A long awaited network-sharing deal between the UAE telecoms operators Etisalat and du has been further delayed.
Under a liberalisation of the market announced last year, consumers were to be able to chose between telecoms operators when selecting landline, broadband and television services.
But the sharing of fixed line infrastructure, due for full commercial launch this year, has been further delayed, according to the local Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).
"The full commercial launch has been postponed until the completion of the technical readiness," the TRA said in a statement issued today.
Etisalat and du started testing the system last July, but are not ready for a full commercial launch, the TRA said.
"Accordingly, the TRA will continue to oversee the development of work process between operators to ensure any system deficiencies before the full commercial launch," it added.
bflanagan@thenational.ae
