High Value Mobility against Suspension of Blackberry

Etisalat Launches High Value Mobility Packages in Response to BlackBerry Suspension
Tags: BlackBerry,High Value Mobility, New Mobiles Package, alternative packages,

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 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.

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

BlackBerry- New and Alternatives for You: Compare Prices

BlackBerry Alternative Packages
Tags: BlackBerry, Etisalat, SmartPhone, Rates, Add on 1, Add on 2, Bundle, BES Global Unlimited,
Attractive Offers for existing Blackberry customers in light of the recent TRA announcement
Etisalat is pleased to announce Replacement packages for the existing Blackberry customers in light of the TRA announcement of the suspension of the service by the 11th of October, 2010.The Replacement packages offer consists of
 Bundled SMS, MMS
 Bundled data usage
 Bundled Voice minutes to choose from
 Alternative Smartphones
All those Blackberry customers who subscribed to the Blackberry services on or before 31 Jul 10, will be provided with the below base package as default.
Besides, add-on packages are also available:
• Add on 1 where Etisalat will provide a free Smartphone for customers signing in on 12 month contract
• Add on 2 where Etisalat will provide free monthly minutes to customers without yearly commitment and without free Smartphone



Existing Service Current monthly rental (AED) Base package
Monthly rental SMS & MMS local SMS & MMS intl Data Package Free Roaming Data MB Out of Band Charges
BES Unlimited Global 295 260 800 200 Unlimited 10 NA
BES Unlimited Domestic 185 185 900 100 Unlimited NA NA
BES Domestic Limited 90 90 1000 0 100 MB NA 15 AED/MB
BIS Unlimited Global 295 260 800 200 Unlimited 10 NA
BIS Unlimited Domestic 185 185 900 100 Unlimited NA NA
BIS Domestic Limited 90 90 1000 0 100 MB NA 15 AED/MB
BIS Email plus 139 139 900 100 100 MB NA 15 AED/MB
BIS Unlimited Social 49 49 900 100 100 MB NA 15 AED/MB




Service Type Only available with base package
Existing Service Add on 1 on 12 months contract Add on 2 on 12 months contract Value of Free Device apprx (AED) Free Local Minutes per month
BES Unlimited Global 2,000 550
BES Unlimited Domestic 1,500 350
BES Domestic Limited 550 150
BIS Unlimited Global 2,000 550
BIS Unlimited Domestic 1,500 350
BIS Domestic Limited 550 150
BIS Email plus 550 150
BIS Unlimited Social 550 150

Upgrade on Add on 1 for customers willing to pay the difference in value of the device
Package (From) Value of handset offered on 12 months Contract in AED Difference to pay for higher value handset offered with below packages in AED (To)
Unlimited Social Package Unlimited Email Plus Domestic Limited Package Unlimited Domestic Package Unlimited Global Package
Unlimited Global Package 2000 - - - - -
Unlimited Domestic Package 1500 - - - - 500
Domestic Limited Package 550 - - - 950 1450
Email Plus 550 - - - 950 1450
Unlimited Social Package 550 - - - 950 1450

Smartphone Device offered free on with Add on Package 1
1 Nokia E72
2 Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Pro
3 Sony Ericsson X10 Mini
4 Nokia E66
5 Sony Ericsson Vivaz
6 Nokia N900
7 Nokia N 97
8 Sony Ericsson Vivaz pro
9 Sony Ericsson Satio
10 Samsung Wave
11 Samsung Galaxy S
12 iPhone

Terms and Conditions of the Offer
1. Offer available only for Blackberry subscribers as on 1st August 2010
2. All existing customers would have to be signed up with Etisalat for the period from 1st August to 10th October
3. Offer will not be available for any customer who cancels the service between 1st August to the 10th October
4. Offer not available for any customer who signs for the service between 1st August to 10th October
5. Customers can choose the options as below
a. Base Package
b. Base Package with Addon 1
c. Base Package with Addon 2
6. All free device offered would be based on the package on which the customer signs up for a 12 months contract

Where to subscribe?
Customers signing up for the free device packages would have to visit Etisalat Business Center or Etisalat Outlets
For more information, Please visit the Product net.

Etisalat Invoice Certification and Payment Tracking-go Live

Invoices Certification and Payment Tracking System Go-Live
Tags: Etisalat, Payment Tracking, Invoice certification, Etisalat Higher Management.
1st August 2010: Etisalat Higher Management expects that status of all Invoices to be processed from 1st Aug 2010 should be available in the new system. Hence, all concerned users are hereby requested to use the system starting from Invoice Registration till Payment Release without fail.Etisalat higher Management has always been concerned about Payment delays to Contractors and Vendors that were being reported to them from time to time. To comprehend, analyze and overcome this, Etisalat Higher Management launched an initiative to develop and implement a system that would provide greater visibility and on-line monitoring ability into the Invoice Certification and Payment process.
Central IT in co-ordination with Central Engineering, SCM Dept., HO-Finance & Contracts has designed & developed an “Invoice Certification and Payment Tracking System”, which is scheduled to Go-Live on 1st August 2010.
The above system is designed to track Invoice Certification and Payment Approval process for all kinds of Invoices pertaining to various types of Contracts (SICET 2A, SICET 2B, SICET 3 and others). The new system has been developed to work alongside the existing Oracle ERP applications (with the same look & feel). It will establish the payment approval workflow to monitor and report various stages of invoice processing from Invoice Registration till the release of payment.
The system has the capability to generate the aging reports, as and when required, for higher management showing where delays are occurring in the invoice certification and payment approval process.
It is important to mention that, this online system will be used only for visibility, monitoring and status reporting. It will not have any impact on the current Certification / Payment Process being followed in Etisalat.
This System has been developed as a module of the existing Oracle e-Business Suite Applications. Access has been provided to all the designated end-users effective 1st of Aug 2010 in their existing HR4me / CAPS4me logins. Any additional access requests for new users or changes to the existing access will only be handled through the established procedure of logging a SAR request (all the department secretaries have the authorization to log such requests).

