Dubai, 12 April 2009: Offering significant innovation, personalisation and convenience to its customers, du - the UAE's integrated telecom service provider announced today the launch of its 'Elite Plan' for individual mobile users. 'Elite Plan', motto of which is "smart people. Smart choices" , is designed as the smart choice for high-end individuals by offering a choice of special numbers, the benefits of a prepaid account on a postpaid plan and monthly rewards and up to 75% rewards on international calls depending on the monthly volume of international calls.

Elite ambassadors for the new du plan include Indian movie mega star Sharukh Khan, the creator of the region's beloved animated housewives, Freej - Mohammed Saeed Hareb, leading Emirati jewellery designer Azza Al Qubaisi and famous Lebanese TV presenter George Kurdahi. 

In an endeavour to become UAE's preferred brand - du will soon announce its latest collaboration that promises to "Surprise" discerning customers across the country.

Osman Sultan, CEO of du said: "Elite Plan is du's first personalized, postpaid mobile package where choices, benefits and rewards are not the exception but the rule! It is built around the premise that smart people make smart choices, and is in a league of its own by offering all the distinct benefits sought after by discerning individuals. Elite Plan is a unique package that combines a reward plan on international calling, where one can get up to 75% reward on international calls, with the added convenience of having a prepaid account on a postpaid plan. Moreover, it offers a superior choice of personal numbers, monthly rewards and attractive roaming rates; all in one enhanced user experience from du."

What is the *dial feature?

* dial (star dial feature) is a first in the region and a unique feature for du Elite Plan customers. It offers the convenience of a prepaid account on a postpaid plan, which gives the user the opportunity to avail the benefits of a prepaid plan such as the three recharge options with more time, more credit and more international.

For call charges to be deducted from the prepaid account, du customers need to prefix * before entering the number they wish to dial. Calls made using the * dial feature do not reflect in the monthly bill.  

International Roaming

du customers can stay in touch across 5 continents with its extensive International Roaming footprint. Customers can roam with over 360 leading telecom operators spread over 132 countries enjoying a full range of services such as making and receiving calls, sending and receiving SMS, accessing high speed mobile internet, and much more at attractive rates while travelling abroad. Customers roaming within the GCC can enjoy incoming call rates of only AED 1.25 while roaming.

du subscribers can also access mobile internet and Blackberry email service in over 230 mobile networks worldwide. In addition, du has tied up with over 75 network providers in 47 countries to provide 3G (voice and data) roaming services. du customers with 3G phones can access high speed internet and other 3G services while roaming in these networks.

MyFamily

Creating MyFamily from an Elite Plan line enables customers to enjoy its numerous privileges, such as:

• 50% discount on national calls within MyFamily

• Sponsored calls - letting du lines within MyFamily call the family head for free while the family head will be charged for the calls

• Get one bill for all MyFamily members, with the concenience of adding up to 14 UAE mobile numbers (du or non du) to MyFamily. 

Special numbers and monthly commitment:

Whether a new or an existing du customer, customers can choose their very own number with Elite Plan.  These special numbers are free. Customers have to commit to a minimum monthly spending amount according to the preferred number category as indicated below:

If the usage charges are equal to or higher than the minimum monthly commitment amount, customers only pay their total usage charges.

If the usage charges are lower, only monthly committed amount is paid.

The monthly commitment does not cover SMS sent to premium numbers or short codes and calls made while roaming abroad.




For more information on du's Elite Plan, which will be presented in du's new black palette packaging, call the du customer care line on 155 from a du mobile line or 055 5678155 from any other line. To subscribe, visit any one of the over 30 du shops and kiosks around the UAE, one of the over 85 premium dealer outlets, or purchase online by logging on to http://shop.du.ae

Customers will need to present the following to subscribe to the Elite Plan:

UAE Nationals: Passport/National ID/ UAE driving license.

Residents: Passport with a valid residency visa (visa not required for GCC nationals) and one of the following: Utility bill with physical address, tenancy/ ownership documents, or a salary certificate outlining a minimum salary of AED 2,500.

-Ends-

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