Kids phone from Etisalat on its way

Etisalat has unveiled a new self-branded cellphone that's aimed at young children in the United Arab Emirates.

It's the latest phone sporting the Etisalat brand following the telco's launch of an AED 265 FM phone a few days ago at the GITEX Technology Week.

Children can only call four set telephone numbers fed into the handset or one emergency number, parents can keep track of their kid's whereabouts using the device's inbuilt GPS technology. Etisalat is also going live with a Safety Service that parents can use to receive an SMS or email alert if their child leaves a programmed ‘safety zone'.

The telco believes the handset would be beneficial also for children with special needs such as autism and Down syndrome.

"With the programmed emergency button, the Kids Phone provides children with the peace of mind that they can contact someone with the simple push of a button...," said Khalifa Al Shamsi, senior VP of Consumer Marketing. "Etisalat's commitment in providing innovative business and home communication solutions that touch all spheres of life is reiterated through the Etisalat Safety Service and the Kids phone is an important element of our overall Safety product mix."

Etisalat revealed that the Kids Phone and Safety Service will be made available by the end of 2009 but has not divulged pricing details as yet.