Etisalat chief denies scrapping Al Shamil internet service

by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 23 September 2010

A senior executive of Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) has denied the firm is scrapping its Al Shamil internet service, it was reported Thursday.

Khalifa Al Shamsi, senior vice-president for marketing affairs, told the Arabic daily Emarat Al Youm, cited by Emirates Business 24/7, the firm had been inundated with applications for online services.

“Our e-live bouquets received an overwhelming response from subscribers.” Al Shamsi told the paper.

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“The bouquet of is a new additional option providing higher speeds than those available through the service of Al Shamil. Al Shamil service with speeds such as 256 and 512 kb per second are still available for subscribers.”

He denied reports from some subscribers that Etisalat was refusing to accept new applications for Al Shamil and instead forcing customers to sign up to the more expensive e-live service.

One customer Mayad Fadhel told the paper that when he tried to subscribe to Al Shamil a customer service representative said the service was suspended.

READERS' COMMENTS

Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.

@Expat
Posted by Kumdhar, Sharjah, UAE on Friday 1 October 2010 at 12:36 UAE time

I totally agree with you. You are absolutely correct. Customer is NOT the KING here in the Middle East.

e-life
Posted by Fadi, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 30 September 2010 at 23:27 UAE time

I agree with most of the comments. I'm actually convinced that similar problems will continue to appear in the future and that Etisalat has nothing to worry about as long as the market is being monopolized by them (of course du & Etisalat are one company).. As long as there is no real competition between telecom companies in the UAE the customer will always pay the heavy price... I believe Etisalat must be banned and forbidden from entering and operating within other markets like Egypt for example unless the UAE opens its market for fair competition and allow other service providers to enter the UAE market!!! I believe that we are being taken for granted since we have no choice.. It is very sad and unjust, I love the UAE and I hope to see it march forward not backward, because competition means more choices, better services, innovation, development and eventually higher client satisfaction for both locals and expats, competition means more love and respect for the UAE and its leadership, it means a healthier community, better country ratings globally, better tourism and economy.
I hope someone with authority reads my comment and takes action.
God bless the UAE

E-life or nothing!
Posted by ND, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 30 September 2010 at 10:27 UAE time

I moved to another building in Dubai, Etisalat told me that Shamil was no longer available for new subscription, and that my only option was e-life (much more expensive)

E-life or nothing!
Posted by ND, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 30 September 2010 at 10:10 UAE time

I have recently moved to a building on Sheikh Zayed Road, I wanted to keep my Shamil subscription but Etisalat said that they could only offer E-life (of course much more expensive!), and that they are not offering Al Shamil anymore, which they said will stay available to existing subscribers only.

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