Fixed line telephones propelled to a new era with SMS capability

Abu Dhabi, 8th July 2006: Emirates Telecommunications Corporation -etisalat- has announced an innovative service for fixed line telephone users. Now with a specially-enabled telephone set, both business and individual customers can send and receive short messages between other similar telephones and mobile phones, and even send messages to fax machines and email addresses. This is a step towards the convergence of fixed and mobile telephony services.

Announcing the service, Essa Al Haddad, Chief Marketing Officer, etisalat, said: "We are very excited about the possibilities that have been thrown open to all our customers with the launch of this service. The fixed line network has been propelled into a whole new generation with this launch, and soon we will be seeing other innovative launches to boost the range of services offered on fixed lines."

The subscription to this service is automatic for fixed line customers. To be able to send and receive text messages, a Fixed Line SMS enabled telephone set, preferably with dedicated keyboard, is required. This set will enable users to key in the text as in a computer. These telephones are available in the UAE at various vendor outlets, and many models have been type-approved by etisalat's UAELAB. 

To be able to send a text message, 0/00 call barring must be de-activated, and to be able to receive text messages, the telephone set should have the Calling Number Display (CLIP) feature.

One of the key elements of this service is that it is enabled for text-to-speech conversion. This means that users who do not have a special SMS enabled telephone with a screen to display the text can receive the messages as a voice message.

etisalat's fixed line network itself is slated for even greater developments once all users are migrated to the NGN (Next Generation Network). This would open up many opportunities for enhancing the fixed line user experience, including video calls and much more.

-Ends-

Press release issued by Public Relations Department - etisalat

For further media information, please contact:
Ahmed Bin Ali, Manager Corporate Communications
Tel: 02 6182173
Fax: 02 6334448
PRD@etisalat.ae
www.etisalat.ae

© Press Release 2006