50% off data, calls for UAE senior citizens

UAE senior citizens get bigger data packs and longer call credits for less, thanks to a new "Year of Giving" initiative.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), in cooperation with Etisalat and du, has announced on Wednesday the provision of special data and call packs to UAE seniors.

The move is line with "Masarra Card" initiative, launched by Ministry of Community Development to meet the needs and requirements of senior citizens, in recognition of their exemplary role in the community being advocates of preserving traditions and heritage. 

"Masarra" cardholders will  a range of quality features in terms of prices, speed of service and quality of transaction.

For one, they will receive a 50% discount on Etisalat postpaid and prepaid data packages.

The data packages ranges from 1GB to 100 GB, allowing them to stay in touch with their families and loved ones while keeping up with the digital era.

Moreover, they will have exclusive customer service facilities — such as having priority access to Etisalat Business Centers, prioritised response to their incoming calls to Etisalat Call Centers.

Seniors' their calls will automatically be routed to the express service lines "Emarati Gold" to be answered by full-time and qualified staff to provide prompt and effective attention according to their individual requirements.

Best service, convenience

These facilities will ensure that this age group obtains the best level of service and convenience to complete their transactions and address their inquiries and requests in relation to telecom services as quick as possible.

This initiative will also allow senior citizens to receive ‘du’ discounts of up to 50% of the approved rates for postpaid customers, and 100% additional balance for prepaid customers, which du customers can use in immediate manner.

The range of packages varies in this initiative, including the Smart Pack 150, which includes 6 GB of local data and 300 flexible minutes for internal and external calls at a price of Dh75 instead of Dh150.

Nevertheless, the price of the Smart Pack 1000, which includes 100 GB of local data, and 2500 flexible minutes that allow internal and external calls for Dh500 instead of Dh1,000.

Year of Giving

Commenting on this initiative, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director General, said: "In the Year of Giving launched by our wise leadership, this initiative reflects the social responsibility of both the TRA and telecom service providers in the country."

"It also expresses the partnership and joint efforts to contribute in achieving happiness. We consider this initiative as a simple but meaningful gesture as it concerns the senior citizens whom we respect and appreciate, based on a long tradition of solidarity and consideration to senior citizens," he added.

On the same subject, Sana Mohammad Suhail, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Community Development, said: "The Ministry of Community Development is keen to strengthen the bonds of cooperation and partnership with all government and private entities in the country to enhance the concept of social responsibility in all entities, and contribute effectively in providing the best level of services and facilities, which ensure a better and more comfortable life for all members of community.’

The official praised the initiative of TRA, Etisalat and du to provide services that meet the needs and aspirations of individuals and facilitate their daily lives.

Commitment

Moreover, Engineer Saleh Al Abdooli, CEO of Etisalat Group, said that this initiative is in line with the objectives of the Year of Giving, ensuring that Etisalat is firmly committed to fulfilling its social responsibility towards the citizens, and based on this commitment, Etisalat has always been honored to contribute to initiatives that serve the community and achieve the citizens’ happiness.

He added: "Senior citizens are valued and respected in society. They have acquired a wealth of experience over the decades. 

"They have witnessed the emergence of the Union as well as the country’s path of development, and they contributed to raising young generations that have been the source of UAE proud in various fields. In recognition of their great role, we are honored as a provider of ICT services and solutions, to provide exclusive data packages and facilities that will achieve their happiness and provide them with enhanced customer experience with the highest levels of speed, convenience and priority, and furthermore,  enable them to be part of the  digital community we live in today, allow them to communicate with their families and surroundings and transfer the social and cultural heritage to the youth to build a connected generation that adheres to the roots and traditional values of the UAE civilization."

'Al Abdooli added that Etisalat will keep its consistent approach in effectively contributing to national initiatives aimed at enhancing the development process in society and improving the quality and level of services provided to all individuals.

Collaboration

Osman Sultan, CEO of du, said: ‘The objectives of this generous initiative are fully in line with the ‘Year of Giving initiative, announced by our wise leadership in the UAE."

"As a responsible UAE company that has committed itself since beginning to support all segments of local community, our collaboration today with TRA to launch data and call packages for senior citizens demonstrates our commitment to this inspirational category for all segments of society," Sultan added.

"Through these new packages, senior citizens will be able to increase their knowledge of the benefits of communication services in the era of digital transformation witnessed today," he said.

"Moreover, they will enhance their expertise in communication technologies to stay in touch with their families and loved ones to be able to transfer their tradition and legacy to the future generations. 

"In du, we are keen on enhancing public-private partnerships and we encourage such initiatives for the happiness of the UAE people. We will continue to work with various entities to provide unique services and initiatives that include positive aspects of different segments of society.’