Sunday, Jun 21, 2009
Gulf News
Dubai: etisalat, the iPhone operator in UAE, is offering free software upgrade of the new iPhone 3G OS 3.0 to its existing subscribers.
The new software includes over 100 new features available to iPhone users and can be downloaded through the Apple's iTunes website.
In February 2009, etisalat launched Apple's iPhone in the UAE and Saudi Arabia through its partnership with Mobily, making etisalat the third operator in the Middle East, after Vodafone in Egypt and Orange in Jordan.
"etisalat has always endeavoured to provide the best and the latest technology to its customers, at the earliest. With the latest OS 3.0 upgrade launch, our iPhone customers can immensely benefit by upgrading their iPhones with these new revolutionary features like Arabic language support and multiple other customer friendly applications. We hope that the new software will enhance our customers' iPhone experience multifold," said Essa Al Haddad, Chief Marketing Officer, etisalat.
The most striking feature for the UAE customers is the inclusion of Arabic language support. Moreover, search capabilities will be expanded, allowing customers to search within Mail, iPod and Notes or search across all key apps by typing a key word or phrase into the new Spotlight search, conveniently accessed from the home screen. Customers will also be able to play peer-to-peer games for iPhone and iPod touch by using Bluetooth.
"We would expect etisalat to reduce rates on the iPhone packages during the course of the year. Etisalat should benefit from reduced churn, attract new high Average revenue per users and increased data revenues.
The current batch of iPhones is not locked to etisalat's network, although etisalat has indicated this will change with the next shipment," Irfan Ellam, vice president, equity research, Al Mal Capitral, said.
He said, quoting a Zawya report, there are currently more than 20,000 iPhones in the UAE and etisalat is hoping that as much as five per cent of the population will own an iPhone implying over 250,000 official iPhone subscribers. This, we believe, may be optimistic in the short term especially given the choice of smartphones available from other handset manufacturers and reduction in population.
"Whilst usage patterns may differ in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the figures suggest the launch of the iPhone should provide a boost to data revenues in 2009, which stood at 11 per cent of etisalat revenues and 13 per cent of UAE revenues in 2008. We believe data revenues on the iPhone will be boosted by access to Apple's App Store which has over 25,000 applications available for download," Irfan said.
By Naushad K. Cherrayil, Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
