Du to open 10 retails outlets this year

Du's retail expansion will help it compete for small and medium enterprises, home and mobile consumers. Sarah Dea / The National

The telecoms operator du said yesterday that it plans to roll out 10 new retail outlets this year as it expands it network in the capital.

It has already opened four new stores in Abu Dhabi, including at Deerfields Mall, Mushrif Mall and in Khalidiya.

On Tuesday, its chairman said that a deal on network sharing to allow competition in broadband, TV and landline services would come into effect by the end of the year.

Efforts to liberalise the telecoms sector have been going on since early 2009.

Etisalat and du offer fixed-line phone, broadband and television packages in different districts, with the latter largely confined to Dubai’s newer areas. Network sharing would allow them to compete in the same areas.

"We are not there yet," du's chairman, Ahmad bin Byat, said on Tuesday. "It's just a matter of a couple of months I guess, at the maximum. The agreement is in place. The legality has been sorted out."

Du said last July that network sharing would be introduced by the end of last year, while an Etisalat bond prospectus mentioned the same deadline.

Mr bin Byat on Tuesday blamed the delay on technical issues in making the operators’ networks compatible.

“It took longer than expected,” he said. “What is important for us … is to make sure they [customers] get a better experience than today.”

The retail expansion will help du compete for small and medium enterprises, home and mobile consumers, it said yesterday.

Ahmed Al Khaja, the vice president of direct consumer sales at du, said yesterday that the additional stores would grow its franchise network, which already includes nine outlets in the capital such as those in-shop at Virgin Megastores.

Deals have already been signed with franchise partners for the new shops, he said.

“To better serve the needs of our customers, we have chosen strong franchise partners who we have every confidence in, and who echo our own strong values and dedication to excellence on all fronts,” said Mr Al Khaja.

Follow The National's Business section on Twitter