Etisalat CEO inaugurates software solutions unit in India

The new company will operate under the brand 'Technologia' (www.technologiaworld.com), and will develop software solutions and mobile applications for the telecommunications domain, providing a distinct competitive advantage and a continuous stream of new, customer centric innovations.

Mohammad Khalfan Al Qamzi, Chief Executive Officer at Etisalat said: "Etisalat is committed to providing the latest services to help its customers to extend their reach. Through our investment in research and development, we will further our mission and generate a constant stream of new products, services and opportunities to enhance our relationship with our customers. A key objective for Technologia is to form a hub of innovation excellence, to support our growing international portfolio of operators and telecommunications related subsidiaries."

Technologia's headquarters were officially inaugurated during a visit of Etisalat's Chief Executive Officer, Mohammad Khalfan Al Qamzi and a delegation of Etisalat's most senior executives, including Ahmed Abdulkarim Julfar, Chief Operating Officer, Salim Al Sharhan, Chief Financial Officer, Abdulaziz Al Sawleh, Chief Human Resources Officer and Ahmed bin Ali, Vice President, Corporate Communications.

Ali Khalfan Al Khedeim, a Member of the Board of Directors at Technologia said: "The idea of creating an independent software company comes from the ever growing demand for IT services from telecom operators. In addition, there is also an emerging requirement for niche software products in the telecommunications market."

Based out of a 37,000 sq. ft office in Bangalore the IT hub of India and registered as a 100% Export Oriented Unit, Technologia is targeted to provide software products and IT services to Etisalat, its subsidiaries and other telecommunications companies in the region. During the initial phase Technologia will have 50 qualified software engineers with vast experiences in the telecommunications sector, and is expected to grow to reach approximately 250 employees in the coming years.

"The software engineering team is geared to expand as market conditions dictate in order to cater to the demands of various projects and operators. We are constantly striving to adopt new technologies and methodologies to provide the latest return on investment models with great emphasis on quality," said Feroz Ahamad, CEO of Technologia.

In conclusion, Chairman of Technologia Ali Al Sharhan adds, "We see a great future ahead of us. With the talent pool we have on board, as well as the creative independence placed for Technologia, we are aiming to succeed. We will also strive to become a serious player in the Product and Packages Market."

Internationally Etisalat provides telecommunications services in 16 countries in Africa and Asia and continues to pursue new mobile and fixed line opportunities in many growth markets. Etisalat services over 51m customers in market estimated at 800m people. At the end of Etisalat's 2007, it had reported consolidated revenues for the period at Dhs21.3bn, showing an increase of approximately 31%, over 2006 figures. Net Profits reached Dhs7.2bn, a healthy increase of 25% on 2006.

Technologia is an Independent Software Vendor (ISV), wholly owned by Etisalat, in the OSS/BSS domain of telecommunication services with focus on Software Products, Custom Software Development and Consultancy. For further information, please visit www.technologiaworld.com.