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Ruby jubilee with strong progress in ICT sector

Etisalat marks 40 years of top customer experience and quality, and continues to lead in delivering novel market technologies

The UAE's first telecommunications provider, Etisalat, is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year. Established in 1976, the government organisation has come a long way from the early days of connecting telephone lines to current tech-savvy initiatives. 
With headquarters in Abu Dhabi, the Etisalat Group has branched out to become one of the largest corporations in the region with a market value of Dh132 billion to date. Furthermore, it reaches out to 163 million subscribers in 17 countries, not only in the Middle East, but also other neighbouring countries based in Africa and Central Asia.
Inspired by innovation, coupled with the UAE's vision of a smart country, Etisalat has stood the test of time and currently ranks among the most profitable telecom groups in the UAE based on high credit ratings. 
It is armed with a mission to maintain consistency, and prioritises customer experience and quality. It also continues to lead in delivering novel market technologies. For instance, the provider is the first in the region to test the latest 5G mobile broadband technology followed by design and integration of a stable Information and Communications Technology (ICT) platform for users. 
In a statement, Mohamed Eissa Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Etisalat Group, said: "Our customers are vital to anything that we do and they are the main reason behind our success. We highly appreciate our customer's trust, which pushes us to continue our hard work to meet their needs and aspirations in every market where we operate. We consider the loyalty of millions of our customers for more than four decades as dearest to our hearts. This loyalty motivates us to continue to provide innovative solutions that allow us to offer our customers value-added services based on a set of values that reflects our deep understanding of their needs and reflects on our customer's satisfaction and happiness." 
Interestingly, Abu Dhabi is the first capital in the world to be fully connected with the top speed fibre optic on the planet. 
According to the latest Network Readiness Index (NRI), published by the World Economic Forum, the UAE has gained a strong foothold in the ICT field. The country is ranked first worldwise in ICT use, government efficiency, mobile network coverage (based on percentage of population covered), top in the importance of ICT to the Government's vision of the future and impact on access to basic services. Furthermore, it ranks second globally in ICT promotion via government initiatives, impact of ICT on new services and products, as well as procurement of advanced technologies products by the government. 
Al Suwaidi added: "Etisalat Group has a leadership role in the telecommunciation and IT sector worldwide. The strong financial results in the second quarter of 2016 provide a solid ground for further growth in the rest of the year. Through our fully-fledged expertise in the fields of telecoms, our ability to keep pace with the latest technological innovations, and our constant investment in the development of our infrastructure and networks, we are fully ready to contribute to the UAE's vision 2021 and meet the aspirations of Expo 2020."
Looking ahead Etisalat is on track to optimise its international portfolio, following an organic revenue growth in line with targets. From a local perspective, the organisation aims to enhance consumer offerings and leverage a high network quality with continued investments in coverage and speed. The investments in network are positioned to promote growth opportunities such as the establishment of a sustainable digital business model for corporate customers.
Progress of Etisalat Group in figures
Dh157.7 billion
Market value
Dh13.3 million
Revenue in Q2 2016 Dh51.7 billion
Revenue in 2015 163 million
Subscribers in the Middle East, Asia and Africa
Notable highlights of Q2 2016
Etisalat Group set to be a major partner of Dubai's Expo 2020, where it will be involved in creating the on-site infrastructure.
Trials for high-speed download with Huawei to offer the first 10Gbps broadband service in the MENA region. 
Successful trials for smart parking in the Middle East, which ran on Etisalat's live network. Source: Etisalat.com financial report
Top in the Arab World
Forbes Middle East recently recognised Etisalat as the top telecommunication company in the region in an exclusive event held to acknowledge leaders in technology. Furthermore, the company held third place in business rankings of the top 200 companies in the Arab World. The awards were based on market capitalisation and the latest consolidated revenue.
Etisalat has developed a strong business portfolio across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and continues to set up pioneering technology innovations in the region.
Etisalat to update/correct
International operations initiated by Etisalat
Central African Republic
Etisalat Afghanistan (Afghanistan)
Etisalat Lanka (Sri Lanka)
Etisalat Misr (Egypt)
Etisalat Nigeria (Nigeria)
Gabon
Maroc Telecom (Morocco)
Mauritel (Mauritania)
Mobily (Saudi Arabia)
MOOV - Benin
MOOV - Cote d'Ivoire
MOOV - Niger
MOOV - Togo
ONATEL - Burkina Faso
Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited (PTCL) (Pakistan)
Sotelma (Mali)
Thuraya
Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2015 - UAE rankings
1st worldwide in ICT use and Government efficiency
1st worldwide in mobile network coverage, in terms of the percentage of the population covered
1st worldwide in the importance of ICT to the Government's vision of the future
1st worldwide in the impact of ICT on access to basic services
2nd worldwide in Government success in ICT promotion
2nd worldwide in Impact of ICTs on new services and products
2nd worldwide in Government procurement of advanced technologies products

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