• Existing Broadband customers can enjoy reduced monthly subscriptions for first three months
• New Customers enjoy first month for free along with free installation  

Abu Dhabi, 30 August 2010: Celebrating the Holy month of Ramadan, Etisalat has announced an attractive offer for both existing and new customers of its eLife double play and triple play services giving them the opportunity to experience value added features and benefits on TV, Internet and landline.

Existing Etisalat’s broadband customers planning to migrate to Etisalat’s eLife double play or triple play services benefit with reduced monthly subscriptions for the first three months. New customers can enjoy the first month for free along with free installation when they sign up for any of the eLife service packages, saving as high as AED 719 on the maximum speed package (30MBps) and installation charges.

Etisalat’s eLife double play service offers fixed broadband Internet with high speeds up to 30 mbps and landline services in one bundled offer, while the triple play service bundles double play along with great entertainment through IPTV, all of which is delivered through a single access network.

“Keeping in mind the ever-changing lifestyles and needs of our customers, Etisalat has introduced the eLife service offers, thereby presenting them with the opportunity to experience and enhance their lives through super-fast internet speeds, voice calls and rich entertainment through HD IPTV,” said Khalifa Al Shamsi, Senior Vice President, Marketing at Etisalat.

“Etisalat has established a reputation of a telecom service provider that is continuously innovating and identifying new ways for enhancing customer experience. We have invested in the futuristic fiber technology to bring benefits of world class services to our customers. We assure them that the eLife services will give them a truly transformational experience in terms of their digital lifestyle and connectivity needs, all at a great value.”

Table: eLife Double Play and Triple Play promotion

eLife’s double play and triple play services not only provide enhanced savings to customers, but also gives them the convenience of maintaining a single account and delivering significant value through its integrated customer service, combined value-added services, one-time installation and single bill payment. The eLife service offers a set of Internet features such as email boxes, anti-virus protection and hotspot hours, based on customer needs and preferences, for a usage period of three months.

Both eLife double play and triple play customers also stand to benefit by receiving:
- Extra hours of Wi Fi hotspot high-speed Internet access away from home, of up to 16 hours every month,
- Free caller ID,
- Voicemail access and
- Free 20 minutes of IDD to any international destination or STD per month.

New customers subscribing to, or upgrading their existing single or eLife double play package to eLife triple play package (8 Mbps and above) can enjoy watching all matches of the Barclays Premier League on AD sports channel for the entire year without additional charges.

Customers can simply call 800-77-666 or visit any of Etisalat’s Business Centres and Outlets across the UAE to apply for the service.

For more information on eLife packages, customers can call 101 or visit www.etisalat.ae.

Shahla Abdul Razak and Mustafa Al Shareef inaugurating Etisalat Outlet at DSO

Dubai, August 9th , 2010 - Etisalat today announced the opening of its dedicated outlet at the Dubai Silicon Oasis, the region’s leading technology hub, to offer priority based services to its free zone customers. Operational from 09:00hrs to 17:00 hrs, Sunday to Thursday, the new Etisalat outlet will benefit all companies operating at the free zone employing more than 2,500 people.

The inauguration was held in the presence of Shahla Abdul Razak, Deputy CEO of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) and Mustafa Al Shareef, Senior Vice President Sales - Etisalat, as well as business partners and employees.

The launch of the Etisalat outlet is part of an agreement between Etisalat and DSOA aimed at delivering enhanced ICT services for tenants at the Freezone with direct access to Etisalat services on a priority basis.

Customers will have options to choose from, including a free Smartphone offer

Abu Dhabi, UAE – August 3, 2010: Etisalat today responded rapidly to the announcement of the TRA to suspend BlackBerry services on October 11 and unveiled valuable, alternative mobility packages for its existing BlackBerry customers who were subscribed to the service as of July 31, 2010. The new packages offer bundled services such as SMS and MMS as well as mobile Internet data services and offer value far in excess of the monthly fee.

The basic package includes 1,000 local and international SMS and MMS messages and mobile data packages. Customers further have the choice to receive either voice calls of up to 550 minutes per month, or to sign a 12-month contract and receive a new Smartphone for free with no up-front payment.

“Since the moment we received notification from the TRA to suspend BlackBerry services, our teams have been working tirelessly to produce a range of packages which offer comparative or better value to our existing BlackBerry customers,” said Khalifa Al Shamsi, Senior Vice President, Marketing at Etisalat.

