Virgin Mobile now available in the UAE

The National -- Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), the owner behind du, has launched Virgin Mobile in the UAE, the company said on Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

“We are delighted to add such a well-known global brand to our portfolio, which is critical to our strategy of offering more choice for consumers in the UAE,” said Osman Sultan, chief executive of EITC.

Customers can access the app through Google Play or the Apple app store, allowing for a more digitalised customer experience all from the comfort of one’s home. Users can select their own number, customise mobile packages and have a SIM card delivered throughout the UAE within an hour.

“We have always worked hard to offer our customers the latest technologies and the best service, and we believe Virgin Mobile’s fully digital offering is ushering a new era in connectivity and customer-led service never seen before in the UAE,” Mr Sultan said.

Selected users had already been testing the model for months, according to Karim Benkirane, managing director of the Virgin Mobile business unit. “Our team has developed an innovative digital platform to create simple customer-focused solutions,” he said. There is no longer the need to go to a shop for your mobile needs, just download the app and you can not only have your SIM delivered, but also manage your mobile plan through the app.”

EITC had announced plans to debut Virgin Mobile in the UAE in January, with the idea to have a different set of services on offer to compliment du. The telecom operator has acquired the rights to use the Virgin Mobile brand.

Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder, said: “This is a very exciting time for us, and we are proud to announce the launch of the Virgin Mobile brand in the UAE. We have a fantastic team in place who I believe will make mobile better for customers across the [country].”