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Etisalat to cut broadband internet rates by up to 50%; landline rates by 30%

Telecom giant to cut rates on calls to India, Philippines
Indians and Filipinos living in the UAE will be able to enjoy a cut of up to 30 per cent on landline phone calls to their home countries when etisalat enforces the reduction in the second half of this year.

The cuts will include several other countries and are part of plans by the government-controlled Etisalat to expand and modernize services, including the introduction of smart land phones for use at home.

"We are planning to cut rates on telephone calls by between 10 and 30 per cent in the second half of this year," said Majid Al Abbar, deputy chairman for home communications services at etisalat.

"The cuts will affect several countries in the Arab region including Egypt and Jordan...rates on calls to some Asian nations including India and the Philippines will also be reduced....we have noticed the number of international calls to these two Asian countries is very high and this allows Etisalat to embark on such cuts," he told 'Emarat Al Youm' daily.

He revealed plans by etisalat to introduce what he described as the "smart land telephone" before the end of this month, adding the facility would enable subscribers to access internet, including Facebook.

"This phone will also allow users to make video calls as they can be fixed with camera...the introduction of these phones will boost demand for landlines following a steady growth over the past period due to rate cuts," he said, adding that cuts would also affect some internet facilities.

Meanwhile, Rashid Majid Al Abbar, Vice-President, Home Products Marketing, etisalat, said: "During the second half of this year it will reduce rates for local and international calls for subscribers of landlines by up to 30 per cent."

Etisalat will also make discounts on rates of broadband internet by up to 50 per cent for more than 40 per cent of its subscribers and later this year, it was reported.

Etisalat will launch 'smart landlines' by the end of this month. "This will give subscribers internet access - they can use Facebook and even make video calls by installing a camera on it," said Al Abbar.

The rate cuts will include internet subscribers of slow speeds - who represent 40 per cent of total internet subscribers. At rates range between Dh149 and Dh189 per month.

Etisalat has started offering subscribers who wish to have 1Mbit speed a free-of-charge transfer at a monthly cost of Dh189. This will give subscribers twice the speed at the same price, he added.

This will enable subscribers to avail double the speed without a rate increase, together with fixed telephone service, that is equivalent to a 50 per cent reduction in cost, as they will still pay only Dh189. While subscribers who pay Dh149 will pay then Dh40 per month.

Al Abbar said the shift to high-speed connectivity is optional. " Etisalat will never force its subscribers to shift from Shamil to e-Life, he said and added that, however, e-life ensures that internet speed increases 32 times more.

© Emirates 24|7 2012

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