Etisalat participated in the Broadband Global Summit 2010

Etisalat leads the way for a digitally connected future; partners Broadband Global Summit 2010
Abu Dhabi, 13 March 2010: As the Strategic Operator Partner, Etisalat participated in the Broadband Global Summit 2010, one of the region’s most important assemblies on broadband technologies, held 8-10 March 2010 at the One & Only Royal Mirage Hotel. Broadband Global Summit, in its second successful year, is positioned to reflect the dynamic developments within the region’s broadband ecosystem and effectively highlighted the exciting growth areas in the telecommunications industry - universal connectivity via broadband in the Middle East and Africa regions.
Commenting on the participation, Etisalat’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Khalifa Al Shamsi, said, “Etisalat envisions that all UAE residents will soon be digitally connected, improving themselves and their lifestyles every single day. Through a mix of advanced broadband technologies, Etisalat has already embarked upon this process and its recent nation-wide fiber roll-out, e-Life, will add significant value to customers’ lifestyles, enabling them to achieve much more than what is possible today. Through our participation in this summit, we are pleased to bring to a wider forum our experiences and insights that will assist in laying out the future roadmap of broadband infrastructure development for the entire region.”
In a keynote presentation on the ‘LTE Focus’ day of the event, Tariq Al Qaseer, Senior Director of Mobile Network- Planning at Etisalat, highlighted the “mobile broadband trends and challenges” elaborating on the opportunities brought by the advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology and joint efforts required to accelerate the LTE maturity in the region. He also explained Etisalat’s efforts in this direction through an earlier demonstration of LTE, designed to increase the capacity and speed of mobile networks.
As a key note speaker on the opening day, Ali Al Ahmed, Group Chief Strategy Officer, (GCSO) at Etisalat, mapped the evolution in the communications industry over the past one decade. In this congregation of the region’s top minds: regulatory decision makers, industry leaders and innovators, he discussed the opportunities and challenges faced in addressing the increasing customer demand and the strategic deployment of several technologies that exist within diverse environments. This was followed by a panel discussion on the region’s future broadband road-map and technology vision.
On the concluding day of the 3-day event, highlighting on the FTTH technological advancements and strategies, Fahem Al Bugham – Vice President / Technology Strategy presented the case study on the “Impact of evolving GPON on Access Network” and customer advantages met by the FTTH network, drawing from Etisalat’s experience, being the pioneer in deploying the region’s first fiber network across the UAE.
Pioneering the leading-edge fixed and mobile broadband technology locally and regionally, Etisalat’s contribution to the event was showcased through Etisalat’s experiences in the recent deployment of the Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and HSPA+ in the UAE, as well as through strategic insight from Etisalat experts on the future of broadband technologies. Etisalat’s FTTH network, has already covered over 735,000 households in the UAE, through eLife and Etisalat aims to connect the whole of the nation’s households by 2011, setting UAE in the league of top international fiber-connected countries.
Etisalat is also the first in the region to introduce the fastest mobile broadband technology, HSPA+ in the UAE, including the design and installation of the HSPA+ mobile infrastructure in the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa.
The event, among other benefits, also explored the broadband business in detail and presented opportunities to craft business strategies in order to deliver a new level of experience for customers and greater returns for shareholders. The program included multiple tracks across two days with over 60 high-level speakers, including 20 presentations, 38 operator case studies, workshops, training programs and much more.

Etisalat Managed ICT solution & Microsoft Middle Edge - 2010

Etisalat Managed ICT solution & services edge highlighted at Microsoft Tech.Ed Middle East 2010• Etisalat speakers share insights on benefits of a Converged IP network & Software plus Services approach with Etisalat Hosting Offerings
• Etisalat emphasizes usage of Microsoft Operations Framework in ICT & Service Management Projects

Dubai, March 4, 2010: At the inaugural edition of Tech.Ed Middle East which is Microsoft’s premier technical education and networking event in Dubai which concluded yesterday, Etisalat executives presented attendees with insights into its comprehensive Managed ICT & services portfolio to showcase how customers can benefit from such services with enhanced business performance while optimizing capital investment and operational costs.
In a presentation entitled “Enhancing performance through High Speed IP networks”, Haider Khan, Business Development Manager, Etisalat and Rehan Sami, Solution Architect, Etisalat talked about the significance of MPLS IPVPNs to help attendees understand how Etisalat‘s IP network can facilitate collaborative business models by converging voice and data and hence improve performance and operational efficiencies. With IP being the de facto protocol worldwide, Haider highlighted Etisalat efforts to set up its own IP nodes worldwide which would provide business customers with advantages like single point of contact and price guarantees in addition to a reliable quality of service (QOS).
The service can also be offered as a Managed Service by Etisalat with end to end network management through Etisalat’s Managed Router Service which has 24x7x365 proactive monitoring thereby enabling UAE based companies to lower their TCO (Total Cost of operations) and deal with a single vendor.

