94 Million Global Customers for Etisalat

Etisalat’s Global Customer Base Reaches 94 Million

Abu Dhabi and Istanbul, 4 November 2009: Etisalat announced today its international subscriber base has reached 94 million and that the number will soon reach 100 million subscribers soon with operations covering nearly two billion people across its eighteen markets around the world.

“We have witnessed a significant increase in the number of subscribers which clearly indicates the strong performance of our operations in the UAE and internationally .we will reach 100 million customers soon”. said Chairman of Etisalat.

The statements coincides with Etisalat’s participation in SAMENA Telecommunications Council’s, 'Convergence to Istanbul 2009'. The event is held from 3-5 November 2009 in the presence of Dr. Tayfun Acarer, Chairman of Information and Communication Technology Authority in Turkey. Themed 'A Broadband Rising...With Efficiencies Maximizing Profitability', this CEO-level annual gathering features a number of high profile speakers and industry experts.

Ahmed bin Ali, Senior Vice President Corporate Communications represented Etisalat in the event shared with the audience a paper on behalf of Etisalat titled “Efficiency Strategies for Reaching Record Results”. The paper highlighted Etisalat successful 33 years history including the time global financial crisis noting that Etisalat maintained year on year 9% growth in net profits and 6% in revenues in 2009.

The paper explained how Etisalat managed to achieve growth in its revenues the last three years faster than pervious years allowing sufficient cash position to finance its operations and strategic expansions. As a result Etisalat became one of the few global telecos to maintain negative debt position. Etisalat has been highly rated by the three credit rating agencies with a stable outlook:

The paper also highlighted how Etisalat excelled in its operations with no adverse effects on the quality of services and has continued to spend where needed, whether it is on infrastructure such as fiber optic network, which will be accomplished in UAE in 2011 making Abu Dhabi the first city in the world be fully connected by this network, or in maintaining the quality of services and networks upgrades. On the other hand Etisalat kept shareholders content with a cumulative annual growth in their earnings over the past years.

Ahmed Bin Ali explained how Etisalat maintained efficiency in its continuous international expansions, saying: "One of the largest areas of expense is in obtaining a new license. We have proven our competence in this area and continue to follow a prudent approach in dealing with financial risks. Here we depend mainly on Etisalat‘s accumulated experience adhering to the best international standards governing expansion. “Etisalat conducts thorough research and seizes opportunities that help achieve further success of its work and give added value to customers and telecom sector and give our shareholders Exceptional returns”.
Etisalat has operations in UAE and Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, India, Nigeria, Benin, Niger, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Togo, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Tanzania and most recently Sri Lanka. offers its customers a full range of telecommunication services and solutions including mobile, fixed-line telephony, Internet, cable TV services to business, government and other telecom companies.

Etisalat has currently the largest international roaming network in the region with more than 520 operators around the world covering more than 190 countries.

Etisalat Bags 4 SAMENA Awards

Etisalat bags four SAMENA Awards
(WAM)

7 November 2009
ABU DHABI - Etisalat announced today it has received four awards from the SAMENA Telecommunications Council Awards 2009. The awards include “Best Content Provider of the Year” and “Best Wireless Broadband Operator of the year “.
Etisalat was also named “Best FTTx/GPON Operator of the Year “ for the success it has achieved in introducing fiber optic network in the UAE. FTTH network is a vital addition to the telecom infrastructure in UAE. Etisalat is known for its considerable investments in CAPEX. Its Fiber Optic network will provide endless capabilities and features.
It is the only technology with enough bandwidth to handle the user’s projected and growing demands during the next decades. Etisalat will be the first operator to cover Abu Dhabi with this network making it the first capital city in the world to be fully connected .with this advanced infrastructure.
Commenting on Etisalat achievement, “ Bocar A. Ba, President of Samena Telecommunications Council said “ It is a well deserved win by Etisalat which has made significant contributions to the development of telecommunications infrastructure in the UAE and achieved remarkable global success. Etisalat has maintained outstanding business portfolio in 18 markets in Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Throughout its long history Etisalat continued adding more achievements in both service offerings and technology innovations. Etisalat has been always a strong believer in injecting considerable investments in networks and offering new services for its customers.”
Etisalat was also granted “Best Quality of Services Operator of the Year” for the quality of services it is offering to customers and its ongoing network upgrades since it is related to improving network quality of service and customer satisfaction.
Etisalat has operations in 18 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa and services over 94mn customers across these markets. The total population of its international footprint is currently 2 billion people.
SAMENA Awards recognize leadership and astute decision-making within the SAMENA region to help assess and inspire telecommunications developments in the region and beyond to enable SAMENA to become a recognized body that encourages and supports innovations in telecommunications and that facilitates greater part of the industry-wide make SAMENA vital and imperative to take decisions