Ooredoo Maldives and Huawei Marine to deploy National Submarine Cable in Maldives

Source: Ooredoo. 

Ooredoo Maldives has partnered with Huawei Marine to deploy a US$25 million nationwide fibreoptic submarine cable in line with the country’s broadband policy of making Maldives the most advanced country in ICT across the SAARC region. As Ooredoo ventures into new areas such as fixed line Internet and mobile money, the submarine cable will allow the company to address rising traffic needs arising from the surge in usage of mobile broadband and fibre access to homes and businesses.

The submarine cable utilises Huawei Marine’s 100G Technology and stretches across 1,200 km. It is expected to enhance the quality of Internet connectivity across the country. Combined with an escalated network capacity for the delivery of high bandwidth services, this will provide Ooredoo with an enhanced resilient network that can fully address the country’s increasing communication needs across developing islands and new resort locations.

Speaking at the launch ceremony the Maldives' Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer said: “The government has a strong vision of making Maldives one of the most digitally advanced countries in the region. Ooredoo’s National Submarine Cable will greatly contribute towards the delivery of this vision, and we thank Ooredoo for their support in bringing the benefits of digital to all our people.”

Ooredoo’s CEO, Vikram Sinha said: “As the Internet continues to bring remarkable value to individuals, families and businesses across the world, we are of firm belief that it is the right of each and every individual to be connected to the abundant benefits of the Internet. With this is mind, we are proud to take this revolutionary step that will enable us to connect our communities to a fast and reliable broadband internet and support their digital lifestyles from wherever they are in the Maldives."

Ooredoo took the lead in introducing 2G EDGE, 3G and the 4G LTE networks to the Maldives. The National Submarine Cable Project will further strengthen the role that Ooredoo is playing in developing the telecommunication infrastructure of the Maldives, and connecting the nation to a digital future when it is ready by the end of 2016.

Maldivians enthusiastic about MEGA Maldives' Kuala Lumpur flights

Source: MEGA Maldives. The first flight to Kuala Lumpur, LV300, left Male at 0800 on 2 December with 116 passengers.

Since announcing the relaunch of the Male-Kuala Lumpur route in November, MEGA Maldives has seen increased demand from Maldivians travelling directly to Malaysia, the airline said.

MEGA Maldives will fly Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to Kuala Lumpur with tickets from US$299 onwards. 

BML announces Eid hours

The Bank of Maldives (BML) Main Branch will open on 22 September 2015 from 8:30am to 2:00pm and will offer deposit and withdrawal services. In addition, the Bank’s eight Self-Service Banking units will offer customers the opportunity to deposit and withdraw cash 24 hours a day during holidays.

In the atolls, the Bank now has over 100 cash agents that allows customers to withdraw up to MVR 2,000 per day. BML’s Customer Service hotline 333 0200, Internet banking services and ATMs across the country will all be available 24 hours per day.

BML's Head of Customer Service, Moosa Nimal commented, “We are pleased to announce our commitment to support customers 24x7 during the Eid holiday. With our investments in self-service banking, customers can now deposit, withdraw, transfer and make payments, any day, at any time.”

Interested?

Self-service banking units are located at:

BML Head Office ground floor, Majeedhee Magu Branch, Bazar Branch, BML Lite, Velaanaage, Boduthakurufaanu Magu (near Artificial Beach), Ministry of Finance & Treasury (Ameenee Magu) and Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA).

Check locations of BML cash agents

posted from Bloggeroid

Bank of Maldives launches home takaful product

Source: Bank of Maldives.

The Bank of Maldives today added insurance to its portfolio of products and services. BML Insurance is underwritten by Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives and includes a full range of insurance products, including home takaful.

Bank of Maldives CEO and Managing Director Andrew Healy said, “The launch of BML Insurance means that our customers do not need to go elsewhere for their insurance needs. We can now meet all their financial needs, not just the normal banking elements. From today customers can access a full range of insurance services from any of our branches across the country. This is particularly important in atolls where insurance may not have been readily available before.”

Managing Director of Allied Insurance, Ahmed Ameel said, “This partnership marks a very important step forward in the Maldives financial sector. Both Bank of Maldives and Allied Insurance Company play a very vital role in the community and in the business environment. I’m confident that this partnership will bring great benefits for everyone.”

Interested?

Further information and application forms for BML’s insurance products can be obtained online and at any of the 27 BML branches. 

Hajj pilgrims from the Maldives take chartered flights by MEGA Maldives Airlines to Saudi Arabia

Source: MEGA Maldives Airlines.

MEGA Maldives Airlines has begun its special charter flights for Maldivians making the pilgrimage to the Hajj this year. The first flight carrying 300 Maldivian passengers from the Maldives Hajj Corporation departed Ibrahim Nasir International Airport on 28 August and arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The special charter flights are in operation to 1 September. MEGA Maldives Airlines carried 1,766 Maldivians on six flights, comprising 1,300 passengers from the Hajj Corporation, 235 from the Minah Hajj Group and 231 from the Zaeema Hajj Group. This is the second year in which MEGA Maldives Airlines has offered its services to carry Maldivians directly to Jeddah from Male, given the challenges faced by Maldivians flying to Saudi Arabia in previous years.

MEGA Maldives and Hajj Corporation signed a charter agreement in July 2015, formalising the arrangements which made MEGA Maldives Airlines the principal carrier for the Hajj. During the signing ceremony in July, the CEO of MEGA Maldives George Weinmann stated that it was an honour for the airline to be providing Hajj services, which it hopes to continue in the years ahead.

The return flights from Jeddah to Male will commence on 28 September and end on 1 October 2015.

SilkAir to fly to Male four times a week from October

Source: SilkAir. Male. From 25 October 2015, SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will begin four times weekly services to Male. Previously, Singapore Airlines offered a variable frequency of 10 to 14 flights a week to the capital of the Maldives. Now, together with SilkAir’s new services, both airlines will offer a total of two round-trip services a day, subject to regulatory approval. Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice President Marketing Planning Lee Wen Fen said: “By synergising the networks of both carriers, we are able to provide customers more choice and greater flexibility when planning their travel itineraries. This is another example of the Singapore Airlines Group’s commitment to continuously expanding our combined network and enhancing connectivity options for our customers.” SilkAir’s Chief Executive Leslie Thng, said: “The Maldives is a popular travel destination offering great beauty both above and below the water, with its stunning white sand beaches and equally beautiful underwater world. We are glad to be able to join Singapore Airlines to bring travellers from around the world to this picturesque island destination.” Details of flight numbers and schedules for services between Singapore and Male from October 25 are as follows (timings listed are local): Singapore (SIN) to Male (MLE) Flights Flight Days of Operation Departure Arrival SQ452 Daily SIN 2035hrs* MLE 2210hrs Operated by Singapore Airlines MI482 Mon Tue Wed Thu SIN 1005hrs MLE 1140hrs Operated by SilkAir SQ462 Fri Sat Sun SIN1005hrs MLE1140hrs Operated by Singapore Airlines *SQ452 timings from 25Oct15 to 20Nov15: SIN 2020hr MLE 2210hr Male (MLE) to Singapore (SIN) Flights Flight Days of Operation Departure Arrival SQ451 Daily MLE 2325hrs SIN 0715hrs (+1) Operated by Singapore Airlines MI481 Mon Tue Wed Thu MLE 1255hrs SIN 2045hrs Operated by SilkAir SQ461 Fri Sat Sun MLE 1255hrs SIN2045hrs Operated by Singapore Airlines