Wireless Federation

Etisalat offers ePayment services in partnership with TechTuners (UAE)

On 01.02.12, In Mobile, By Editor

Etisalat, the largest telecommunications company in the UAE, has entered into a partnership with software company TechTuners in an attempt to provide e-payment services for the travel industry. According to company reports, the mobile operator will combine its online payment platform with the Tech Tuners software for the travel industry, which will allow airlines, travel agents and hotels to make online payments using the Etisalat Payment Gateway. As per sources, users can make online payments via a credit card using Etisalat’s secure and reliable payment gateway.

Reports reveal that Marwan Al Qadi, Senior Director-Mobile Commerce, Etisalat has said that through the strategic collaboration and partnership with TechTuners, they are now focusing on key industry segments, such as, the travel and tourism sector, which requires the secured and efficient processing of online transactions keeping in view the unprecedented advancement of technology.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: e-payment • Etisalat • Marwan Al Qadi • TechTuners

Etisalat launches mobile money services (Afghanistan)

On 12.02.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Etisalat Afghanistan has reportedly launched Telepin Software’s mobile money service titled mHawala. According to reports, Etisalat Afghanistan is the first mobile network operator to offer complete mobile banking services as well as cross-border money transfers in the future.

As per sources, Vincent Kadar, CEO, Telepin has said that they understand transactions better than any general value-added services infrastructure vendor and apply this knowledge to forward-thinking operators such at Etisalat Afghanistan. He added that Etisalat is responding to the needs of its customers, and is delivering a best-in-class mobile money solution that will extend value to its mobile subscribers, merchant networks, and ecosystem partners.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Afghanistan • Etisalat • mHawala • Mobile Banking • mobile money • Telepin software

Etisalat adds seven more HD channels to its IPTV service (UAE)

On 11.30.11, In Mobile, By Editor

UAE based telecommunications service provider, Etisalat, has reportedly added seven high definition channels from broadcaster MBC, to its eLife Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) service. According to reports, Rashed Majed Alabbar, Vice President (home product marketing), Etisalat, has said that the company always aims to provide the most engaging, refreshing and relevant content for their eLife customers.

Alabbar said that these new HD channels, which are available for eLife subscribers, will further enrich their HD line-up, offering a truly unparalleled viewing experience. Further, he also said that the majority of these channels from MBC are amongst the top 10 most popular channels on the network, so they are confident this gesture will be well-received by their valued customers.

As per sources, ELife currently delivers over 350 TV channels in 21 languages, across various genres such as sports, films, entertainment, music and children’s channels.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: eLife • Etisalat • IPTV • MBC

Mobile operators shift focus towards rural markets (Nigeria)

On 11.24.11, In Mobile, By Editor

With the increase in saturation of mobile services in urban markets across the world, mobile operators have shifted their focus to towards the relatively untapped rural markets for better business opportunities and a chance at increasing revenues.

According to reports, industry analysts predict Nigeria the largest mobile market in the continent, to be home to over 90 million subscribers by this year end. Further, improvements in broadband connectivity along with the emergence of new generation smartphones are expected to drive mobile data growth in the economy.

In most rural economies, the lack of adequate infrastructure has been a grave cause of concern for mobile operators as it reduces their profits and drives up costs for customers. Currently, industry reports suggest that a fully functioning network grid could help operators cut their mobile tariffs by 50 percent, which is higher than those being offered in developed countries.

Changes have been observed in the investment environment as well. With operators offering discounted services to low income users in order to expand their reach, the ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) has witnessed a decline. Bharti Airtel, which had acquired Africa’s Zain, slashed its prices by significant amounts in a bid to increase its market share, which increased the pressure across the industry. Further, sources reveal that Etisalat (Saudi Arabia) and Globacom have also been increasingly gaining customers, giving strong competition to market leader MTN.

The next big thing in the economy is being considered to be mobile banking services. With a large portion of the population being unbanked but gaining access to mobile devices, more and more consumers are using their phone to transfer money and pay for goods, in a more convenient and secure manner.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: ARPU • Bharti Airtel • Etisalat • Globacom • Mobile Banking • MTN • Niger • Nigeria • Rural Mobile Market • Saudi Arabia • Zain

TRA asks operators to reduce tariff rates in UAE

On 11.17.11, In Mobile, By Editor

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in UAE has reportedly said that it has presented proposals on reduction in tariff rates to both the operators – Etisalat and Du. According to reports, Mohammed Al Ghanim, Director General, TRA, has said that after nearly three years of work on the price and competitiveness issue, TRA made recommendations which are being considered by the operators. He added that they expect such recommendations to be enforced by the end of this year.

Regarding the addition of new operators in the region, the regulator has reportedly said that currently there are no new operators expected until at least 2015. As per sources, Ghanim has said that there are no plans to admit new operators to the UAE in the next four years, but they will start implementing a plan for market liberalization in 2015 following consultation with the concerned international parties, including the World Trade Organization to evaluate the local market and its need for a new operator so that they can take the right decision at the right time.

Further, reports reveal that Ghanim has also hinted at setting up a main internet server in the UAE by the end of this year in an attempt to upgrade the network to enable faster data transfer while reducing the costs incurred.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: DU • Etisalat • Mohammed al-Ghanim • Network Upgrade • tariff rate cut • TRA • UAE

Etisalat hopes to resume iMessage services soon (UAE)

On 11.14.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Etisalat, the largest telecommunications company in the UAE, has assured its users that they are looking into the issues regarding Apple’s iMessage service and FaceTunes, and hope to resume them shortly. According to reports, the operator had disabled these services within the UAE citing local regulations.

As per sources, Etisalat said that the use of iMessage is currently being reviewed by the local Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), while the FaceTime feature had been disabled by Apple itself.

