohandseen and tried to get some info out of them. I tries to ask specifically about whether there was any difference between the f500 & the k500, the guy that replied told me that they both had the same specs. And when I asked about the difference in prices, he told me that it was an offer on the phone
.
I also asked about whether the phone was locked on voda network, he confirmed that it works on both Egyptian networks.
So the theory must be right. Deltech won the stock from voda Europe that must have been on a really good sale
Posted by mustafabay
Yes, but the F500 is white with blue. The pictures in the ads show a phone that is a bluish silver with blue, which is exactly how the K506 looks. Hey, if they don't know the difference why should they worry about customer actually knowing.
And check out the all new VODAFONE metro. I haven't seen the Tang metros for a while but I wonder how many are going to be vodafone red.
Posted by mahora
I tried to look for data on K506 on google, and almost all the sites turned out to be chinese! So they got the chinese stock right from the factory
Do you know the differences between the normal k500 and the K506? Are any options deleted?
Posted by mustafabay
Its on www.sonyericsson.com
In the global portfolio you'll see a K506i and c.
And where's that K550 SE? gsmarena.com already has a review of the CX75, so not much longer till it hits the market.
Posted by mahora
There's only the K506c, so the Deltech shippment must be chinese. Only the K508 has an i&c versions.
Posted by mustafabay
This actually makes it even more wierd. This means the phone is very unique, the only actual K506i in the world. K506 and 508 share the soft key and joystick design, but differ in numberpad. And it isn't really the F500 because that is white and blue. Wow we actually have the bragging rights of having a totally uniqe phone
