Etisalat has introduced the fastest fixed broadband internet in the Middle East for its residential customers in the UAE, with its new 30 Mbps package.

Based on the Fibre to the Home (FTTH) technology, the new package available now will significantly boost the current speed of Internet, providing unmatched experience and minimal latency to the customers, while encouraging newer avenues for internet surfing like online gaming, audio and video streaming.

Etisalat has already connected over 550,000 homes in the UAE on FTTH (Fibre to the Home) network and aims to connect the entire country by the end of 2011, connecting more than 1.4 million homes and offices.

Available in the FTTH connected areas and priced at Dh699/month, the new 30 Mbps package will also be made available for existing customers in the FTTH coverage area, who are keen on upgrading their account.

Etisalat customers can also benefit from the additional offers and save up to Dh899 on subscribing to this package that includes free installation, one month rental waiver, 5 free email IDs in the .EIM domain with 5GB capacity, along with 8 hours per month free access into 350+ Etisalat hotspots. In addition, that they will also get free eSupport software and Norton Internet Security software, according to a company statement.

'Our FTTH network is on a fast track roll-out; Etisalat is getting ready to announce Abu Dhabi as the first connected capital in the world in the coming months and aims to connect all the UAE households and premises through FTTH network by 2011, which will become yet another milestone in its own right,' stated Mohammed Khalfan Al Qamzi, chief of Etisalat.

FTTH will also allow Etisalat to launch a much faster package of 100 Mbps in the coming months,' he added.

'With its high-speed Internet offering speed up to 100 Mbps, FTTH will boost adoption of new age internet services like IPTV, Video On Demand , and online gaming, creating future smart homes,' added Essa Al Haddad, chief marketing officer, Etisalat.

'The platform will also widen the current internet scope by opening unconventional yet significant internet avenues, in areas like e-education, online health checks ups with three-dimensional view (voice, picture and data), video conferencing, and remote infrastructure management.'

'This package will further strengthen Etisalat's bouquet of services in the Al Shamil offerings and provide a wider choice of speed to our customers – from 256 kbps to 30 Mbps depending on their internet usage habits and needs,' Al Haddad added.

On the other hand, Etisalat Al Shamil customers can experience an even higher internet access at no additional cost.

Until November 30, Al Shamil package subscribers can upgrade to any higher speed and enjoy it for two months, without any additional fees.-TradeArabia News Service