Sharing of fixed networks brings more competition to UAE

The UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has confirmed that Etisalat and Du are technically ready to open their fixed-line networks for competition. This means both operators will be able to provide fixed-line, telephone and Internet services, and in the near future television services, everywhere across the UAE, and that customers will be able to select which provider they use in each individual household and business, which was previously not possible.

Etisalat and Du have been negotiating an agreement under the supervision and guidance of the TRA to allow them to provide voice, Internet, data and TV services across each other’s copper and fibre networks.

Director general of the TRA Mohamad Al Ghanim said the parties have now concluded the negotiations on complex technical and operational details of the network sharing arrangements and are currently in the process of undertaking comprehensive testing. As a result, telecom subscribers across the nation should be able to access services from both operators once these are commercially launched in the coming months.

Nasser bin Obood, acting chief executive officer at Etisalat, said the company was looking forward to competing for new customers within the Dubai free zones and new residential areas, which were previously exclusively serviced by Du.

“Etisalat is in the process of completing its fibre-optic network which today covers most UAE households outside of ‘New Dubai’. It has invested more than AED 5 billion (US$1.36 billion) in this project which is the largest fibre-optic deployment in the world today,” bin Obood added.