Etisalat plans to lock next shipment of iPhones

LOCKED IN: Etisalat is waiting to get the go-ahead from the UAE's telecoms regulator to lock its next batch of iPhones, sources haev revealed. (Getty Images)

Etisalat is seeking approval from the UAE telecommunications regulator to lock the next shipment of iPhones to its own network, according to a source familiar with the plan.

If the locking application is given the green-light sanctioned by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), it would make it more difficult for subscribers to switch networks away from Etisalat, which is currently the only company in the country licensed to sell iPhones.

“What they have said is that the next shipment will be locked to Etisalat,” said the source. “But it will all be subject to the discussions with the TRA.”

An Etisalat spokesperson confirmed that the iPhone is currently sold unlocked, but declined to comment on future policy

The TRA has previously indicated that it will stop any pricing structures that could hamper competition.

Rival du is currently in talks with Apple to become the second carrier to sell the iPhone in the UAE.

“It is possible that there will be another operator offering the iPhone as Apple has generally moved away from the model of offering the phone through just one operator per country,” said Matthew Reed, a telecom analyst at Informa in Dubai.

Separately, Etisalat chief executive Mohammed Al Qamzi told a press conference last  Wednesday that his company wanted to lower the price of some of its iPhone packages, if given permission by the TRA.

The company had repeatedly contacted the regulator for permission to lower the price of the iPhone and other promotions, but had yet to hear back from the regulator, he added.

The TRA was not immediately available for comment.

Etisalat is one of the most expensive iPhone operators in the world.

The company launched the iconic Apple handset in the UAE in February this year.

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READERS' COMMENTS

iPhone by Etisalat
Posted by AD, Dubai on Tuesday 7 April 2009 at 16:44 UAE time


One more reason not to buy the phone from Etisalat ... as the exuberant package prices weren't enough to scare away potential costumers.

Locking means monopoly and monopoly is not Halal
Posted by Andy, Taipei, Taiwan on Monday 6 April 2009 at 22:57 UAE time


The UAE wishes to be a leader in the region and locking phones is not exactly a great thing to do. The Emirates is always comparing its self to Hong-Kong among other countries, well 3 in Hong-Kong sells their phones unlocked and so does the carrier CHT in Taiwan. If the UAE wishes to be competitive during this financial turmoil then it needs to offer more competitive price plans on their data packages and should sell their phones unlocked!

iPhone is too expensive in Dubai
Posted by Raj, Dubai, UAE on Monday 6 April 2009 at 10:21 UAE time


Forget it. I am not getting one! Blackberry is great and service is awesome too. Far as locking is concerned, its sad move. Give people a choice and win them with your service and competitive pricing. No wonder Etisalat is untouched by the financial crisis. Keep it up, wont earn u any friends.

iPhone Rates
Posted by Sanjeev Vijayan, Dubai, UAE on Monday 6 April 2009 at 09:56 UAE time

I found the iphone packages offered by Etisalat really expensive and while some options had less data transfers which didnt make proper sense. I am sure if they reduce these rates, more people would definitely go for it. With everyone reducing costs these days, I doubt if the vast majority of iphone fans can afford it.

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