Complaints about prices and the level of service from telecommunications companies are nothing new, nor are they restricted to this country. It seems that we all have a love-hate relationship with the companies that provide the services – specifically home broadband and mobile internet – that have become essential to our lives. While we can download a television show in a minute, it can take substantially longer to access customer service.
As The National reported yesterday, some customers of Etisalat and du are objecting to the lack of choice available from these telecoms providers, and say they are being forced to pay for services they do not use. Specifically, they are complaining about having to pay for the bundling of television and landline telephone services that they don't want with their broadband connections. Some customers said they were told they could not have broadband internet on its own, and some were told they would have to visit the provider's head office if they wanted to switch to a broadband-only package. Others were told that an internet-and-phone service could be provided, but only at a lower broadband speed than they required. This has been particularly frustrating for customers who know that a variety of options are available elsewhere in the world – and often at a lower cost.
Etisalat and du are, of course, a duopoly. When it comes to television and home-internet connections, they serve different areas, meaning that they are, in effect, monopolies. This situation will change, with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority indicating that a new infrastructure-sharing agreement will enable competition at retail level. However, while there are just two players in any market, they only have to match each other's prices, products and service. It takes the entry of at least one more company to ensure vigorous competition and more choice for customers.
While such competition is unlikely in the near future, Etisalat and du still must pay attention to the public mood and offer products that are affordable and fit for purpose. History has shown that if any company builds up too much ill-will over time, customers will shift to competitors as soon as they get the chance.
Company%20Profile
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Match info
What: Fifa Club World Cup play-off
Who: Al Ain v Team Wellington
Where: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
When: Wednesday, kick off 7.30pm
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Company%20Profile
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No%20Windmills%20in%20Basra
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The%20specs
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Company%20profile
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if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km
Price: from Dh547,600
On sale: now
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
RESULTS
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival