Abu Dhabi // Etisalat customers were frustrated on Tuesday by spasmodic access to the internet.
Users went from being denied access to many websites to suddenly being able to view everything, including those that had previously been blocked.
The disruption began shortly before 11am, when most sites refused to load on computers and phones using landline, Wi-Fi or 4G connections.
The few unaffected websites included social-media pages, and customers quickly started posting their frustrations.
Complaints flooded Facebook and Twitter about the interruption and how it contradicted the claims of great service by Etisalat’s latest advertising campaign, promoted using the hashtag #upgradetoetisalat.
Dozens of customers also contacted @Etislat_Care, the company’s Twitter account.
After more than an hour, Etisalat responded, tweeting: “We apologise for the inconvenience caused.”
A statement released later by Etisalat later said: “A technical glitch in network connectivity partially affected internet access in some areas of the UAE today. Etisalat technical teams were able to rectify the error and restore full connectivity within a short period of time – 40 minutes.”
But shortly after service resumed, customers began complaining they could now access adult and pornographic sites.
Replying to a customer who asked why on Facebook, Etisalat suggested he complete and submit an online form to request blocking.
One customer jokingly claimed this was the telecommunications provider’s Christmas gift to customers.
Rival provider du, whose services were unaffected, said: “Following some reports on internet service disruption in the UAE, we would like to inform our customers that our services are working normally.
“Our customers continue to enjoy seamless mobile and fixed line voice and data services.”
Etisalat’s service disruption comes a week before their customers will have the option of moving to du’s network while keeping their existing mobile number at no extra charge.
tsubaihi@thenational.ae