They are fierce rivals but Etisalat and du are preparing to share as they open their networks up to each other in a bid to spur competition in the sector.
They are fierce rivals but Etisalat and du are preparing to share as they open their networks up to each other in a bid to spur competition in the sector.

Etisalat and du test nationwide network sharing



Etisalat and du employees are internally testing the nationwide rollout of telecommunications services intended to spur competition in a market of more than 1.4 million customers.

Last year, both of the country's telecoms operators finalised discussions to gain access to each other's broadband internet and television networks in a move that will break each other's monopoly within their respective territories.

Etisalat has a monopoly on providing internet and cable television services throughout most of the country, while du holds sway over a small area of Dubai that includes newer neighbourhoods such as Dubai Marina and Media City.

Khalifa al Shamsi, the senior vice president of marketing at Etisalat, said that the operator's employees are doing home testing to ensure that its network can be accessed in du's territory.

"The only thing that is happening right now is test users within the companies themselves is doing the testing as far as verification ... and the [various] scenarios to ensure the seemless conversion," Mr al Shamsi said.

However, Mr al Shamsi could not provide an indication when the offerings will be approved by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) and made available throughout the UAE.

"There has been no announcement been done about broadband coming to the areas yet," Mr al Shamsi said.

"The minute we are comfortable with the progress, we will announce the firm date for it."

Last month, Mohamed al Ghanim, the director general of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), said that there was a number of delays behind the main technology behind the application of the Etisalat and du networks.

The technology is called "bitstream" and is installed on software and hardware packages to identify when a subscriber of one operator is using the telecoms service provided by the other.

dgeorgecosh@thenational.ae

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Malcolm & Marie

Directed by: Sam Levinson

Starring: John David Washington and Zendaya

Three stars

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

RESULTS: 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING - EUROPE

Albania 0 Italy 1
Finland 2 Turkey 2
Macedonia 4 Liechtenstein
Iceland 2 Kosovo 0
Israel 0 Spain 1
Moldova 0 Austria 1
Serbia 1 Georgia 0
Ukraine 0 Croatia 2
Wales 0 Ireland 1

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
MATCH INFO

Sheffield United 3

Fleck 19, Mousset 52, McBurnie 90

Manchester United 3

Williams 72, Greenwood 77, Rashford 79

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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The five pillars of Islam