Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, announces that over three billion mobile phonebook contacts across the Middle East and Africa region alone are now being saved through its LinqUs Cloud Backup solution. This market-leading solution is currently deployed by 22 different mobile network operators in the region, 90% of which have opted for Gemalto’s fully operated service in SaaS mode. Having doubled in the last 24 months, now over 40 million subscribers no longer have to worry about losing touch with friends, family or business contacts, should their phone be lost or stolen.

“Our cloud backup solutions are number one in the region,” said Eric Claudel, President for Africa & Middle East at Gemalto. “The combination of a field proven solution with our extensive experience in managing platforms on behalf of customers ensures that we can readily replicate and share best practice and expertise. With 9 out of 10 of our clients in the region opting for the Gemalto-operated-service solution, it is clear we are increasingly recognized as a strategic partner that can support particularly dynamic business development plans.”

The popularity of Gemalto LinqUs Cloud Backup solution reflects its value as an essential safeguard for modern connected lifestyles. Offered by the mobile operators, familiar and trusted by subscribers, it works with any type of phone, whether feature phone or smart phone, and regardless of whether contacts are saved in the handset or the SIM card. For end users, storing and retrieving contacts are hence simple and seamless operations, which provide complete peace of mind.

LinqUs Cloud Backup solution is accessible to the entire subscriber base. It eliminates the dramatic fall-off in traffic that occurs when phone users have to rebuild their address book from scratch on a new handset. Protecting and restoring contacts also significantly strengthens the bond between the mobile operator and the subscriber. When deploying LinqUs Cloud Backup solution, mobile operators can either opt for an on-premise platform, or choose a fully hosted cloud-base service that provides equal levels of industry-leading security and flexibility.

LinqUs Cloud Backup solution belongs to Gemalto’s white-label LinqUs Personal Cloud suite of solutions, which addresses three key mobile consumer needs: data protection, device protection and family protection. LinqUs Personal Cloud suite of solutions enables mobile network operators (MNOs) to improve customer engagement and increase their brand loyalty by offering a value added service that users can trust and rely on.