MTC-Vodafone (Kuwait) announced a unique new high-tech menu that delivers all of MTC-Vodafone’s comprehensive services under one portal in a simple, easy-to-use way, becoming the first company in the world to make such an offering.

The menu makes it more efficient and convenient to use mobile phones by allowing customers to access and play the latest games, personalise ring tones, receive help directly without dialling 107 and pay their bills.
“This new offering merges cutting-edge technology with maximum user-friendliness delivering the greatest simplicity and convenience while allowing all our customers to stay current with the latest in mobile phone technologies,” said Haitham Al Khaled, deputy director-general for MTC Business Development Group.
The menu is available for all MTC-Vodafone customers, offering them many benefits that facilitate their everyday activities.
It is currently certified for three Nokia phone models (6600, 6670 and 7610) and the range of certified phones will soon expand. Customers can receive the MTC-Vodafone menu for free by visiting any of the MTC-Vodafone or Future Communications Company (FCC) branches. FCC supplied MTC with ringing tones, backgrounds and video clips for the menu.
One of the partners in the menu was SurfKitchen, the world’s leading provider of mobile software to the Mobile Dynamic User Experience (Due) market.
 “ The new menu is similar to basic menus available on modern mobile phones, but benefits customers by combining all MTC-Vodafone services and the phone native services including Internet web and WAP browsing, mobile TV, MMS and ring tones, among other things, with an easier navigation experience,” said Al Khaled.
Once downloaded, the service is automatically configured with no extra set-ups.  MTC-Vodafone leads the field as the first company in the world to launch this kind of comprehensive service,” Al Khaled said.
“A year and a half after successfully launching 3G in Bahrain, we are confident that MTC-Vodafone menus will be greatly appreciated by our customers as it is a first of its kind in the region and the world. MTC Vodafone introduces human technology – the art of combining cutting-edge technology with the greatest user-friendliness to create maximum value for its customers. MTC-Vodafone yet again sets a trend in mobile   technology which simplifies customers’ daily activities for both business and personal pursuits.”
Discussing the new service, the official explained it automatically updated all products and services offered by MTC-Vodafone and its partners without customers having to activate or request any of the services. Not only would it deliver faster and easier access to fun features such as games, ring tones and MMS, it would also give easy access to the main phone functions, the mobile operator and content services and there was no need to remember any short codes.
“We see the MTC-Vodafone menu as the wave of the future, where the latest technology is consolidated in one easy-to-use service and delivered directly to our customers’ hands. Innovative new products like the MTC-Vodafone menu create a new lifestyle for our customers by delivering greater freedom and independence.
Salah Al Awady, FCC president, said the menu extended the strong relationship between FCC and MTC-Vodafone beyond Kuwait to reach the outside market.
Michel Quazza, SurfKitchen’s CEO, said: “We are excited to work with MTC-Vodafone as they continue their rapid growth across the Middle East and Africa. Kuwait is a market of sophisticated users in considerable volume, and this deployment will be really interesting as we measure the adoption of advanced data services. This is a strategic milestone for SurfKitchen, as the Middle East is integral in developing our profile and overall global expansion strategy.”
SurfKitchen’s Due software enables any organisation to rapidly and cost-effectively offer advanced mobile data services - key revenue generators - and to brand and customise (over-the-air) the look and feel of the end user’s device. SurfKitchen’s SurfKit Mobile software powers some of the world’s leading mobile operators and media companies including O2 UK, O2 Germany, Telenor, Sonofon, Telefónica Moviles, TIM Italy, TIM Greece and Smart Global.
Eddy Rizk, communications manger, Nokia, Middle East and North Africa region, attended the launch.
MTC, standing for Mobile Telecommunications Company, was founded in 1983 and today is one of the largest mobile operators in the Middle East and Africa, with more than 8.5 million customers in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and 13 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The company is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange.
In September 2002, MTC entered into a partner network agreement with Vodafone, creating MTC Vodafone Kuwait. In 2003, it continued its expansion with the acquisition of 96.4 per cent of Fastlink in Jordan.
In 2003, MTC-Vodafone Bahrain was launched with the first 3G/Edge nationwide network in the world. In 2004, the MTC Atheer service was launched in southern Iraq and today covers Baghdad as well.
2004 also witnessed the Government of Lebanon handing over the management of one of the two mobile networks (Mic2) to the MTC Group. And in March of this year, it acquired Celtel International, a Dutch communications network company with major interests in 13 Sub-Saharan African countries in one of the biggest telecom deals in the Middle East and Africa worth $3.6 billion.
With the latest deal, the MTC Group has completed the first phase of its 3 x 3 x 3 strategy, which entails becoming a global operator with more than 15 million customers by 2011.
MTC says it will continue to expand internationally through acquisitions, partnerships and greenfield opportunities.