30-day free trial will allow users to test the service

Dubai, July 17, 2006: Etisalat today announced the launch of a remote access solution 'DirectAccess Virtual Portable Network' (daVPN) to allow businesses and individuals to reach their PCs and servers from anywhere in the world. Users can now access their documents, files and applications, from wherever they are in the world with any type and speed of Internet access. It runs virtually all IP applications and includes various collaboration features. Members of the network will be able to work together and share documents from remote locations across the globe as of they were all sitting in the same room with physical wires connecting their devices.  

The service which creates a secure network of laptops, PCs and servers spread across the globe can span across network boundaries and firewalls, seamlessly. The new product, launched in partnership with IP Dynamics, is secured end-to-end with IPSec technology, the most advanced IP security standards available for secure communication over the Internet today.

Abdulla Hashim, Assistant General Manager, eCompany, Etisalat  said: "The innovative technology which uses domain name routing instead of the traditional IP address routing, offer an economic alternative to traditional VPNs.

"The daVPN service will help raise efficiency of doing business in the UAE. People can now make virtually anywhere their office by accessing and updating

their files, documents and database within or even outside the UAE. They can also work from home for that matter. Businesses can now cut down on travel bills and hotel expenses too and interact with their foreign clients as if they are sitting in the same office. In fact, its a good way to beat traffic jams too within our cities", Hashim added.

The service does not require IT expertise to use it nor is the user required to purchase any extra device or equipment. All the user needs to do is download the software from the Etisalat website and choose the PCs, laptops, servers and even printers for the network. Each customer can add any number of users to each individual network without any limit. It takes just a few minutes to create the network.

Additionally, the administrator can decide which user will have access right to which computers and which particular files or applications on that computer.  Once users join a DirectAccess VPN they can run any IP application and can access business applications and databases such as accounting , sales, customer service, CRM and ERP among many others.

Starting at AED 29 per seat per month, users can pay as less AED 11 per seat per month as they subscribe to more seats. As part of the introductory offer, users can take the 30-day free trial before they subscribe to the service.

While traditional VPNs provide mainly site to site connectivity, daVPN provides direct access from one laptop or PC to any other laptop PC server or printer in the world, wherever these might be located.

Real estate agencies, advertising agencies, air travel agencies, hotels, tourism businesses, construction companies and self employed professionals such as doctors, lawyers, architects and consultants, among others, are expected to benefit immensely from this new service. 

-Ends-

Press release issued by Corporate Communications Department - Etisalat

For further media information, please contact:
Ahmed Bin Ali, Corporate Communications Manager
Tel: 02 6182173
Fax: 02 6334448
prd@etisalat.ae

© Press Release 2006