Comparing Etisalat and du Blackberry replacement packages

Last week we showed you five phones that could replace your beloved BlackBerry. Today, we talk about the data plans that you might want to look at if your BlackBerry is being replaced. Both Etisalat and du are offering impressive replacement packages for current BlackBerry subscribers with domestic/local data plans.

Etisalat BES/BIS Unlimited Domestic subscribers
Lets start off with Etisalat. If you have an unlimited domestic package that was costing you AED 185 per month, you now have the option continue paying the same amount and get unlimited data along with 900 local SMS/MMS messages as well as 100 international SMS/MMS messages. The SMS messages will somewhat compensate for the Blackberry Messenger service. If you chose to sign a 12 month contract with Etisalat, you can get a credit of AED 2000 towards the purchase of a device from Etisalat or alternatively, get 550 minutes of local talk time for free. At AED .30 per minutes, you are looking at AED 165 in local calls for free.

Etisalat BIS Limited Domestic subscribers
If you are on the limited data package that costs AED 90 per month, you can now continue to pay the same amount and get 100MB of data and a 1000 local SMS/MMS messages. If you chose to sign a 12 month contract with Etisalat, you can get a credit of AED 500 towards the purchase of a device from Etisalat or alternatively, get 150 minutes of local talk time for free. At AED .30 per minutes, you are looking at AED 45 in local calls for free.

Etisalat BIS Email Plus subscribers
The Email Plus package that costs AED 139 per month can be replaced by something that costs the same but offers 100MB of data now along with 900 local SMS/MMS messages and 100 international SMS/MMS messages. If you chose to sign a 12 month contract with Etisalat, you can get a credit of AED 550 towards the purchase of a device from Etisalat or alternatively, get 150 minutes of local talk time for free. At AED .30 per minutes, you are looking at AED 45 in local calls for free.

Etisalat BIS Unlimited Social subscribers
Finally for the Unlimited Social Package that costs AED 49 per month, you now have the option of paying the same amount and getting 100MB data along with 900 local SMS/MMS messages and 100 international SMS/MMS messages. If you chose to sign a 12 month contract with Etisalat, you can get a credit of AED 550 towards the purchase of a device from Etisalat or alternatively, get 150 minutes of local talk time for free. At AED .30 per minutes, you are looking at AED 45 in local calls for free.

du Unlimited national BlackBerry Service subscribers
du only offered one plan for local and one for international unlimited usage. If you were on the local unlimited plan paying AED 130 per month, then you can continue paying that and get unlimited data along with 800 local SMS and 200 international SMS messages. However, if you sign a 12 month contract with du, you can reduce this package’s price for AED 55 per month making it a steal. Even counting the AED 45 that Etisalat gives you as free talk time, this package from du is a much offer than the unlimited local, limited local and the email plus packages that Etisalat provides.

Alternatively, you can pay AED 180 per month and get AED 1500 worth of credit towards the purchase of a device from du which doesn’t make much sense to us, as you are not getting any discount so might as well spend that 1500 on a local shop where you can buy a device for a better price.

Our recommendation
For the casual user, we think that the etisalat AED 49 plan with 100MB data and 900 local and 100 international SMS/MMS messages is the best option. We suggest signing up for a 12 month plan and get 150 minutes of talk time per month as well. For someone who uses more data, the du package of AED 55 per month on a 12 month contract is a no brainer. You get unlimited local data as well as 800 local and 200 sms messages.