Jitendra Kapoor, Specialist – eHosting from Etisalat talked about the synergies between Microsoft’s Software Plus Services strategy and Etisalat’s Suite of Managed & Hosted Microsoft Application services to mitigate risks and enhance business agility. He said, “Businesses can now partner with Etisalat to capitalize on the secure, reliable and scalable computing environment of Etisalat’s state of the art fully redundant Internet data centres to conduct mission critical operations and be assured of enriched Managed Hosting Services like storage, disaster recovery, Business Continuity Planning, security, message hygiene, and Microsoft Software management.”
Etisalat can thus assists businesses of all sizes to make a prudent selection of on premise and Etisalat Hosted & Managed Applications-a winning combination designed to enhance competitive edge for customers. This translates into a very convenient deployment model which can be adjusted dynamically as business needs shift and growth requirements necessitate a relevant approach.

According to Shazad Ahmed, Specialist, Professional Services, Etisalat who spoke on the relevance of Microsoft Operations Framework, “Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) provides a practical framework and guidance to provide efficient and effective services. The major advantage of bringing in MOF best practices to Professional Services engagements is to reveal customer service flaws early on during the engagement. Moreover, it also helps to gather clear requirements from customers. While working on customer Service Management projects, MOF provides a low cost solution for organizations to adopt IT best practices and become ISO 20000 ready.

Etisalat Extends Its Customers’ Reach across USA, Canada and Latin America with Global Crossing

Etisalat Extends Its Customers’ Reach across USA, Canada and Latin America with Global Crossing
Dubai, Feb 27, 2010: Etisalat, a leading carrier in the Middle East, today announced an agreement with Global Crossing, (Nasdaq: GLBC), a leading global IP solutions provider, to provide seamless connectivity alternatives to customers who want to expand their connectivity to the United States, Canada and Latin America from the United Arab Emirates.
As part of this alliance, Etisalat has set up its own node in New York with last mile connectivity provided by Global Crossing to offer global connectivity solutions through a secure and fully owned IP/MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) network. This is part of Etisalat‘s long term strategy of enhancing global connectivity options for its corporate customers.
“This partnership with Global Crossing is significant in terms of expanding the connectivity alternatives for our customers across the US, Canada and Latin America,” said Abdulla Hashim, Senior Vice President, Business Solutions, Etisalat. “This will enable us to leverage their local presence and the capabilities of their integrated IP-based network to support our customers. Moreover, the presence of our own nodes is a major differentiator for customers across this region that now can rely on us for world class connectivity solutions with advantages like reliable quality of service and network management capabilities.”

“We’re very pleased to join with Etisalat in offering our Extended Reach Solutions, comprised of the Global Crossing Fast-Track Services™ portfolio,” said Habib Issa, Global Crossing’s head of Carrier Sales for South Europe, Middle East and Africa. “As Etisalat’s business clients take advantage of globalization and IP convergence market trends, they can benefit from Etisalat’s support model, strong regional presence and the global seamless network enabled by Global Crossing’s IP infrastructure.”

With the setting up of these new nodes, Etisalat will offer secure IP/MPLS links to carry data traffic on its own network. This also will translate into pricing advantages which will be passed on to customers since Etisalat will manage its own network from end-to-end in a seamless manner.

Etisalat joins a select list of top-tier service providers offering Global Crossing Fast-Track Services portfolio to their enterprise end users. Global Crossing Fast-Track Services combine the business processes, products, services and system tools necessary for service providers to quickly offer their enterprise customers end-to-end global data solutions, backed by consistent SLAs. In addition to Converged IP Services and Private Line, Fast-Track Services include Ethernet, Collaboration and Managed Services. The portfolio can help service providers avoid the costly expenditures and long lead times generally associated with service expansion. It also can help drive incremental revenue for a carrier by helping it provide additional opportunities to enterprise customers that need out-of-region IP-based solutions.

By virtue of its strategic agreement with Global Crossing, Etisalat will be able to further extend its customers connectivity in countries where it doesn’t have coverage by being part of the Global Crossing MPLS network. This will enable UAE based customers to extend their connectivity through Etisalat across the US, Canada and Latin American markets.

The IP VPN services offered will deliver feature-rich capability of a fully managed IP network while providing the reliability, quality and security of an MPLS-based private network environment. Both companies will also work towards offering value added services like Managed Services utilizing their respective infrastructure.

Etisalat enables UAE businesses to reach out to their favourite countries at upto 55% discounted calling rates

Etisalat enables UAE businesses to reach out to their favourite countries at upto 55% discounted calling rates
Abu Dhabi, February 24, 2010: In a move to bring more economical communication solutions to businesses across the UAE, Etisalat today announced the introduction of the Favourite Country Plan for businesses, offering an additional 20% discount on the current international direct dialing rates (IDD), for calls made to any 3 countries of their choice on business landlines.
The Favourite Country Plan is applicable to all calls made on landlines and gives customers the flexibility to choose any 3 countries best suited for their frequent calling requirements. This is in addition to the existing off-peak rates currently available to customers around the clock, thereby giving savings of upto 55% on their selected countries as per the plan.
Etisalat’s new introduction is aimed at providing UAE based companies with additional peace of mind when they communicate over their landline telephones through more attractive rates and substantial savings. It will also aid companies in their day-to-day interaction with partners, suppliers and employees across the globe, with a better control on monthly communication spends. The plan is also valid for landlines provided at the residence of company employees where the landlines are in the company`s name with applicable business line charges.
Commenting on the benefits of the additional discounts to Favourite countries, Mr. Abdulla Hashim, Senior VP, Business Solutions at Etisalat said, “Etisalat is totally committed to offer increased ways of more cost effective communication to businesses in the UAE. The Favourite Country Plan on landlines for businesses has been introduced to ensure maximum customer ease and savings, especially at a time when cost efficiencies are a priority given the current economic climate.”

