Etisalat offers free data to customers in 50th anniversary promotion

Etisalat offers free data to customers in 50th anniversary promotion

Etisalat customers in the UAE are receiving complimentary mobile data as the telecommunications operator marks its 50th anniversary, with the amount allocated based on how long subscribers have been with the company.

In messages sent to eligible users on Tuesday, Etisalat confirmed it is providing 1GB of free data for every year a customer has maintained service with the operator. The promotional data remains valid until October 12, giving recipients several days to utilize the bonus allocation.

For subscribers who have been with Etisalat for five years, the offer translates to 5GB of complimentary data. Those with 10 years of tenure receive 10GB, while customers with 15 and 20 years receive 15GB and 20GB respectively. Customers should review the SMS notification from Etisalat for their specific allocation and applicable terms.

Historic milestone for UAE telecommunications

The data giveaway forms part of broader celebrations commemorating Etisalat's establishment on August 30, 1976, when it began operations as Emirates Telecommunications Corporation. The company was founded as a joint venture between the UAE government, which held a 60 per cent stake, and International Aeradio Limited, a British firm that owned the remaining 40 per cent.

Just six years after its founding, Etisalat launched the first mobile phone service in the Middle East in 1982, establishing its position as a regional telecommunications pioneer. The company's ownership structure evolved in 1983 when the UAE government maintained its 60 per cent stake while the remaining 40 per cent became publicly traded.

Today, Etisalat Group operates across 38 countries and serves more than 250 million subscribers globally. The company rebranded to e& in February 2022 as part of a transformation strategy to evolve into a global technology and investment conglomerate. However, as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, the group announced the return of the Etisalat name for its telecommunications business.

Infrastructure expansion and market position

Alongside the anniversary promotions, Etisalat unveiled plans for a major expansion of the UAE's international digital connectivity infrastructure. The project aims to increase international connectivity capacity from approximately 20 terabits per second to more than 500 terabits per second by 2030, representing a 25-fold increase over current levels.

The initiative also includes developing more diverse international connectivity routes, designed to enhance network efficiency and reliability while delivering faster and more stable connections for users. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister, attended the launch of both the connectivity expansion project and the 50th anniversary celebrations.

Etisalat operates in the UAE telecommunications market as one of two licensed operators, alongside du, which entered the market in 2006. The company has maintained its technological leadership position, having launched the first commercial 5G network in the Middle East and North Africa region in May 2018.

The operator's new strategy, announced during the anniversary celebrations, positions it as an AI-powered telecommunications company built around four business engines: telco, AI and business solutions, infrastructure, and fintech.

Additional anniversary offers

Beyond the free data allocation, Etisalat has rolled out several promotional offers for the anniversary period. Customers can access discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected smartphones and up to 90 per cent on selected technology accessories.

Special mobile data packages are also available, including 30GB for Dh150, 50GB for Dh200, and 250GB for Dh600. The company is offering 50 per cent off selected home Wi-Fi plans for six months, subject to individual offer terms and eligibility requirements.

For customers who received the tenure-based data offer, the allocation must be used before the October 12 expiry date to take advantage of the complimentary service.