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Discuss this article (2 Comments)UAE mobile phone network choice to launch in Nov
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Wednesday, 21 October 2009
MORE CHOICE: Customers in the UAE will be able to migrate between Etisalat and Du networks on the same number from November. (Getty Images)
Mobile phone customers in the UAE will be able to migrate between Etisalat and Du networks from next month, a senior official has revealed.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) is set to launch mobile phone number portability in the UAE in November, Mohammed Gheyath, executive director, Technology Development Affairs said.
The move will allow customers to migrate to any network operator using their existing number and will help boost competition between the country's two operators, bringing price and service benefits to consumers, he added in comments published in Emirates Business on Wednesday.
"We have contracted a vendor and are working towards meeting our obligations and deadlines to launch this year. We will launch mobile phone number portability (MNP) in November," he told the paper.
Reports earlier this month had said the TRA would launch the service early next year but Gheyath said that was inaccurate.
He added: "We are targeting November for launch. This is an information technology-based project and the application testing, verification... everything is in place."
Contrary to market speculation, both operators were open to the idea of number portability, he told the paper.
"There was absolutely no opposition to number portability from both operators. The competition it brings is in favour of everyone, especially for the consumer," he added.
For more from GITEX, visit ITP.net
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Broadband Charges
Posted by Kumdhar, Sharjah, UAE on Friday 20 November 2009 at 20:19 UAE time
I totally agree with R.D.Srinivasan. I would like to talk about Broadband charges.
We can get a 512Kbps Download/128Kbps upload Broadband link with 1 email account in Sri lanka by paying 51 AED monthly. Here at Etisalat it costs 189 AED monthly. Sri Lanka like developinbg country can provide internet service 27% lesser than Etisalat. Same can apply for Mobile charges too.
Why TRA does not try to lower the telecom. charges?
Posted by Kumdhar, Sharjah, UAE on Friday 20 November 2009 at 20:19 UAE time
I totally agree with R.D.Srinivasan. I would like to talk about Broadband charges.
We can get a 512Kbps Download/128Kbps upload Broadband link with 1 email account in Sri lanka by paying 51 AED monthly. Here at Etisalat it costs 189 AED monthly. Sri Lanka like developinbg country can provide internet service 27% lesser than Etisalat. Same can apply for Mobile charges too.
Why TRA does not try to lower the telecom. charges?
Telecom Rates
Posted by R.D.Srinivasan, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 09:22 UAE time
These are all OK. But when Etisalat is going to bring down the calling rates and rental charges? To call India from UAE the full rate per minute is above AED 2 whreas to call UAE from India it is just 0.7 AED per minute, which is almost one third. Also it may be noted that UAE telephone rates are one of the highest tariffs in the world. In some of the Europan countries for just about 30 to 40 Euros per month you can get landline/mobileline/internet/entertainment TV channels etc. It is high time Etisalat pass on the benefits to customers from their profits which is running in to billions.
Posted by R.D.Srinivasan, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 22 October 2009 at 09:22 UAE time
These are all OK. But when Etisalat is going to bring down the calling rates and rental charges? To call India from UAE the full rate per minute is above AED 2 whreas to call UAE from India it is just 0.7 AED per minute, which is almost one third. Also it may be noted that UAE telephone rates are one of the highest tariffs in the world. In some of the Europan countries for just about 30 to 40 Euros per month you can get landline/mobileline/internet/entertainment TV channels etc. It is high time Etisalat pass on the benefits to customers from their profits which is running in to billions.
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