Reports reveal that Mohamed Al Ghanim, Director General, TRA has said that there was no intention to block iMessage, and that he has been in touch with the telecom operators in UAE to understand why some of the Apple services appear to have been blocked.

The iMessage service enables Apple users to send free SMS messages to one another, while the FaceTime feature allows users to make video calls.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Apple • Etisalat • FaceTunes • iMessage

Alcatel-Lucent signs agreement with Etisalat to provide mobile broadband services (France, UAE)

On 10.28.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

Paris based global telecommunications corporation, Alcatel-Lucent has reportedly entered into an agreement with mobile operator Etisalat, to develop and deliver mobile broadband services to customers. According to reports, Etisalat will help in the development of Alcatel’s lightRadio technology by participating in joint working groups and easy trials.

As per sources, Nicolas Bouverot, Vice President Middle East, Alcatel-Lucent has said that their work with Etisalat and other major operators on the development of lightRadio will provide them with a greater insight into how operators plan to implement this groundbreaking new technology in their networks. He further said that through its collaboration around lightRadio, Etisalat would help define the commercial introduction of this new product family in the Middle East and in other markets, meeting its own subscribers’ demands for innovative new mobile services while providing operators with a flexible path for business growth into the next decade.

Nasser bin Obood, Acting CEO, Etisalat has reportedly said that this agreement will allow them to shape the future of mobile networks and define how lightRadio can be best implemented to satisfy their customers growing demands. He added that Etisalat is proud to be the only operator in the Middle East and Africa to join this pioneering program.

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: Alcatel-Lucent • Etisalat • LightRadio • Nasser Bin Obood • Nicolas Bouverot

Etisalat launches ‘My DataPlan’, offers users 4 new internet plans (UAE)

On 09.26.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

Etisalat has introduced four new and attractively priced mobile broadband bundles for its postpaid customers through the recently launched ‘My DataPlan’ starting at US$ 7.9. Users now have the option to choose from four different packs termed ‘Basic’, ‘Plus’, ‘Extra’ and ‘Ultra’, offering data capacities starting from 100 MB upto 20 GB, the largest data allowance in UAE. Further, customers subscribing to the ‘Plus’, ‘Extra’ and ‘Ultra’ pack also receive free hours of unlimited Internet usage and download from midnight to 3am every day.

In order to enable users to keep track of their data usage, Etisalat will send its users alerts via SMS with the first alert being sent to customers as soon as they use 80 per cent of their mobile data usage. Users signing a six to twelve month contract also have the option to choose from a wide range of devices such as USB Modems, Wireless Routers and Tablets, available free or at discounted prices.

According to reports, Matthew Willsher, Chief Marketing Officer at Etisalat said that there has been an exponential growth in data usage globally and in the UAE alike. In response to this demand, Etisalat’s My DataPlan is the first in the country to offer a 20GB data pack option. Charged US$ 0.14 per MB, it also has the lowest out-of-bundle rates.

Willsher added that the packs are tailored to suit their customer’s varying needs and lifestyles. They have exclusive benefits that will provide faster speeds and uninterrupted mobility at competitive price points. For instance, customers subscribing to any My DataPlan pack on a contract basis can choose from a range of latest 3G data devices and tablets. These new super-speed 42Mbps devices are available to them for free or at over 50% discounted prices. They are certain that the new data plans will enhance customer uptake of the array of content and rich media experience on Etisalat’s broadband.

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: Etisalat • My DataPlan • UAE • USA

Etisalat launches 4G LTE mobile network (UAE)

On 09.26.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

Etisalat, UAE’s leading telecom operator announced the launch of its 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE)-FDD mobile network across the Emirates. According to reports, Nasser Bin Obood, CEO, said with this launch, Etisalat has become one of the first telecommunications operators in the world to complete this technological achievement which enhances the country’s global position in terms of providing advanced telecommunication services. He added that the 4G (LTE) had tremendous potential and capabilities in enhancing customer-experience.

Further, he stated that the LTE network offers speeds exceeding 100 MB /s and is particularly effective when utilising large amounts of data, such as watching high definition movies, playing online multiplayer games, using social applications and utilising other bandwidth-intensive applications.

Obood also said that this contributes in the ongoing development process of the UAE. For the LTE network, more than 700 base stations have been renovated and equipped to provide 4G services in the country. He also added that Etisalat is planning up to 1,000 fully operational base stations by the end of this year.

Matthew Willsher, Chief Marketing Officer for Etisalat has reportedly said that in recent times, there has been a tremendous surge in both, subscriber numbers and data usage. Smartphones are growing at almost 90 per cent a year. A whole new computing platform for mobile broadband has emerged, creating a thriving market for mobile apps – and changing the way one interacts with the Internet.

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: 4G LTE • Etisalat • UAE • USA

Etisalat and Mobily compete to be the first to provide LTE services in the Middle East

On 09.12.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

Mobile operators Etisalat in the UAE and Mobily in Saudi Arabia are both in an attempt to become the first operator to provide LTE services in the Middle East. According to reports, Marwan Zawaydeh, Etisalat’s CTO, said in April, that the firm was satisfied with its trials of LTE and that the market was ready for the technology, hinting at an early launch. However, based on recent news, sources claim that Etisalat may offer the service early next year.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabian operator Mobily has been facing problems with the allocation of LTE spectrum in Saudi Arabia. With the military using the 2.6 Ghz spectrum band, the operators are not allowed to launch their preferred FDD-LTE in that band. As a result, Mobily aims to launch a TD-LTE service using spectrum that it holds through a subsidiary.

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: Etisalat • LTE • Middle East • Mobily • Saudi Arabia • UAE