Etisalat Remains Positive and is Reaching beyond the Economic Crisis

Etisalat Remains Positive and is Reaching beyond the Economic Crisis

20th Feb 2010: Etisalat is currently participating or investigating opportunities across North Africa and the Middle East. Omran indicated six possible markets which would involve both the acquisition of green-field licenses within markets with low penetration levels and industry consolidation stressing that size and scale are extremely important for to avoid small operators being marginalized. “Etisalat is in an excellent position – financially and operationally to capitalize on these opportunities,” Omran added.
Etisalat is committed to investing in new technologies across the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Broadband and fiber-optic fixed-line infrastructure is a clear example of such an investment. Etisalat has deployed fiber-optic networks in Sudan and also in the UAE to great effect and will shortly begin offering GPON connectivity to the home with a capacity of 10Gbps shared between 32 residences –a 400% increase to what is currently on offer today.
Etisalat also announced that it has started the commercial trial of LTE, an important step towards 4G. The expected date for launching LTE services in UAE is by the end of 2010. Later in the first half of this year, Etisalat will be introducing new technology which will enable downloads of up to 42mbps, which will grow to 84mbps by end of year.
In conclusion Mohammad Omran highlighted Etisalat’s commitment to environmental initiatives. “Etisalat has successfully combined the welfare of the environment and advanced technology by investing in fiber optic networks can enhance the energy efficiency of our networks and reduce our carbon emissions. We are also implementing ‘green building’ policies to reduce operating costs.”

Etisalat Reached 100 Million Customer Base

Barcelona, 15 February 2010: Etisalat announced that its subscriber base has exceeded 100 million subscribers across its 18 markets in the Middle East, Asia and Africa covering 2 billion people.
This comes shortly after Etisalat announced it has acquired an additional share equal to 18% in “Atlantic Telecom” thus increasing the shareholding to 100%. Added to that is its application to the Indian Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), to obtain approval to raise its 45% stake in its Indian subsidiary Etisalat DB to 50%plus one share. Etisalat targets majority stakes in its subsidiaries and associates for more operational and financial synergy.
Recently Etisalat reported annual Net Revenues of AED 30.831billion and Net Profits of AED 8.836 billion marking a 5% and 16% increase respectively, compared to 2008.

Etisalat has operations and investments in 18 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Pakistan, Tanzania, Benin, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Niger, Togo, Republic of Central Africa, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Afghanistan, India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Etisalat Customers Save 70% on Al Wasel Use

Etisalat customers continue to get
70% savings
on new Wasel

 

prepaid mobile connection

 

Wasel new

connection charges at AED 75 only with AED 25 as extra free credit

 

Abu Dhabi, 5 January 2010:
Etisalat continues the Wasel new connection
offer at a discounted price of AED 75 with a free initial credit worth AED 25
that can be used for making both local and international calls and SMS.
Customers will enjoy savings of up to
70% on subscription during the promotion period valid
till 31 March 2010.

 

The free credit of AED 25 will be automatically added to the
customer’s account upon Wasel activation and it is valid for 90 days from the
date of account activation. Customers will then be informed about the free
credit through an SMS notification, and they can check their credit balance by
calling *121*8# from their mobile phones.

 

 “At Etisalat, we constantly work towards creating
offers and promotions that make owning a mobile connection more affordable and a
convenient experience for people in the UAE. Our promotion that started in 2009,
continues to offer monetary savings of nearly 70% to our customers, usable for a
limited period. The service adds convenience, flexibility and peace of mind that
comes from knowing you can stay
connected with families, friends
and co-workers at all times.”

 

Wasel customers can
maximize their benefit by subscribing to the new Super off-peak plan
and enjoy an increased
discount of extra 60% on international calls during the Super off-peak hours
from 11pm -7am. Besides Super off-peak discounts, customers can also enjoy
higher discounts during off-peak hours which is 2pm - 4pm, 9pm - 11pm every day,
all Fridays and national holidays. Discounts for Wasel customers have been
increased to 35%.
Customers can subscribe by calling 125.

 

Etisalat also facilitates Wasel
customers during emergencies through its ‘Kalimni’ service. Customers who run
out of talking credit on their phones and need to make an urgent call, can
simply send an SMS with a call-me-back request using Etisalat’s ‘Kalimni’
service by simply dialing *188*050xxxxxxx# followed by the calling key.