Mobile users can switch providers from March

Mobile phone subscribers in the UAE will be able to switch between telecom providers etisalat and du without having to change their phone numbers.

The number portability system will come into effect from March.

Mohammed Al Ghanim, TRA Director-General, told reporters on the sidelines of the two-day Innovation Forum that the move would boost competition as both service providers would offer promotions to keep their subscribers.He expected both operators to be ready for the new system by the end of the month, after which the authority would test the service before rolling it out.

Dubai-based investment bank Al Mal Securities, said mobile subscribers grew by 10,000, to 7.81 million in the last quarter of 2010, against the estimated net addition of 30,000. "We believe that the UAE mobile voice market is nearing full penetration and in the absence of special promotional offers, both operators will find it difficult to add mobile subscribers in the numbers they historically have done. Both operators will need to start stimulating usage rather than headline subscriber growth."

Al Ghanim, however, ruled out issuing a third UAE telephone licence,

saying the market ''cannot take it''.

About the much delayed infrastructure sharing between du and etisalat, he said it would hopefully happen in 2011, as both companies were working hard to solve technical issues.

The move will allow du to use the existing telecom infrastructure owned and operated by etisalat to offer its services.

"UAE fixed line subscribers declined by 30,000 to 1.25 million or 4.6 per cent year-on-year, as fixed mobile substitution continues apace," Al Mal Securities said.

"Over the next five years, we will focus mainly on broadband because this reflects the national telecoms policy," said Al Ghanim.

Khaleejtimes, 25 January 2011