Etisalat reduces cost of mobile internet access

HIGH-SPEED ACCESS: Etisalat is offering higher-speed mobile internet access at no extra cost. (Getty Images)

Etisalat has cut the cost of its high-speed mobile internet access as part of plans to boost the number of people in the UAE using their cell phones, including iPhones to surf the internet, it announced on Sunday.

The firm’s Wasel and post-paid mobile broad band packages are now offering more than 100 percent extra bandwidth than previous packages, which means data download rates are 25 times cheaper than their predecessors.

Etisalat has invested billions of dollars to develop its high-speed mobile broadband network - providing 3G coverage to the 99% of the populated areas of the UAE.

It is now pushing for customers to use their mobile devices more to enjoy various other applications like music and video downloads, video streaming, YouTube, facebook, online gaming, navigation and instant messaging.

"Etisalat believes that mobile broadband is the future of the internet, with the ever increasing need to 'feel connected' all the time. This need is further accentuated with the increasing proliferation of smart phones introduced by Etisalat in UAE,” said Essa Al Haddad, Chief Marketing Officer.

“Etisalat will continue to add new elements and services to its mobile broadband initiative to boost its adoption in the UAE and create the best possible mobile multimedia and broadband experience for its customers," he added.

Mobile customers can now enjoy 10 MB instead of 2MB, 100 MB instead of 50, and 1GB instead of 120 MB, all at the same price.

New packages of 1GB and 5GB in addition to the existing 10GB package, have also been introduced especially for mobile broadband customers, who connect through the 3.5G Modems, 3.5G router, 3G data card and Netbooks.

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READERS' COMMENTS

The GCC Monopoly situation
Posted by Kalid on Monday 25 May 2009 at 20:56 UAE time


I agree with you Andy, unfortunately, Governments around the Gulf fail to see the value of stimulating broadband uptake and don't see the value of ushering in true competition for a better standard of living and doing business.

Add to this the share lack of diverse international IP bandwidth links in the Gulf, it adds to years of highly expensive broadband compared to the rest of the world.

However, if Governments identify the true value of competition and share in the costs of dropping the costs bandwidth really low (to international benchmarks, say singapore for example), offer independent access in building the fiber core network, and introducing LLU, then there could be some light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm looking at Bahrain at the moment. all those local and regional operators in there, LLU, bitstream, access orders, it's going to be blood-bath and poor Batelco.. if I were them, I would transfer my HQ out of Bahrain very soon and go to India!

Under 800 NT in Taiwan for unlimited download usage
Posted by Andy, Taipei, Taiwan on Monday 25 May 2009 at 09:14 UAE time


That amounts to about 90 Dhs. per month so in Dubai it costs 5X more for the same monthly service provided you don't exceed their cap of 10gb per month. I see no bargain in their latest monopoly. That is like a 500% tax which is beyond harahm as they say in Arabic.

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