Smartphones priced at less than US$100 are set to boost internet use in countries such as Egypt and Morocco.
The US chip maker Qualcomm expects the retail price of basic smartphones to fall, stimulating demand for web-enabled handsets in the low-income markets of North Africa.
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Internet use in the region is low compared with other markets, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). In Egypt, only 26.7 per cent of its residents use the internet, compared with 78 per cent in the UAE.
The availability of cheaper handsets would boost demand for web-enabled smartphones in such countries, said Qualcomm, based in California.
"I expect to see smartphone handsets at $100 [Dh367] or below in the next 12 months in this region," said Jay Srage, the president of Qualcomm Middle East and Africa. "Smartphone penetration is three times as high in the UAE or Saudi compared to Egypt and Morocco. Our objective is to bring the price down in those emerging markets."
Paul Jacobs, the chairman and chief executive of Qualcomm, said the mobile internet could help to "bridge the digital divide" in emerging markets.
"The only internet access most people have in many of these markets is through their mobile phones," Mr Jacobs said.
He said the company was focusing on producing lower-cost chips for use in smartphones, which typically offer web browsing, e-mail and access to social networks.
"We're investing a lot of money into driving the cost of the devices down," Mr Jacobs said. "We see affordable smartphones really growing … in these emerging markets. We're seeing phones in the $150 range, and a strong effort to try to drive that price point down even further."
In the UAE, Apple's latest iPhone model costs Dh2,449 on a pre-paid plan with Etisalat. However, smartphones by manufacturers such as Samsung, LG and Motorola are available for less than Dh400.
Among semiconductor firms that rely on outside foundry companies to manufacture their chips, Qualcomm is the world's largest. It reported revenues of $3.88 billion in the second quarter.
In January last year, Qualcomm signed a collaboration agreement with Globalfoundries, the Abu Dhabi microchip maker. Under the agreement, it was proposed Globalfoundries would start accepting Qualcomm chip designs for manufacture.
The Advanced Technology Investment Company (Atic), which is owned by the Abu Dhabi Government, owns almost 90 per cent of Globalfoundries.
A Globalfoundries chip-manufacturing plant is being built in the UAE capital at a cost of up to $8bn, and is set to start operations in 2015.
Mr Srage said there were "ongoing discussions" between Qualcomm and Globalfoundries, but would not comment on whether Qualcomm chips would be manufactured at the new plant.
bflanagan@thenational.ae
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES
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PAKISTAN SQUAD
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Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
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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
If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
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%3Cp%3EThe%20fielding%20side%20shall%20be%20ready%20to%20start%20each%20over%20within%2060%20seconds%20of%20the%20previous%20over%20being%20completed.%0D%3Cbr%3EAn%20electronic%20clock%20will%20be%20displayed%20at%20the%20ground%20that%20counts%20down%20seconds%20from%2060%20to%20zero.%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20clock%20is%20not%20required%20or%2C%20if%20already%20started%2C%20can%20be%20cancelled%20if%3A%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09A%20new%20batter%20comes%20to%20the%20wicket%20between%20overs.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09An%20official%20drinks%20interval%20has%20been%20called.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09The%20umpires%20have%20approved%20the%20on%20field%20treatment%20of%20an%20injury%20to%20a%20batter%20or%20fielder.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09The%20time%20lost%20is%20for%20any%20circumstances%20beyond%20the%20control%20of%20the%20fielding%20side.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09The%20third%20umpire%20starts%20the%20clock%20either%20when%20the%20ball%20has%20become%20dead%20at%20the%20end%20of%20the%20previous%20over%2C%20or%20a%20review%20has%20been%20completed.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09The%20team%20gets%20two%20warnings%20if%20they%20are%20not%20ready%20to%20start%20overs%20after%20the%20clock%20reaches%20zero.%0D%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%A2%09On%20the%20third%20and%20any%20subsequent%20occasion%20in%20an%20innings%2C%20the%20bowler%E2%80%99s%20end%20umpire%20awards%20five%20runs.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
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1999 - 1st round
2000 - 1st round
2001 - Quarter-finalist
2002 - 1st round
2003 - Winner
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2005 - Winner
2006 - Winner
2007 - Winner
2008 - Finalist
2009 - Winner
2010 - Quarter-finalist
2011 - Quarter-finalist
2012 - Winner
2013 - 2nd round
2014 - Finalist
2015 - Finalist
2016 - Semi-finalist
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Date started: June 2016
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Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
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WTA titles 3
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Wins / losses 293 / 149
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Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