“Our first priority was to develop a package which will ensure a seamless migration for existing BlackBerry customers to the new Etisalat alternative packages on October 11, 2010. We then designed them so that they maintain similar or improved functionality ensuring continuity of service. We also offer our customers a choice of different package options which should suit various needs.”

Etisalat’s basic package which will be offered to all existing BlackBerry customers, will provide a bundle of data and telecommunications services to replace those previously offered. For example, a subscriber to Etisalat’s Unlimited Global service who used to pay Dhs 295 per month, will now pay only Dhs 260 per month and receive 1000 local & Intl. SMS and MMS messages, unlimited local data downloads and 10MB of roaming data. These services have an equivalent monetary value of up to Dhs 2,500 per month.  

On top of this, all current BlackBerry subscribers are eligible to receive a free Smartphone from leading manufacturers with no upfront charges, with a 12-month contract. This means that they can avail of a completely new and modern device at no upfront cost, at a similar or lower monthly fee. As an alternative customers can choose to take voice calls under a different package with a value of up to 550 minutes. 

Ahmed bin Ali, Group Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications said: “These packages have been developed with the BlackBerry customer in mind. We have looked at the services which they use most often, and have replaced them with comparable services from our wide portfolio. We have also ensured that the volume and value of the services on offer are greater than the expected usage to ensure our customers enjoy a similar experience. Our aim is to create a seamless migration to the new alternatives.”

The new packages are powered Etisalat’s latest mobile broadband technologies – 3.5G Using the Etisalat packages, customers will now be able to download data at up to 21Mbps depending on the customer’s handset.

For further information, please visit www.etisalat.ae/blackberry.

Abdulla Hashim

Offers the ultimate mobile IP solution for businesses, accessible from ANY mobile device, to make ‘Anytime Anywhere Business’ a reality

Provides significant savings through initial 3 Months rental waiver on 100 MB, 1 GB, 5GB and 10GB Mobile Business Data Package

Dubai, July 27th 2010: In its commitment to make mobility a reliable, simple and affordable choice for all businesses in the UAE, Etisalat today announced significant savings on its mobile business data package. Beginning July 26th till August 25th businesses subscribing to Etisalat’s 100MB, 1GB, 5GB and 10GB Mobile Business Data packages, can benefit from an initial three months rental waiver, getting consolidated savings of up to AED 1185, per connection.

Etisalat’s Mobile Business Data Service is a flexible mobile IP service that enables businesses to operate anytime, anywhere, on the move. The Mobile Business Data service allows a corporate user to access the Internet and the corporate intranet, through any mobile device (which is enabled by GPRS, EDGE, 3G or 3.5 G), providing a secure, efficient and cost effective solution. Built on Etisalat’s 3.5G network, the service provides wireless IP communication speeds of up to 7.2Mbps to effectively access a variety of critical business centric applications.

The service allows businesses to function through a secure and dedicated mobile IP network to access their corporate information, such as corporate email, Lotus Notes, and Intranet. The service also provides access to a variety of industry specific business applications such as:
• ATMs / Kiosks / Vending Machines
• SCADA System
• Automated Meter Reading
• Fleet Management & Vehicle Tracking
• Intranet and Internet Access (through Wireless Routers, PC Cards, USB, PCMCIA)
• Point of Sale Solutions
• Security, Alarms & Surveillance Systems
• Parking Terminals
Commenting on the service, Abdulla Hashim, Senior Vice President, Business Solutions at Etisalat said:  “In today’s dynamic environment, accessing information on the move is a critical competitive differentiator for businesses. Etisalat’s latest offer for Mobile Business Data package will not only empower businesses with instant access to information but also provide a secure IP communication channel through a world class mobile broadband service. Etisalat’s Mobile Business Data service is a secure, highly scalable and a cost efficient solution for businesses looking for anytime, anywhere, business connectivity. ”

Etisalat’s Mobile Business Data promotion is valid for ‘Per SIM’ package, for businesses subscribing to the service for one year. Per SIM package provides businesses with the option to link any number of SIM cards to the corporate account, where each SIM card has its own dedicated data access capacity and billing.

For more details, customers can call 8005800 or contact their respective account managers.

