Etisalat launches 3G iPhone in UAE and Saudi Arabia

Etisalat announced today that the 3G iPhone is now available from its outlets and selected retail venues across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with both the 8GB and 16GB models available. The operator will offer the devices in tandem with four different tariff plans for each model on 12 month contracts.

The extremely popular 3G mobile device allows users to download email attachments and view web pages, includes built-in GPS, and runs iPhone 2.2 software, which includes support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync. Users are also able to run thousands of third party applications on offer through the Apple App Store.

Postpaid plan 1 for the 8GB model will cost AED2,646 (US$720) for the device and AED199 a month rental, and includes 500MB data, 125 national voice minutes and 125 national SMS per month. In comparison, postpaid plan 4 for the 16GB model will cost AED375 for the device and AED643 for monthly rental, and includes 2GB data, 500 national voice minutes and 300 national SMS per month.

Etisalat’s 3G mobile broadband network offers download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps and upload speeds of 1.9 Mbps, with coverage of 99 per cent of the populated areas in the UAE.

“iPhone is a perfect blend of advanced functionality and high performance and we are delighted to be one of the first operators in the region to offer this to our customers on the nation’s most advanced high speed network,” stated Essa Al Haddad, Etisalat chief marketing officer.