Etisalat has made an alliance with UAE banks to offer customers chances to pay bills through ATMs, the internet and by phone, a company spokesman said.

"All transactions conducted through banks will be considered as in real-time, and customer accounts will be updated instantly, just as if the payment was done at an Etisalat office.

"The secure channels will also be open to customers during the same hours available for regular transactions," said Salem Al Sharhan, executive vice-president for finance at Etisalat.

Banks such as Dubai Islamic Bank, Citibank, Emirates Bank International Ltd, and Mashreqbank have joined with Etisalat in this venture.