Du’s Chairman Ahmad bin Byat said that he expects the royalty rates on telecom operator would remain unchanged in 2017. The UAE’s finance ministry had previously set out a five-year timetable for du's royalty rates for 2012 to 2016. This steadily increased du's rates until the company paid the same in percentage terms as Etisalat. Both companies will pay 15% of their regulated revenue – which excludes the likes of handset sales – and 30% of their regulated profit in royalties this year, leaving a question-mark as what will happen from 2017 onwards. Du is awaiting further instructions, but doesn't expect royalty rates to change next year, du chairman Ahmad bin Byat told a conference in Dubai. (Reuters)