Etisalat signs first 3G Roaming agreement

The agreement was signed between Etisalat and Smart Tone, a Hong Kong based mobile operator. Customers of Etisalat and Smart Tone can roam in each others networks, and use all the features available on the 3G networks, including video calling and conferencing.

Mohammed Al Fahim, Executive Vice President- Marketing, Etisalat, said: "This 3G roaming agreement is the first in a series that we will be signing and now our customers in UAE can make video calls even when roaming in Hong Kong. We are just embarking on allowing our 3G 'Mubashir' customers to continue to enjoy their unique benefits even when traveling. We are pleased that we can provide our hi-tech customers with more features and benefits."

This agreement will allow customers of Etisalat and Smart Tone to continue to use video calling and conferencing, and access high-speed Internet from their mobile phones even when they are traveling in each other's countries. Etisalat's roaming 'Mubashir' customers would need to do a manual search for operators when in Hong Kong and select Smart Tone so that they can use their 3G network.

10 other 3G roaming agreements are scheduled to be signed by the end of 2005. These include 3G operators in UK, Italy, Singapore, France, Slovenia, Bahrain, Portugal, Poland, Austria, and a second operator in Hong Kong.

Etisalat was the first operator in the region to launch the 3G mobile service, and also one of the early operators in the world. Since then, Etisalat's 'Mubashir' service has seen interest from the mobile users, and the Corporation has participated in many international events and seminars related to 3G. Numerous other telecom operators have relied on Etisalat's experiences and learning.