Al Shamil high speed Internet access over cable network is now available in Sharjah - EIM announces

Etisalat's ISP business unit has taken the move to complement the existing high-speed DSL network, which delivers broadband to the home via the copper telephone infrastructure. The existing cable network, which primarily provides digital television to households, will be leveraged to complement DSL and ensure extensive broadband coverage to households.

Following the successful launch of Al Shamil over cable in Dubai and Abu Dhabi last April, homes in certain areas in Sharjah that currently have access to cable will be able to register to Al Shamil cable at this time.

'We are at a critical stage in the roll-out of broadband Internet,' commented Maroua Naim, General Manager, EIM. 'With around 23,000 subscribers already using the service, it is essential that the network infrastructure is in place for the next phase of growth. We now have extensive coverage for broadband services throughout the country and we are continuously investigating all the technologies available to extend that coverage further.'

'As higher bandwidth applications become available, from video streaming to online learning, we expect the mass market to gradually migrate to the Al Shamil service,' she added.

In terms of user experience and monthly charges, Al Shamil over cable will be identical to the current Al Shamil over DSL package. Customers are offered a range of 'always on' high-speed access options and the package speeds are: 128Kbps, 1Mbps and 2Mbps (Mega bits per second).

Both technologies pose different opportunities that when combined will complement each other and allow EIM to reach significantly more homes.

'Our priority is to get broadband Internet into the home,' added Abdulla Hashim, Senior Manager, Business Development and Sales, EIM. 'To do this we must continuously look at new technologies that allow us to connect the 'last mile' from the edge of the core network, or local loop, to each home throughout the country. Cable is one of those technologies.'

Looking ahead, EIM is also testing a number of other technologies capable of delivering high-speed Internet access to the home.