3D TV by Etisalat

Etisalat launches 3D TV service



ABU DHABI -13 June 2010, : The UAE is amongst the first five countries in the world and the first in the Middle East and North Africa to have 3 Dimension (3D) TV. The service was announced recently at a press conference held by Etisalat at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
In the presence of media and representatives, the company launched its service officially for its customers across UAE, making it the first operator in the region to do so.
A recent report from Informa Telecoms and Media, a leading provider of business intelligence to global telecoms and media markets, confirmed UAE’s position in the first 5 countries in the world to launch the 3D TV service for its customers.
The service was launched in France, Belgium and Portugal in May 2010 and in Switzerland earlier this month, positioning UAE as one amongst the world’s most technologically advanced nations. It is also a strong indication of UAE’s network readiness attained through Etisalat ‘s advanced fiber-optic network which is one of the most advanced projects in the UAE and the world, and also one of Etisalat ‘s biggest investment in infrastructure.
Commenting on this the Group COO of Etisalat said, “We are proud to position UAE as one of the first five countries in the world to bring home the 3D technology for its residents and to be the first operator in the region to launch this service to our customers.”
He added that other countries will have the technology they gradually upgrade to the fiber-optic technology. However, being amongst the first few today is what distinguishes Etisalat.
“Becoming the first to launch the 3D TV service in the region is a natural and eminent advantage of this network”, he added.

Mobile Data Business On the Move

“Etisalat Business on the Move” with its Mobile Business Data offering 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.
Mobile Business Data Service
 Access to corporate emails from ANY mobile device
 Internet Browsing
 Ability to synchronize desktop applications including Email, calendar, tasks, and memos
 Access to corporate network
 Customised solutions for industries
 Ability to satisfy all IP connectivity requirements no matter where or how many

 For Details Contact: 4 Mobile Business Data

 Nearest Etisalat Business Offices or
Etisalat-Emirates Telecommunications Corporation
Head Office
Po Box 3838
Abu Dhabi, UAE

BlackBerry Service will get suspended by Etisalat

DUBAI 1 August 2010— Etisalat Du will suspend use of Blackberry –BB services in UAE from 11 October, citing concerns about security risks, and affecting half a million users in the Gulf Arab state who transmitted data.-until an "acceptable solution" is developed and appliedThe UAE objects to Blackberry data being exported offshore and managed by a "foreign, commercial operation." The regulator said Blackberry data services are the only ones operating in that method. The decision will not affect users of rival Nokia and Apple's iPhone smartphones.
"Today's decision is based on the fact that, in their current form, certain Blackberry services allow users to act without any legal accountability, causing judicial, social and national security concerns for the UAE," the TRA said.
Officials at Blackberry manufacturer Research In Motion in Canada were not immediately available for comment.
The suspension of Blackberry Messenger, email and web browsing services comes after attempts dating back to 2007 to bring the service into line with regulations, the TRA said.
The UAE expressed concern last week that the device is open to misuse that poses security risks — a move some took as dissatisfaction with the inability to monitor the popular Blackberry Messenger service.
"The government regards the services offered by BlackBerry, especially its instant messaging, as an obstacle to its goal of reinforcing censorship, filtering and surveillance," Reporters Without Borders said in a statement on July 26.
Proxy server
BlackBerry, which holds around 20 percent of the global smartphone market behind Nokia but ahead of Apple, has an estimated 500,000 users in the UAE.
Blackberry is carried in the UAE by du telecom and Emirates Telecommunications (Etisalat), which said it would find an alternative for its clients.
Last year, RIM said a software upgrade distributed by Etisalat to Blackberry users was in fact "a telecommunications surveillance application."
He said RIM had been asked to set up a proxy server in India to allow the government there to monitor traffic from a security perspective and the same approach might resolve the issue in the UAE and elsewhere.
"Blackberry is seen as essential by many companies, so if you want to attract business to your country it doesn't make much sense to ban these Blackberry services," said one user.
Etisalat, with the lion's share of Blackberry users in the UAE, and du said they will offer alternative services to clients but did not elaborate. Shares in du fell nearly 1 percent on Dubai's main index and Etisalat slipped 0.5 percent in Abu Dhabi .
Bahrain in April warned against the use of Blackberry Messenger software to distribute local news and India raised security concerns with the Canadian company last week.
India's Internal Security Chief U.K. Bansal told reporters that maker RIM had said Indian concerns that militants may use the BlackBerry data services would be resolved soon.
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