Automatic 3.5G upgrade for over 850,000 Etisalat customers

Etisalat has also announced new Mobile Data Packages which have been specifically designed to suit every need. These new packages also provide customers with free access to Etisalat's 3.5G network without having to pay any registration fees.

Etisalat's 3.5G network is the gateway for mobile users to experience third generation mobile technology. With Video Calling, Etisalat customers can see each other live while on a call. Etisalat's 3.5G (HSPA- High Speed Packet Access) network also enables users to reach High Speed Mobile Internet Access of up to 2 Mbps using 3.5G Mobile handsets and data cards, and speed of up to 384 kbps using 3G Mobile handsets and Data Cards.

Essa Al Haddad, Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat, said:

"This service will benefit users whether they use the service for business or personal needs. On the 3.5G network, customers can greatly enhance their access to news, email, contact with others and information access over the Internet. We are sure that this will enable our customers to reach their goals and ambitions."

"To enable our customers to enjoy 3.5G immediately, we have automatically upgraded a large number of our customers, including those who currently use 3.5G/3G enabled handsets to the 'Pay-As-You Go' option. This has taken our total number of 3.5G/3G subscribers to over 850,000, positioning Etisalat alongside international leading operators in terms of 3.5G penetration. These subscribers will be able to enjoy advanced services over Etisalat's 3.5G network, which covers over 90% of the populated areas of the UAE", he added.

Etisalat was the first operator in the region to launch 3G services in December 2003, and the first in the region to launch HSDPA/3.5G services in December 2005.