When you hang up after talking to your relatives and then see your huge Etisalat bill, you probably get the picture. International calls from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will cost quite a bit of money without the necessary plan – up to 30, 40, or even 60 fils per minute.
That is precisely why Etisalat International Call Offer 9 Fils Per Minute became one of the most popular options for the vast majority of expats in the UAE. Indeed, according to official statistics, approximately 88% of UAE’s population consists of expatriates (UAE Government Portal, 2023). As you can see, affordable international calling is a must-have for many UAE residents.
So, let’s talk about what this offer is, how to activate it, and if this is indeed the best option you can find today. Besides, we’ll also provide you with a complete plan comparison table, detailed activation guide, and useful advice that will allow you to benefit from this offer even more.
What Is the Etisalat International Call Offer 9 Fils Per Minute ?
In general, the Etisalat international call offer 9 fils per minute refers to a promotional or ongoing reduced pricing that Etisalat (currently rebranded as e&) provides to eligible subscribers. Unlike regular international call rates (IDD or International Direct Dialing), you will only have to pay 9 fils per minute spent talking to people in certain countries.
As an illustration: assuming the usual 40-fils rate, a 30-minute call to India would cost you AED 12. In case you activate the 9 fils offer, the same call will be priced at AED 2.7. As you understand, monthly savings are substantial.
Some key points of the offer:
- Is Available to Prepaid and Postpaid Customers
- Can Be Applied to Calls Made from the UAE to Certain Destinations
- Has Specific Rates That Are Dependent on Destination Country
- Is Billed on a per-minute Basis and Can Include Connection Charges
How to Activate the Etisalat International Call Offer 9 Fils Per Minute
Activation Using USSD / SMS Menu
You can subscribe Etisalat International Call Offer 9 Fils Per Minute through your phone’s dialer by following these steps:
- Dial *050# and press the call button.
- A menu with Etisalat services and plans will appear.
- Go to the International Calling Plans section.
- Browse the available offers shown on your screen.
- Select the India 9 Fils/Minute option from the list.
- Confirm your choice to activate the package.
- You’ll receive a confirmation SMS once the plan is successfully enabled.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Weekly Access Fee | ~AED 5 (auto-renew every 7 days) |
| Per Minute Rate | 9 fils (AED 0.009) |
| 30 Minute Call Cost | AED 5.25/day |
| 30 Minute Calal Cost | AED 2.70 + AED 5 fee = AED 7.70 |
| Standard Rate (without package) | ~AED 1.20/min |
How Does the Etisalat International Call Offer 9 Fils Per Minute Offer Work?
After you activate the offer, all your calls to the specified countries will be billed at the 9 fils per minute price. In general, all you have to do is dial the international number without any prefixes after activation. The offered rate is charged in pulses (i.e., if you speak for 61 seconds, you’ll still have to pay for two minutes).
An important detail that you should remember: check whether the offer requires a one-time activation fee or regular access fees. Since Etisalat occasionally changes its offer terms, verifying them on the company’s official website or via its My Etisalat app prior to activation is a wise idea.
What Countries Are Covered By the 9 Fils Offer?
Coverage is one of the most critical things that you have to consider before committing to any calling plan. The Etisalat international call offer 9 fils per minute can be applied to certain international destinations rather than to the entire world. Usually, these destinations are divided into several tiers depending on the popularity of each destination.
Most Common Countries Included in the 9 Fils Tier (the list can be updated):
- India: landline numbers, mobile numbers
- Pakistan: landline numbers, mobile numbers
- Philippines: landline numbers, mobile networks
- Egypt: landline numbers
- Bangladesh: landline numbers
- Sri Lanka: landline numbers
- Nepal: landline numbers
- Jordan: landline numbers
There are numerous other countries that are not covered by the 9 fils tier. In such cases, calls to them will be charged according to the IDD rate or at least another plan rate. So, check your destination before making your call!
Does the 9 Fils Offer Apply to Calls to India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Egypt?
Yes, they do. These four countries are the most common and widely-covered under this offer precisely because they host a vast number of expats in the UAE. As a result, Etisalat created this offer especially for expats from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Egypt.
At the same time, remember that mobile and landline call rates for these countries may differ. Therefore, make sure that you have found out the appropriate rate for your particular destination.
How to Activate the 9 Fils International Call Offer From Etisalat (Step-by-Step Guide)
Activation of the Etisalat international call offer is quick, and you have several ways of accomplishing this task.
