Convergence of services this year

Dubai: Etisalat's subscribers will benefit from its new fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) service which, when launched this year, is likely to reduce phone bills, officials said at a conference yesterday.

It will also reduce the UAE telecom firm's expenses by up to 11 per cent.

FMC allows subscribers to use the device both as a land phone and a mobile phone which can also be used outside the country.

It combines the convenience, freedom of movement, and personalised services of the wireless world with the high quality and speed of fixed-line communications.

Some benefits that consumers could look forward to are one handset, one phone number and better quality of calls.

Easy transfer

Etisalat officials said its advanced 25-year-old network could easily carry fixed-mobile convergence services in the UAE, and added that Mobily in Saudi Arabia and Canartel in Sudan could also serve their subscribers.

However, the network in Pakistan needs to be upgraded to introduce this service.

Dr Doaa Fares, general manager of the Etisalat Academy, told Gulf News studies showed that Etisalat and consumers would benefit from the FMC service by reducing the cost of calls by 4 to 11 per cent with the new technology.

"Consumers will pay for one network only during roaming, while the provider can benefit from the expected growth in subscribers. FMC focuses on increasing revenues at the same time reducing expenses," said Fares.

Akif Azmirat, technology training manager of Etisalat Academy, said the firm had converged parts of the main network with the next generation network for fixed lines and third generation mobiles.

Convenience

One handset everywhere

• Consumer uses one handset that works both as a land phone and as a mobile.
• It reduces cost, both for the subscriber and the service provider.
• No deposit for automatic roaming.