Deal of the Year: Google, Etisalat, Etihad

Etihad Etisalat, Mobily and Google jointly announced the launch of their strategic partnership, described as the first of its kind in the Middle East. This follows an agreement inked by them allowing the merger of Google brand with Mobily Connect products, as well as the launch of a value added Connect Google package, which allows unlimited use of Google sites, YouTube, Google Plus, Maps, Blogs and all other services. Khalid Omar Al Kaf, Managing Director and CEO of Mobily, Mohammed Jawdat, Managing Director SEEMEA, and Abdul Rahman Tarabzouni, Country Manager, Emerging Arabian Google, were among those present at the deal signing event. Al Kaf said, “Mobily and Google share a number of values that lead them toward the leadership and passion for innovation in a fierce race to get the new technologies." Mobily said clients could subscribe to the Connect Google package through SMS or online, or through the company’s website and activate the package. Mobily also stated that the Connect Google package can be added to either one of 1 GB or 5 GB of Connect Mobile packages, or can be added to either 2 GB or 5 GB of Connect USB packages, thus allowing the subscribers to benefit from Google services and watch unlimited YouTube programs.