etisalat offers free smartphones for BlackBerry customers

It will offer BlackBerry customers a free smartphone for those signing up to a 12-month contract (as an add-on package).

Replacement packages consist of bundled SMS and MMS; bundled data usage; bundled voice minutes; and alternative smartphones.

The replacement packages were announced two days after the UAE Telecoms Regulatory Authority (TRA) said BlackBerry services in the UAE would be suspended from October 11, 2010.

A base package has been set up by Etisalat for all BlackBerry customers who subscribed to the services on or before July 31 2010, as default.

The second add-on package includes “free monthly minutes to customers without yearly commitment and without free smartphone” according to the etisalat website.

Smartphone devices offered with the add-on to package 1 are: Nokia E72; Sony Ericsson X10; Mini Sony Ericsson X10; Mini Nokia E66; Sony Ericsson Vivaz; Nokia N900; Nokia N 97; Sony Ericsson Vivaz pro; Sony Ericsson Satio; Samsung Wave; Samsung Galaxy S; and the iPhone.

du is yet to announce its alternative package. According to its website, “detailed information on the alternative solutions” will be announced in the next few days.