LTE services made available to Etisalat subscribers

UAE-based telecoms operator Etisalat has announced the commercial launch of Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband services for its domestic post-paid customers. The 4G compatible E398-LTE USB modem is available for AED799 (USD217) per month and supports download speeds of up to 100Mbps. Subscribers of Etisalat’s ‘My DataPlan Ultra’ package bundle on a six or twelve month contract will receive the modem for free, including a monthly data allowance of 20GB. The package also offers free unlimited internet usage and downloading between 12am and 3am. As reported by CommsUpdate, Etisalat unveiled its Long Term Evolution-Frequency Division Duplex (LTE-FDD) mobile broadband network in September 2011. The 4G network, which is integrated with the operator’s fibre-optic infrastructure, comprises over 700 base stations and is available in around 70% of the UAE’s urban areas. The company said it plans to increase the number of active LTE cell sites to around 1,000 by the end of the year. The LTE-FDD network allows full mobility and transition between LTE and HSPA+.