Method 1: Via My Etisalat App
- Install the app from the Google Play Store and/or Apple App Store if you haven’t done this yet.
- Login via your Etisalat mobile number.
- Click the ‘Offers & Add-Ons’ button on the screen.
- Go to ‘International Calling Offers’ tab.
- Click on 9 fils per minute and select ‘Activate.’
Follow the on-screen instructions and click on ‘Confirm.’ You will receive an SMS notification soon.
Method 2: Via USSD Code
If you want to activate your offer via the dialer, enter USSD code assigned by Etisalat in the app and press ‘call.’ The current USSD code will be provided to you by the company either via their website or via SMS 101. Then, just follow the on-screen instructions.
Once you are done, you’ll receive an SMS notification about successful activation.
Method 3: Via Etisalat Website or Customer Support
Alternatively, log in to the website of Etisalat (or e&), go to ‘My Services’, and look for available international plans. Besides, you can also try reaching out to Etisalat customer support (800 101 toll-free from any Etisalat phone) and ask for the activation of this offer.
Comparison of Various Etisalat International Call Plans (Is 9 Fils the Cheapest?)
In general, the 9 fils rate is relatively cheap. Nevertheless, the question is whether this offer is the cheapest option available on Etisalat. See for yourself:
From the chart above, it is easy to conclude that the 9 fils pay-as-you-go offer works best if you call internationally maybe 30–60 minutes per month. In other cases, choosing a bundled plan is a better choice since it allows reducing the per-minute price even further.
9 Fils Vs. Etisalat International Bundles
Apart from the pay-as-you-go option, Etisalat offers various bundles that can be purchased monthly. Thus, for example, if there is a bundle that provides 300 minutes of international calls at a price of AED 20–30, your average rate will be approximately 6–9 fils per minute. Hence, if you plan to make lots of international calls regularly, a bundle would work best.
Otherwise, pay-as-you-go is a flexible choice as you don’t have to commit to regular use.
9 Fils Vs. du International Call Rates
It goes without saying that the competition in the UAE telecommunications sector is fierce, and du – Etisalat’s primary rival – offers a competitive pricing too. Nevertheless, du’s international rates can depend heavily on destination and plan. Hence, if you are already using Etisalat, switching to du in order to make international calls rarely makes sense.
Therefore, 9 fils international offer can compete favorably even against some du offers.
How to Make the Best Out of the 9 Fils Per Minute Offer?
Finally, we have come to the practical part of this article. Now that you know everything about the Etisalat 9 fils per minute international call offer, let us take a closer look at some essential tips:
- Check your current balance: dial *121#.
- Try using landline numbers: often the 9 fils rate applies exclusively to landline numbers. Mobile call prices can be somewhat higher.
- Don’t use the offer while roaming: if you are roaming, standard international roaming rates will apply.
- Add a few favorite international numbers to speed dials.
Consider using other apps for brief calls: Skype, WhatsApp, or even FaceTime can help you check in with your relatives quicker and leave precious 9 fils minutes for important calls.
FAQs About Etisalat International Call Offer 9 Fils Per Minute
How do I activate the Etisalat 9 fils international call offer?
Answer: Activation can be accomplished via the My Etisalat app, USSD dial, or by contacting customer support (phone: 800 101).
Which countries are included in the offer?
In most cases, the offer covers popular destinations like India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Jordan. However, keep in mind that mobile numbers in these countries can have a different rate. To find out which countries are currently covered, refer to the list published on the official Etisalat website.
Is the offer available for prepaid and postpaid customers?
Yes, the offer can be activated by any type of Etisalat customers regardless of the payment plan.
Are there any hidden charges or fees?
A connection charge may apply to each of your calls. In addition, the company bills according to per-minute pulses, meaning that 61 seconds equals one minute. Besides, the offer does not require any monthly fees.
How is the offer compared to du services?
As was mentioned earlier, there is fierce competition between Etisalat and du. Nevertheless, considering all the available plans and rates to certain destinations, the 9 fils offer can easily compete with du’s offerings.
Conclusion
Thus, you have seen what the Etisalat international call offer 9 fils per minute is and how to activate it to save on your phone bill. To recapitulate, here are the most important points:
- One of the most affordable international rate plans on Etisalat
- Covers the most common expat destinations – India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, etc.
- Can be activated quickly via the My Etisalat app, USSD code, and customer support.
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