The Apple iPhone will remain out of reach for a large number of customers, with Etisalat requiring those who have not had a contract with the company for at least six months to pay the full cost of the device – between Dh2,600 (US$707) and Dh3,000 – up front.

In addition, customers who already own an iPhone could not switch to the special iPhone packages without buying a new handset from the company, said Khalifa al Shamsi, Etisalat’s vice president for consumer marketing.

“Etisalat is providing the iPhone as a bundle with the package,” he said. “Hence, the price plans are available only for consumers who have bought the device from Etisalat.”

The policy is contrary to previous statements by the company reported in the local media, and the advice being given by some Etisalat sales staff in retail outlets in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Etisalat offers eight monthly plans for the iPhone. In most of the plans, it subsidises the cost of the handset in return for a higher monthly fee. But such plans were not available to new or pre-paid customers, or those shifting from the du network, the company said yesterday.

Although the requirements were not announced during the launch of the phone, and cannot be found on the company’s sales materials and contracts, potential customers have told The National that they were turned away after attempting to sign up for iPhone plans in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah…SOURCE

With just a fortnight to go, the mother of all shopping festivals — the Dubai Shopping Festival 2009 (DSF) — is coming back to town.

Scheduled to begin on January 15, the 14^th edition of the DSF is set to open at a time of global financial turmoil, but the organisers say DSF 2009 will deliver.

Dubai looks her best during the DSF when every nook and corner of the city is lit up with over a million lights and colourful decorations.

Over 3.2 million people visited DSF 2008 with the expenditure touching Dh10 billion.

The participating retail outlets of the DSF and the various shopping malls are expecting a windfall. With the December sale already in session at the various retail outlets across the city, products are being sold at discounts of over 70 per cent.

Though they have not yet announced the promotional offers for the season, retail outlets have pledged their entire support to the DSFO (Dubai Shopping Festival Office) by lining up attractive discounts and raffle draws to lure the crowds into the shopping malls and retail outlets.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman of Dubai Shopping Festival Office (DSFO) Supreme Committee said the UAE economy is robust enough to ride out the current difficulties and continue to achieve good economic growth rates.

“There is a tireless endeavour to tackle the economic turmoil and hold events that can contribute to reviving several economic sectors, primarily retail trade and tourism,” he said.

“This year’s edition of DSF comes at a time when the entire world is experiencing an acute period of economic crisis with a number of leading world economies having drifted into economic recession.”

He stressed on the importance of strong partnership between the private and public sectors…SOURCE