Etisalat and du asked to sort out differences

Dubai: The UAE's Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) has asked Etisalat and du to sort out their differences and create the network linkage between them, while saying neither will be allowed to raise capital without its permission.

Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Governmental Sector Development, yesterday told Gulf News that the TRA will regulate any capital increase by the telecom companies

"The TRA will cooperate with the Ministry of Economy and Planning to organise the local market, but will not interfere to regulate investment, foreign purchasing and acquisitions of Etlisalat and du," he said.

"Etisalat and du will conclude their negotiations within a month, and must reach an agreement by May," he said, adding that the authority will monitor the markets, and will not allow pricing policies that may harm the market.

"Cutting prices will benefit Etisalat or du, and there has to be a balance that gives users a choice between the two companies," Al Mansouri said.