Payphone: Customers to be charged by the second

Dubai, 8 April 2009: To facilitate easier communication for passengers in transit at the new Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, du, the UAE's integrated telecom service provider, has announced the availability of a du shop in the arrivals section in addition to payphones at convenient locations throughout the airport. With du payphones, the calls will be charged by the second, which means paying only for actual talk time. 

du offers 2G and 3G mobile coverage in Terminal 3 and the additional presence of du shop and payphones will further facilitate communication needs of customers.

Making the announcement, Farid Faraidooni, EVP Commercial, du, said: "Increasing customer convenience has always been our priority. By ensuring easy access to the du shop and kiosk, we are enabling customers to get connected as soon as they arrive. Our payphones will also enable them to keep in touch with family, friends and colleagues conveniently."

du payphones can be used to make national, international or mobile voice calls. To use a du payphone, customers will need to purchase an AED 30 denomination prepaid card and insert it in the telephone. Prepaid cards are available at duty free shops and at the du shop located at the airport terminal.

The du payphones can also be used to call emergency numbers. There are separate speed dial keys for contacting the Police, ambulance services and information desk. Calls can also be made to access du directory services by dialing the speed dial 'du Directory' on the payphone.

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About du
du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, launched mobile telecommunication services in February 2007 across the UAE, in addition to internet and pay TV services that du provides in some of the free zones of Dubai. Call Select, du's nationwide fixed line services for voice telephony, was launched in July 2007. By the end of 2008, over 3 million people in the UAE chose to become du customers.

Among du's many firsts is its historic Number Booking Campaign for both individuals and business, Pay by the Second billing system, Mobile TV, Mobile Payments, first of its kind 'WoW' recharge card (which offers customers the choice between more credit, more time and now 'more international' recharge option with additional credit on international calls) and Self Care.

For business customers, du business offers include Closed Business User Group and preferred International Destinations. du Broadcast Services division brings scalable media technology platforms and telecommunication solutions to the broadcast community through its world class teleport (Samacom) and Master Control Room (MCR) facilities.

du products and services for consumers and business are available through du's retail network, currently numbering 30 du shops located in strategic locations across the UAE, more than 3000 authorized dealers  Or through du e-shop, accessible at http://www.du.ae/en/where-to-buy/eshop.html. du shops are a one stop shop for mobile service, carrier select and the payment of the service bills.

du is 39.5 percent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 19.75 percent by Mubadala Development Company, 19.5 percent by Emirates Communications & Technology Company LLC and the remaining stake by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades under the name du.

Awards to date

• du presented with an award for Best Middle Eastern Local Currency Deal 2008 by UK's EuroWeek

• du won two prestigious awards at UAE Web Awards 2008. du e-shop portal won the best strategic online portal award in the e-commerce category and du media club website won the bronze award in the media and press category.

• du corporate brand launch campaign awarded a Cristal MENA award in 2008

• du declared 'Best Brand' at Telecoms World Awards Middle East 2007 for innovative branding and outstanding brand success

• Second place in the New Brand Launch category at the GMR Effectiveness in Marketing Awards 2007

• Silver Award for the best website in the ICT category at the UAE Web Awards 2007

• du WoW TV Commercial awarded amongst the best 50 TV commercials in mobile telecom category in the world for 2007 

For further information on du, please contact:
Saugat Chatterjee
Public Relations Manager, Channels Communications
Brand & Communications
du
Mobile: +971 55 9367045
Email: saugat.chatterjee@du.ae

© Press Release 2009