News

Tumodo & Tabby Drive Innovation In The UAE’s Travel Market

The collaboration signifies a significant step forward in digitizing MENA business travel, including the use of AI technologies.

Published

6 months ago

June 4, 2024

Nour Nasir

tumodo and tabby drive innovation in the uae's travel market

UAE business travel platform Tumodo is set to integrate its services with Tabby, a leading MENA shopping and financial services app, in a move that will further the digital transformation of the region’s travel market.

Tabby already helps millions of people in the MENA region stay in control of their finances. Now, with the integration of Tumodo’s platform, business travelers will gain improved control over their travel expenses, along with greater transparency and accountability.

“The collaboration with Tabby signifies a major step forward in our mission to digitize business travel in the UAE and GCC, including the use of AI technologies. Now, we can extend brands’ reach to a wider audience and lead to a sustainable future,” said Vladimir Kokorin, founder of Tumodo.

Tumodo’s MENA expansion also comes at a time where the company is doubling its efforts to promote sustainable travel. Tumodo is advising all customers and partners on how they can be more eco-friendly when it comes to travel, and how to minimize the ecological impact of business trips.

Also Read: Oracle Is Planning To Build Two New Cloud Regions In Morocco

By 2022, spending in the global business travel market had risen to $1.03 trillion. However, that figure is expected to surpass the pre-pandemic figure of $1.4 trillion sometime this year. Despite many companies continuing to prefer online meetings, the business travel market continues to grow rapidly and is expected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2027.

The integration of Tumodo’s travel platform into Tabby’s service will surely enhance business efficiency and reinforce both companies’ commitments to sustainability. Meanwhile, the UAE will also benefit as it continues to grow into a leading business hub focused on sustainable practices.

News

Viasat Satellite Messaging Tech Showcased In Saudi Arabia

The direct-to-device (D2D) demonstration highlighted the technology’s potential to revolutionize remote communication.

Published

2 days ago

November 28, 2024

Nour Nasir

viasat satellite messaging tech showcased in saudi arabia

Satellite communications firm Viasat announced yesterday that it had completed its first demonstration of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity technology in Saudi Arabia. The live broadcast took place during the “Connecting the World from the Skies” event in Riyadh, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) alongside the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Attendees witnessed successful satellite-based two-way messaging and SOS alerts sent using commercial Android smartphones and a combination of Viasat’s robust L-band satellite network and the Bullitt over-the-top messaging app. Signals were transmitted using the company’s L-band spacecraft positioned over the Indian Ocean, while the infrastructure for 3GPP NTN services was deployed by Viasat’s partner Skylo.

Sandeep Moorthy, Viasat’s Chief Technical Officer, emphasized the significance of the demonstration, explaining, “By expanding our direct-to-device innovation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we’re showcasing the potential for D2D services in the fast-growing Gulf and Asia-Pacific region. D2D could help reduce barriers to connectivity in regions where terrestrial services are spotty and unavailable to help transform industries and supply chains, enable new opportunities, and to become more efficient, sustainable and safer. We’d like to thank the CST for their support in carrying out this exciting demonstration”.

Also Read: Joby Begins Construction Of Dubai’s First Vertiport For Air Taxis

D2D technology allows devices like smartphones, vehicles, and industrial equipment to connect seamlessly to both satellite and terrestrial networks. Unlike traditional satellite setups, D2D eliminates the need for extra hardware, thanks to emerging global standards that are gaining traction among satellite operators, mobile network providers, and tech manufacturers.

What makes this approach particularly promising is that Viasat uses a licensed, dedicated satellite spectrum to deliver its D2D services. This avoids any interference with existing terrestrial networks, allowing smooth integration with mobile network operators in the future.

The demonstration clearly showed the potential of D2D technology to bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions while opening up opportunities for innovation, improved safety, sustainability, and efficiency.