ABU DHABI // Smartphone users are hesitating to use mobile data for high-bandwidth activities, despite a nationwide push for even faster speeds.
With 4G available and a fifth-generation mobile network said to be on the horizon, some users still shy away from taking full advantage of these speeds because of issues such as the high cost of data packages, wifi availability and battery life.
Fourth-generation mobile networks, or 4G, make it possible for activities that use a high amount of bandwidth, such as video conferencing, gaming and watching high-definition videos.
But many users still mostly use smartphones for checking email or social media and other activities.
“3G came into play because the world demanded higher speeds. It was the natural reaction of supply to the existing demand,” said Tareq Masarweh, analyst at Ovum research and advisory firm in Dubai.
“I see 4G as the opposite, where the competition between vendors and operators brought 4G to the table, and adoption – specifically in this region – is a result of differentiation and of demand reacting to supply.”
The average millennial may check Instagram, Facebook and Whatsapp as soon as they wake up, maybe moving to email and watching short videos later, Mr Masarweh said.
He or she might stream a playlist from music services like Soundcloud or Spotfiy while driving to work, later using instant messages, watching content, laughing at videos, browsing the web and responding to emails.
“This person doesn’t really need 4G yet as he’s been offloading his connection to wifi at multiple stops and his activities are completely satisfied by 3G.”
Wifi availability and fiber internet means that many people take advantage of those connections to avoid using mobile broadband.
“A significant chunk of smartphone owners in the UAE do not actually have data packages,” said Mr Masarweh.
Websites for activities such as streaming videos utilise technology that tests someone’s connection and adjusts the bandwidth accordingly, meaning that 4G users will consume more bandwidth in a given time than 3G users, due to the increased speed of their connection.
This may not affect heavy data users, but does affect others.
“In my opinion, that can be a big problem for a light user that purchases a gigabyte or two per month, as they would have a smaller margin or buffer of spare data per month,” he said.
However, Jawad Abbassi, founder of Arab Advisors Group, based in Jordan, said that new smartphone capabilities create demand for faster mobile broadband speeds.
“It’s really a question of supply creating its own demand,” Mr Abbassi said.
Most smartphone users now have 4G enabled and when new models become available on the market, every two to three years there is replacement of almost all smartphones, he said.
The Arabian Gulf countries do not have low data prices but are affordable when considering income level, he said. Prices can depend on infrastructure and amount of competition between telecommunications companies.
“Across the region, you have massive disparities of pricing of data,” he said.
The UAE’s prices are “relatively on the high side” but are affordable considering income levels, he said.
“It’s not just streaming video when you have faster networks,” Mr Abbassi said. “It just makes a lot of things more easy to do.”
lcarroll@thenational.ae
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
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Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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Henrik Stenson's finishes at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship:
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2007 - 8
2008 - 2
2009 - MC
2010 - 21
2011 - 42
2012 - MC
2013 - 23
2014 - MC
2015 - MC
2016 - 3
2017 - 8
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
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10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Abu Dhabi GP weekend schedule
Friday
First practice, 1pm
Second practice, 5pm
Saturday
Final practice, 2pm
Qualifying, 5pm
Sunday
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps), 5.10pm
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
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Rating: 4/5
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Key findings of Jenkins report
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- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The specs: 2018 Renault Megane
Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200
Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission Continuously variable transmission
Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
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McIlroy's struggles in 2016/17
European Tour: 6 events, 16 rounds, 5 cuts, 0 wins, 3 top-10s, 4 top-25s, 72,5567 points, ranked 16th
PGA Tour: 8 events, 26 rounds, 6 cuts, 0 wins, 4 top-10s, 5 top-25s, 526 points, ranked 71st
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AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.
Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.
Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.
Income protection: this pays a replacement income if you fall ill and are unable to continue working. On the best policies, this will continue either until you recover, or reach retirement age. Unlike critical illness cover, policies will typically pay out for stress and musculoskeletal problems such as back trouble.
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
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