• Signs one year strategic partnership, launches new season during the Holy Month of Ramadan

Abu Dhabi, 26 July 2010: Etisalat today announced its official sponsorship of Shaabiyat Al Cartoon, an animated Arabic cartoon series which will premiere its fifth season on Sama Dubai TV in the Holy month of Ramadan. The announcement was made at a signing ceremony between Etisalat and Fanar Production, the company responsible for producing the series. The announcement marks Etisalat’s one-year strategic partnership with Shaabiyat Al Cartoon.

A new season of Shaabiyat Al Cartoon is launched on Sama Dubai TV each Ramadan, with a new 15-minute episode aired every day after iftar. ““Etisalat has always supported initiatives that highlight the best of Emirati culture and continues to encourage such creative platforms reaching out to the youth of this nation. Shaabiyat Al Cartoon is a wonderful showcase of our social lives  and cultural values ; and we hope audiences enjoy the opportunity to connect with their favourite characters in a new season once again this year, starting in the Holy month of Ramadan,” said Khalifa Al Shamsi, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Etisalat.
 
Through this sponsorship, we are also delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate the spirit of Ramadan and help spread awareness about Emirati culture, traditions and lifestyle across the multi-cultural population living in the UAE,” he added.

According to Haidar Mohamed, Co-Founder and General Manager, Fanar Production, “We are very happy to announce this partnership with Etisalat. Etisalat has been supporting us over the years and this relationship has now become stronger with the sponsorship of Shaabiyat Al Cartoon for the entire year. We look forward to reaching a bigger audience and satisfying our loyal fans with the active support of Etisalat.”

Etisalat adds to the excitement by giving fans the chance to download Shaabiyat Al Cartoon anytime, now available on Etisalat’s Greetune service at www.etisalat.ae/portal/Greetune. Customers can subscribe to receive Shaabiyat Al Cartoon videos, ringtones and wallpapers by sending SMS ‘SHA3BIA’ to 1110, subscription charged at AED 5 per week.

In addition, Etisalat will introduce a specially developed micro-site under ‘Etisalat Mobile Portal’ that is dedicated to Shaabiyat Al Cartoon. The portal will allow customers to enjoy various ringtones and wallpapers of the cartoon. Customers can simply visit http://mobile.weyak.ae from their mobile devices to download any content.

Shaabiyat Al Cartoon is based on a group of Middle Eastern families and individuals living in Dubai and portrays their lives and traditions in a very humorous and engaging way. Comprising of 24 unique characters from local and Middle Eastern origin, each with their own unique accent and habits, the cartoon has attracted an increasingly loyal fan following across the Middle East.

The most popular characters are Shambee, Afari, Atooga and Bo Mhayeer who can be seen in each episode. Conceived by Haider Mohammed, the series has also gained international recognition and there are plans to put the animation in English subtitles for a global audience to enjoy Middle Eastern and Emirati culture while gaining a better understanding of the same.

VP-Mktng Comm receives Superbrands Award

Dubai, 21 July 2010: Etisalat was awarded ‘Superbrand’ status in the UAE, at the Superbrands’ tribute event that was held yesterday (Tuesday) at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City to honour the UAE’s strongest brands. The award demonstrates Etisalat’s distinct set of brand values characterized by a strong focus on innovation, reliability, value, customer-centricity and the firm commitment to breaking new ground in the Middle East, North Africa and beyond.

Commenting on the award, Haitham Al Kharusi, Vice President of Marketing Communications said, “Superbrands awards the UAE’s top brands and we are glad to receive this honour in recognition of Etisalat’s core brand values and achievements in the UAE for over three decades, as a reliable and trusted partner to consumers and business, offering benefits of convenience, coverage and value till date.”

Al Kharusi added, “Etisalat has been a fabric of society since the 1970’s. It is a brand that listens to and communicates with its customers in a clear, direct way with utmost importance to honesty, fairness and transparency, while also welcoming their valuable feedback and suggestions every step of the way.”

As  a brand to reckon with, the company  has made the UAE one of the most connected nations, with 7.8 million mobile customers on its network, 1.28 million subscribers to the fixed line network and 1.39 million Internet users. The penetration of mobile phones service in the UAE has now exceeded the 200 percent mark, the highest in the region, and comparable to the highest in the world.

Etisalat has invested over AED 5 billion to build the first revolutionary fiber-optic network in the UAE, enabling a whole new entertainment and communication experience for its consumers through its eLife services and offers.

