CAIRO: Vodafone Egypt and Belgium's Effortel have launched a new MVNO service that will enable users in Europe to call Egypt and other North African countries at cheaper rates through the new “Bladna” service. Launced over the weekend, the goal is to increase communications between Europe, the Egyptian diaspora and their family and friends here in Cairo. A company official, speaking to a Bikyamasr.com contributor during the launch ceremony on Saturday said that “the new service will be instrumental for all Egyptians and other Arabs living outside the country to call and stay in touch with their friends and family back home.” The company said in a statement that Bladna is “all in Arabic language and it will be promoted by viral marketing, looking at the specific channels and shops that the Egyptian diaspora use. “Rather than traditional marketing and expensive outlets, Bladna will get its SIM cards and calling credits to potential customers using these outlets in Egyptian diaspora communities. There are over one million Egyptians emigrants in Italy and Bladna hopes to reach 150,000 subscribers after four years.” Hopes in Egypt's IT community are that other operators will follow Vodafone's lead in establishing more MVNOs in the near future to increase competition and enable those living abroad to have easier access to call home. A similar service was introduced in France for their Tunisian, Algerian and Moroccan diaspora living in the European country. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/sRSDa Tags: Bladna, Calls, Effortel, Vodafone Section: Egypt, Europe, Latest News, Tech
