Etisalat jumps on netbook bandwagon

Etisalat is offering an Acer netbook bundle to subscribers in the UAE, for what it describes as a “less than zero” price.

The bundle, which includes an Acer Aspire One netbook plus one month’s free subscription to a mobile broadband data package, will retail for AED 1,849 ($503), with further discounts on data package for 24 months, giving total savings of AED 2,300 ($626) over two years.

Essa Al Haddad, chief marketing officer, Etisalat said: “Netbooks are the latest trend worldwide, with many people already enjoying the portability, on-the-go connectivity and affordability of this emerging new technology. Etisalat is proud to introduce this concept in the UAE, through Acer Aspire One, a Netbook with integrated 3G functionality and full Wi-Fi capability.

“With the attractive sub-zero price point, the sleek and stylish Aspire One will not only provide tremendous value and on the go connectivity to our customers, but will also change the Internet surfing and consumption dynamics in the UAE,” he added.

The Acer Aspire One model on offer is the 8.9” screen model, with Windows XP and HDD, rather than Linpus Linux lite or SSD versions, or the newer Aspire One D150 10”, and Etisalat states that the deal is a limited offer, available only while stocks last.

Sanjay Kachroo, regional corporate sales manager, Acer, said: “The success of the Aspire One netbook globally, illustrates the enormous demand consumers have for mobile devices that keep them connected. We are delighted to partner with Etisalat to launch this amazing next generation Netbook device in the UAE. Aspire One is a leader in the emerging Netbook market, and we believe that only a telecommunications leader like Etisalat can effectively introduce this device in the UAE. With a holistic value package being provided by Etisalat, Aspire One offers a perfect combination of innovation, convenience, coverage and value.”

The Aspire One includes embedded HSDPA capability, to give download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps, Intel Atom CPU, 1GB RAM and a 160GB HDD.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Too expensive
Posted by Faisal, Dubai on Tuesday 31 March 2009 at 22:40 UAE time


Paying AED (460-77) per month for 23 is not feasable total (8,809AED) even if the modem is included !
for some reason 3G data is very expensive in UAE

good combination
Posted by J.Oker, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 19 March 2009 at 17:17 UAE time


w.r.t. the previous comment - - I actually find the netbook offerings extremely attractive due to their small form factor as opposed to lugging around my usual "more powerful" laptop. I've been toying with my son's netbook and find it more than capable of handling my day-to-day tasks. The most resource intensive process I'll end up performing on my laptop is showing a powerpoint slideshow of around say 20 slides and the netbook seems to cope fine with that. Most of our corporate apps have a web interface anyways, so the browser is my friend ;-)

What I do find weird is that Etisalat expect netbook users to make more use of 3G networks. I've never needed to use 3G ever, and see any resirdual need diminishing in the future, as there is always a wifi hotspot conveniently available no matter where in the world I find myself these days. I've been around long enough to know how to protect myself when using public wifi.

not a good combination
Posted by nhowelson, sharjah, UAE on Wednesday 18 March 2009 at 10:06 UAE time


I believe combining the two package is'nt a good idea... most of the people who buy a netbook (acer one for instance) are those who have a lower budget... and people who take a 3G plan are those who have higher budget for 3G is too expensive... and people who have higher budget will rather go for a powerful notebook to enjoy the speed of their mobile broadband rather than fitting in a less powerful netbook... a cheaper 3G offer will balance the offer :)

Internet Charges
Posted by Viren, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Tuesday 17 March 2009 at 16:31 UAE time


I suggest Etisalat should charge a flat charge as being done for Al Shamil, and extend the scheme to Mobile Phones without an extra charge. People will shift from Dial up to Al Shamil very quickly. Forget Data Packages and let every body use Internet without bothering about variable charges.

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