Edited LOG of Chat in #Dubai on Thursday 07 January 1999 [15:19] hello anybody for a chat afternoon Mark434 ! [15:20] hi free real good Mark434 - how did you find your way here ? [15:22] just found it why was just wondering how you found it Mark434 Mark434 - it interests me to know where you found it [15:23] just tried mIRC and saw dubai [15:23] why woooooo saw dubai ? as in by listing the channels ? [15:24] yes wow ..... and how did you choose to join the undernet servers ? [15:25] is this a survey ? Mark434 - have you had a look at our extensive home pages ? heh heh Mark434 - sorry ..... i didnt mean it to sound like that [15:25] yes i did Mark434 - i author those pages and it helps for me to know Mark434 - asl is kinda not the greatest way of continuing a conversation [15:26] those anti-etisalat pages ? heh heh anti etisalat ? lol there is nothing anti etisalat [15:28] hmm ! or protesting against the service of etisalat has joined #dubai just a little info and a request for cheaper rates i thought ! [15:28] well free i work or etisalat [15:28] Mark434: You do? [15:28] Yes ! Mark434 - well nice to meet you ...... in which section do you work ? [15:28] internet [15:29] oh yes.. Mark434 - Sharjah ? [15:29] abu dhabi [15:29] HO Mark434 - wooooooo ...... and with an isdn line too !? [15:29] yes [15:29] why ? just an observation [15:30] how do u make out ? [15:30] isdn or analog we dont see many Abu Dhabi ISDN users ...... mostly Dubai , then Sharjah Mark434 - if you really work for etisalat then you should know how :) [15:30] yes the distribution is concentrated in dubai [15:31] i can't make out if u have isdn or not ? [15:31] I like the server you are on Mark434.. Mark434 - then you arent really very knowledgable about Etisalat internet :) [15:32] Free: did you expect anything more? [15:32] lol [15:32] not really i am in the marketing dept [15:32] ahhh.. that explains it. [15:32] we derive the tarifs etc [15:32] I suggest a drop in rates.. actually.. [15:32] I DEMAND it. heh heh Mark434 - coooooooool [15:32] ha Mark434 - can i show you something that etisalat said a long time back ..... Mark434 - that etisalat could make money with just a few thousand users Mark434 - and now that they are up to almost 100,000 ..... doesnt that seem a bit silly that the rates have hardly dropped [15:33] 80k precisely Mark434 - wow ! Mark434 can i quote you on that :) [15:34] No i like my job heh heh ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Mark434 - is another reductions in rates likely ? we expected one during gitex [15:34] we lack a unlimted pricing [15:35] probably to be introduced in mar [15:35] 400dhs [15:35] unlimited ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ [15:35] probably? Mark434 - yes ...... my bill averages about Dhs2000 per month Mark434 - have you seen the unlimited pricing in Kuwait ? [15:35] no ! how much is it wow ! [15:36] mine rose to dhs3000 this month. Dhs 400 in march is excellent [15:36] hope so [15:36] thats approx. 50 fils per hour. Mark434 - the kuwait rates are at ...... http://etisalat.charges.too.much.net/compare.html [15:37] we tend to overlook that u don't pay local access charges Mark434 - we havent overlooked that .... but etisalat makes enough on overseas calls to run their free local service Mark434 - especially in view that 70+% of the population is expat [15:38] Did you know that hardly anyone in the uae is rich? [15:38] cross subsidiation does not happen ! when u have independent operations [15:39] in terms of products and services Mark434 - but etisalat internet is not a separate entity [15:39] no but it has to pull it own weight Mark434 - with 80,000+ users i'm sure it's more than pulling it's weight now ..... what is the revenue from these subscribers now ? [15:40] ha ! [15:40] thats conf.. Mark434 :) heh heh Mark434 :) heh heh ..... yeah .. would be a bit embaressing if it became public ! [15:41] :) [15:41] no ! but thats policy Mark434 - Etisalat's balance sheets are published publically ... so .. that is not the correect response from you :) [15:43] Mark434: who is paying for your connection? ====================================================================== Mark434 - so is that unlimited charge going to become reality ? [15:44] ME [15:44] hopefully [15:44] :) [15:44] it is being debated around ====================================================================== Mark434 - what is your internet bill like ? [15:44] around 800 Mark434 - if we were to get subscribers to appeal for an unlimited rate ..... who should we appeal to ? [15:45] the right person is the manager public relations or the marketing manager in abu dhabi Mark434 - as in an email addy that the emails would cause a reaction .. such as to heat up the debate and move it on faster [15:45] yes. [15:45] hmm ! thats no appropriate [15:46] u make a representation fix an appointment and meet them [15:46] they are reasonable people who listen to reason Mark434 - doesnt he have an email addy ? Mark434 - making a representation is not really viable .. and i think you know that [15:47] that will be screened by a sec [15:47] his offical emails will go through the secretary Mark434 - perhaps you can suggest another way ? Mark434 - i'm sure his secretary would at least let him know that he got some emails regarding the tpic ? [15:48] i am not sure i should [15:49] or send a fax at 324499 what is the phone number ? [15:50] 2084320 [15:50] direct marketing manager and what is his name at least ? [15:50] Mohd. Al Fahim ahhhhhhhhhh i have seen that name b4 let me think [15:50] or Ahmed al dosery M Pub Relations which is better ? Fahim or Dosery ? [15:52] dosery would be better :) thanks [15:52] ok got to get going Mark434 - so ........ what kind of marketting does Etisalat need to do since it's a monopoly ? ok Mark434 - catch you agan sometime [15:53] well we need to make sure we are ready for the competition when it comes