Rift with Iranian partner behind licence loss - Etisalat

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The Iranian regulator did not strip Etisalat of the country’s third mobile licence, but disagreement with its local partner may have cost the company the licence, the chairman of Etisalat told Arabian Business on Friday.

The local partner that controls the consortium that was awarded the licence wanted to change the terms of the deal, which put it at odds with the Iranian regulator, Mohammed Omran said on Friday in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Jordan.

The company was stripped of Iran’s third mobile licence this week after the country’s telecom regulator said it had failed to “fulfill its obligations”.

In January a consortium made up of Etisalat and Iran’s Tamin Telecom won the license, which has now been awarded to a consortium led by Kuwait’s Zain.

However, Omran told Arabian Business that Etisalat is still in talks with the regulator, but that it would not be working with its previous partner.

It would take some time for the issue to be resolved, he added.

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Posted by: macca

Yes Said you are absolutely right. You confirm what everyone long feared and suspected about the great land given, and built by others. If we don't like it, then we know what we can do. Well thats just what we are doing, goodbye, enjoy the sand the half finished buildings.

Posted by: Abdul

As an Emirati, I'm not proud of Etitsalat. Their charges are way to much, their service is awful and they are non existent in customer service. This country needs some real telecommunication competition, and if that happens Etisalat will go into extinction. To get a shamil connection its takes nearly a month and staff are very unhelful when contacted. I think TRA needs to get their and Etisalat's act together and change with the times, otherwise their service here will have a negative impact on their bidding overseas.

Posted by: Said Abdul Al-Baqi

Less what? What was that again? Less Emiratization??? So sorry to disappoint you but soon most jobs will be for the nationals of the UAE. We fervently pray that your respective governments can provide you security, growth and development the way this nation provides its nationals. This is how the UAE is, this is how Etisalat is, this is how Du is, if you like it, then enjoy your temporary stay in this great land otherwise you can easily find your way to the several airports of this great land.

Posted by: SN

I am more than 100% in agreement with Hamdan and his accurate description of Etisalat and how they should be dealt with. Why should Etisalat get a favourable treatment every where, when it doesn't care for its home subsriber. In UAE, their service is awful, charges are exhorbitant and customer service is virtually non-existing. Come on Etisalat you need to earn the respect by doing good work at home first.

Posted by: macca

Greed Greed Greed is becoming the new battle cry for the UAE. British builders cannot get paid, UK press full of negativity about the UAE particularly Dubai, not because of stereotypes but because its true. Time to have a change in the culture I think less emiritization, more transparency and honesty required !!

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