Etisalat provides automatic 3.5G upgrade

UAE incumbent and former monopoly cellco Etisalat has announced the introduction of a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) package that will allow customers access to its 3.5G network without having to pay line rental or registration fees. All subscribers currently using 3.5G/3G enabled handsets have automatically been upgraded to the PAYG option. Etisalat now claims over 850,000 3G customers, and has a 3.5G HSDPA (high speed download packet access) network covering ‘over 90% of the populated areas of the UAE. The cellco launched 3G services in December 2003, following that up with the introduction of 3.5G HSDPA services in December 2005.