New iPhone prices suggest the 3GS is around the corner

Etisalat has just announced cuts in its pricing of the iPhone 3G. As seen around the rest of the world, this is typically the move that happens in the weeks leading up to the launch of the iPhone 3GS - and syncs nicely with the rumours of a 3GS launch at the Gitex conference in Dubai.

Read on for the press release and new pricing info from Etisalat:


-----PRESS RELEASE------

Etisalat announces significant reduction on iPhone 3G packages

Introduces new 5GB and 10GB data only packages for iPhone3G

Abu Dhabi, Monday, October 5^th, 2009: Etisalat today introduced new data only packages of 5GB and 10GB for iPhone 3G postpaid subscribers and also announced a significant reduction on the iPhone 3G devices and packages for both Wasel and postpaid subscribers. Applicable from tomorrow, the new iPhone postpaid packages will reflect a significant monthly rental reduction, while the prepaid iPhone devices will be available for AED 2,399 and AED 2,775 for 8GB and 16GB devices respectively. iPhone postpaid customers will also be able to enjoy higher data downloads with the new 5GB and 10GB packages, introduced at affordable prices.

New Data Packages

Responding to popular demand from customers, Etisalat is introducing 5GB and 10GB vanilla data packages, for postpaid customers, at affordable monthly rentals. Customers can choose to buy iPhone devices at zero cost, with no upfront charge and pay for these packages as monthly rentals. Specially designed for customers who require higher data downloads, these packages are bundled with data usage and customers will be charged separately for their voice calls and SMSs at normal rates.  

iPhone 3G Prepaid Device

Etisalat has also reduced the device prices for both 8GB and 16GB for prepaid users. The iPhone 3G 8GB prepaid device will now be available at a reduced price of AED2,399 as against earlier price of AED 2,680, while the 16GB device will be available for AED 2,775 as against AED 3,055 without any additional monthly fee. Etisalat is also offering free 250 MB monthly data package for six months and one free Wasel SIM Card with every device, providing lucrative return benefit of over AED 2000, effectively bringing down the device cost to a little over AED 300.

Customers can choose to activate their subscription on their current SIM or on the new SIM, being offered free by Etisalat. Customers keen on upgrading the free data package of 250 MB can subscribe to any of the current Etisalat data packages, and the free bandwidth (250 MB /per month) will be added to their selected package automatically. 

New iPhone postpaid package with reduced monthly rentals

For postpaid packages, customers can choose from 3 convenient iPhone plans with reduced monthly rental of 49% on Plan1, 20% on Plan 2 and 10% on Plan 3 respectively, for both 8GB and 16GB packages. Both the 8GB and 16 GB devices are available as a bundle package which includes the device, data, voice and SMS. Customers will also get a postpaid SIM card free with every device. The package is explained as per the table below: