Telephone Information (ETISALAT)

Phone calls

 

Local calls within the UAE are free. International are more expensive to certain countries  India and Sri Lanka for example, but cheaper to Europe the USA and Australia/NZ ( see below)

Skype is banned by Etisalat ( local telecom provider) " for cultural reasons", which they never will disclose. People are complaining in the newspapers against this at the moment,  but it is getting nowhere.

Many people use MS Messenger etc to contact home using PC to PC, rather than PC to Phone.

Telecommunications in Dubai are excellent and have international direct dialling to all countries in the world. Full telex, fax, SMS and electronic mail facilities are also widely available.

ETISALAT (Emirates Telecommunication Services) is open from 8 am-8pm, Sunday to  Thursday. These may be subject to change. There are also 24 hours automatic bill payment facilities at some ETISALAT offices and banks. You can also pay phone bills through the internet

 

Below are a sample of the ETISALAT international phone call rates    . Normal refers to peak hours. Cheap refers to off peak hours, rates are per minute. Charges for mobile calls made within the UAE  are 0.30 fils (100 fils to a Dirham) per minute during peak hours. Before 0900 and after 2100 and also from 1400 -1600 are "cheap" daily. Public Holidays and Fridays are the same, all other times are "normal".

 

A new provider "Du" started in March 2007and we are all waiting to see the affects of some competition on the rates

.

  Normal  Cheap
     
Australia    
  Dh2.69 Dh1.91
Egypt     
  Dh2.69 Dh1.91
France    
  Dh2.12 Dh1.37
Germany     
  Dh2.12 Dh1.37
India    
  Dh3.21 Dh2.47
Lebanon     
  Dh2.69  Dh1.91
Pakistan    
  Dh2.69 Dh1.91
South Africa    
  Dh2.69 Dh1.91
Sri Lanka    
  Dh3.21 Dh2.47
UK    
  Dh2.69 Dh1.91
U.S.(Mainland)    
  Dh2.12 Dh1.37
     
     
Source: Etisalat     

Applying for a telephone

 

 It may take anything from 30 minutes to 2 hours to process your application. The  line will normally be hooked up within a day or two. The international line is connected usually the day after the local line is hooked up BUT you must be a resident, so it takes a couple of weeks to be in a position to get a phone. The alternative for new DWC staff is the  New staff mobile phone plan

 

Documents Required

Requirements for Land Line

o    Letter from college

o    Copy of lease agreement
o    Copy of passport
o    Application form   
o    New installation : Dhs 250/-
o    Addl. Line Dhs 150/-
o    Transfer of line Dh 100/- (from one area to another)
o    Internal transfer Dh 50/-
o    Rent per quarter Dh 20.00
 
You can also obtain 'star services' by dialling 182 (free connection - quarterly rental Dh 30/-). 
 
ADSL
o    Letter from college
o    Copy of lease agreement
o    Copy of passport

o    Installation    Dh 200.00

o    Modem           Dh 275.00
o    Monthly Rent Dh 250.00
 
Internet Dial-up connection
o    Letter from college
o    Copy of passport
o    Installation Dh 100/- (Free connection upto 11th Sept.)
o    Monthly rental Dh 20/- + usage
Rates
o    Peak hours :Dh. 1.80/- per hour
o    Off peak :  Dh. 1.00/-  (off peak hours are from 1:00 am to 6:00 am)
 
Etisalat Calling Card (ECC) can be obtained on request (free of charge).  ECC allows you to make international calls from any line using this card but your calls will be charged to the telephone number at home.  This is beneficial,  if you need to make an urgent call while you are in the college.

 

 

The documents referred to in the points  above for HCT staff can be obtained through the Finance and Administration department.  

Procedure

Go to the 'SURVEY' counter to get your 'survey number' (the Etisalat identification for your building location) written on your application form at the main ETISALAT office in Deira. Make sure you have a phone number of someone else in your building to speed things along.

You will then be directed to the application counter where a clerk will take the details and assign you a phone number. You then pay the Dhs250 at the Cashier's desk. You will be given a receipt that includes your new telephone number. Please make sure you keep this receipt for future reference.

NB: Make sure that you are able to provide access to your apartment/villa via friends, or the watchman, to install the connection.

 

SMS

All mobiles in the UAE have the SMS facility

To Transfer a Telephone line

 

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

 

   1.Your most recent telephone bill.

   2.Completed transfer form in English (available at ETISALAT)

   3.Passport copy and NEW lease copy

   4.No-Objection letter from your sponsor in Arabic and English .

 

Procedure

 

     1. Retain your original phone.

 

     2. Go to ETISALAT and pay your phone bill and obtain a receipt.

 

     3. Present all paperwork (including receipt) at the application counter.

 

It takes about three days before the new line is installed. You may get the same number if you are in the same exchange area.

 

Cancellation of a Telephone line

The procedure for this has just been changed as at Wednesday March 07, 2007 see Tony in the Finance department

 

 

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This page was last updated by Leigh Butler on March 07, 2007