The company’s mobile users enjoy the region’s fastest broadband speeds over its extensive 3G network and a range of services and applications such as GPRS, HSPA+, Blackberry and others. It is also the first UAE operator to launch both, the revolutionary iPhone 3G and 3GS in 2009, as it did for BlackBerry services in 2006. The Internet and broadband reach in the UAE is yet another significant achievement compared to the regional and international averages.

Etisalat has also created strong global associations through a prudent investment  strategy and acquisitions in emerging markets such as Sri lanka, India, Nigeria and Afghanistan.

Ranked among the Fortune Global 500, Etisalat operates in 18 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa, servicing over 107 million customers out of a total population of approximately 2 billion people.

Offers inaugural discounts with free installation and two months rental waiver

Abdulla Hashim

Dubai, July 20th, 2010: In its constant endeavor to enhance productivity and efficiency for businesses, Etisalat today launched its Managed Remote Access service that provides remote connectivity for end-users with easy and secured access to the corporate Local Area Network (LAN) from any Internet connection anywhere in the world in the form of a managed service. The service is ideal for remote users who need to retrieve email and access corporate resources and applications or for executives who need to use web-based Intranet applications from public or personal computers.

Etisalat also announced a launch offer for businesses that want to achieve work-hour flexibility and enhanced productivity. Beginning today, until 6th October 2010, Etisalat will offer its Managed Remote Access service with free installation and two months rental waiver.

Based on the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology, the service is ideal for remote access because an SSL VPN only requires Internet access through a standard browser and a corporate username and password for full authorised access to any resources on a corporate LAN.

“With 24×7 availability catching prominence globally, remote access has become a key driver to enhance productivity. Through secure remote access, organisations can not only provide desired flexibility to their employees, but also empower them to work towards achieving targeted business goals. Etisalat’s Managed Remote Access service provides a perfect fit for companies looking to provide the right balance of access control, security and overall user acceptance,” said Abdulla Hashim, Senior Vice President, Business Solutions, Etisalat. “With this new service, we will enable companies to easily and securely extend their corporate environments in a flexible manner to all types of users without the support issues and expenses of investing in their own infrastructure.”

The service can be used with any kind of Internet connection, be it a Wi-Fi, mobile broadband, fixed broadband or a corporate LAN. It is very simple to set up and can be fully integrated into a company’s network environment with monitoring and reporting. For growing businesses, the service is ideal for remote access because of its scalable nature with the added benefit of no major capital investment. The service also features internationally accepted industry security standards to safeguard user data.

Etisalat will offer four levels of subscription based on slabs of registered remote users to satisfy different market requirements and starts with five (minimum) registered users.

Globally, SSL VPNs are becoming a popular alternative to provide remote access in customer environments. Granular access control is one of SSL VPN’s most compelling characteristics. SSL VPNs can custom-tailor a remote worker’s access to individual applications and corporate resources. Different access rights can also be granted to different end-users and companies can limit what users have access, all of which makes it easier for companies to comply with corporate security policies.

For more information, customers can call their Etisalat Account Manager or visit the Etisalat website on www.etisalat.ae.

Wasel 99fils

Abu Dhabi, 19 July 2010: Etisalat announced today a new promotion for its Wasel prepaid mobile customers offering them great value through a heavily discounted rate of 99 fils per minute for calling the South Asian subcontinent. Wasel customers can fully enjoy the great value while calling their friends and families in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal during specially extended off-peak hours from 5pm to 9am, Saturday to Thursday and throughout the day, on Friday.

The promotion runs all through the summer and is valid till 19 September 2010, giving Wasel prepaid customers the chance to enjoy over 60% discount on international calls made during the additional off-peak hours. To take advantage of the attractive 99 fils promotion, Wasel prepaid customers simply need to send SMS ‘e 99’ to 1010 in order to subscribe to the service with no monthly charges. All other national and international calls will not be affected and will be charged at the normal rate.

Commenting on the special summer promotion, Khalifa Al Shamsi, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Etisalat said, “At Etisalat, we are constantly working towards creating propositions that make mobile connectivity more affordable and convenient for customers in the UAE. This promotion provides tremendous value to our Wasel prepaid customers, enabling them to take advantage of these attractive rates on Etisalat’s high-quality network that covers the entire nation.”

Al Shamsi added, “Our valued customers can now call their families at more convenient hours of the day, not worrying about the time differences between UAE and South Asian countries. At the same time, it gives them the flexibility and peace of mind from knowing that they can talk for longer and at more affordable rates.”
 
Wasel prepaid customers who are interested in opting for affordable international calling rates to all global destinations, outside of the sub-continent, can do so by subscribing to Etisalat’s Super Off-Peak plan and enjoy a discount of an extra 60% on international calls made during the Super Off-Peak hours from 11pm -7am.

For more information on Wasel offers, customers can call 800 PROMO (77666) or visit www.etisalat.ae/idd.

- Signs Strategic Alliance With Rubicon Group Holding -

Essa Al Haddad, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat

Abu Dhabi, 14 July 2010 – Etisalat will shortly provide educational and entertainment (edutainment) services across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Sudan following the signing of a partnership agreement with Rubicon Group Holding. Rubicon Group Holding is a digital production company who will create new educational and interactive content for Etisalat’s customers.

As a result of the joint venture, Etisalat’s customers will be able to enjoy exclusive games, cartoons and applications that they can download via their mobile, on TV or through the Internet.

The brand new content created and managed by Rubicon Group Holding, will be designed to aid learning and educate younger customers in an entertaining format, a concept known as edutainment. The first services will be presented before the end of 2010. It will be initially produced in Arabic and English and, following the commercial launch in the UAE will be expanded to Etisalat’s sister companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Sudan. In order to reach a broad audience the content will also be translated into French, Urdu and Hindi.

The deal is the first-of-its-kind in the region and is part of Etisalat’s growing commitment to educational, entertaining and immersive media content. As a part of the agreement the two companies will create a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in Abu Dhabi.

Training games and simulations are proven to help increase skills and improve knowledge retention in children. Parents are eager to expose their children to richer learning experiences and take every possible opportunity for improving their child’s educational development. This partnership will allow Etisalat’s customers to provide their children educational experiences while they play – using either mobile, TV or a PC.

Commenting on the partnership, Essa Al Haddad, Group Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat said: “The idea that learning can be fun, and that fun activities can promote learning, has spawned a new world of services - edutainment. This will be the first time an operator provides such a comprehensive suite of edutainment services and content, and we are delighted that Etisalat’s customers across the Middle East, Asia and Africa will be the first to enjoy them.”

Outlining the nature of the deal, Randa Ayoubi, CEO of Rubicon Group Holding said: “We believe education should not be confined to the classroom and together with Etisalat, we will create content that makes learning interactive, convenient and most importantly – fun. Our edutainment service will adhere to international standards and enhance the curriculums of the respective countries by offering an engaging learning experience. In this respect, it is a unique initiative for the region and testament to Etisalat and its commitment to e-education.”

Abu Dhabi, 12 July 2010: Etisalat today announced a bonanza for its customers through its More rewards programme by launching its latest initiative- “More Mondays”. Etisalat’s More members will now receive special discounts, free gifts, services and other privileges when they shop with the programme’s participating partners on Mondays. All they have to do is present their cards at the time of shopping or purchasing their service and avail of the ‘More Mondays’ benefits.

The innovative concept has been introduced to exclusively provide all More members with a diverse array of exciting rewards by partners and famous lifestyle brands such as Joy Alukkas, Al Jaber Optical Centre, Wafi F&B and many more.

Commenting on this new initiative, Haitham Al Kharusi, Vice President of Marketing Communications & Loyalty at Etisalat said “Etisalat is committed to launching interesting and innovative ways to ensure that customers get maximum value out of every dirham they spend. The More rewards programme is becoming popular for the unique rewards and offers from our extensive line-up of brand partners. ‘More Mondays’, the latest addition will give our customers even more in terms of value through exclusive offers and special discounts on one specific day of the week over and above the premium rewards that are on offer all year round. We have created Mondays as a day for our valued customers to associate with More to avail the latest offers with our partners.”

For further information, customers can visit http://www.moremondays.net. They can also SMS “MONDAY” to 1010 to get details on offers every week.

The Etisalat More rewards programme enables Wasel prepaid and GSM postpaid customers to earn reward points for every 1 AED spent. Customers can then redeem these points through purchases with either Etisalat or from its 52 brand partners including: UAE Exchange; Debenhams; Starbucks; H&M; Next; Paris Gallery; Dubai Dolphinarium; Joy Alukkas; Magrudy’s; Life Healthcare; Rotana and Hyatt.

Customers who register online for the Etisalat More rewards program at www.etisalat.ae/more, will get 1200 bonus ‘More’ reward points.