DUBAI: The UAE telecom regulator yesterday fined former monopoly Etisalat for blocking text messages that would have provided its customers with details on how to switch to rival operator du.
The penalty is a rare rebuke in the UAE, where both operators are majority-owned by state institutions and the regulator is often seen by analysts as more interested in protecting the companies’ revenues than standing up for consumer interests.
The case comes ahead of the launch of mobile number portability next month in the country after a delay of more than five years.
This will allow subscribers to retain the same phone number when changing provider and could be a crucial tool for Etisalat and du - the only two mobile operators - in trying to lure high-value business customers and people on monthly contracts from their rival.
Etisalat is the bigger player in both of these segments and is seen by analysts as having more to lose from the introduction of the service.
Du launched a publicity campaign urging people to send a text message to a specific number to receive information relating to number portability. Etisalat blocked this number from around November 21, preventing its customers from receiving du’s response, a Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) statement said.Reuters
