Strategic agreement signed between Huawei and Etisalat

This signing marks the culmination of many years of extensive developments in the UAE and across Etisalat’s international operations, and places Huawei as a key partner in Etisalat’s drive to expand its position in the global telecommunication services industry.

The signing took place in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, between Etisalat Chief Operating Officer, Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar and Mr Ding Shaohua, Huawei’s President of Global Sales and President, Middle East and North Africa.

“This agreement will help Etisalat to explore unexploited market opportunities, drive data revenues, differentiate our service offering and increase retention across our geographical reach,” said Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, Chief Operating Officer at Etisalat. “This is an important agreement and one which fulfils the promise of our long and valued relationship with Huawei, which also reflects the strong relationship the UAE enjoys with China.”

As part of the agreement, Huawei will share telecommunication industry trends and best practices from its presence and experiences in international markets. It will carry out an All-IP evolution strategy for Etisalat and develop reports and recommendations for all of Etisalat’s subsidiaries. Huawei will also present a technical and services roadmap based on revised All IP evolution Strategy and operational data.

“We are delighted to partner with the leading telecommunications service provider in the Middle East. Etisalat is renowned for its thirst for innovation and its high quality expectations. These are some of the reasons we have sought to enter such a partnership with the UAE’s Etisalat,” said Mr Han Junjie, Vice President, Middle East and North Africa, Huawei.

Etisalat reports 54% increase in roaming calls between UAE & China in 2007

Etisalat, the largest wholesale carrier of voice traffic in the Middle East, today reported that voice traffic between the UAE and China has grown 17% and that international roaming traffic has grown by over 50% during 2007.

“The growth in telecommunication traffic and roaming reflects the growth in trade and tourism between our two countries. We are committed to increase both the number and variety of telecommunication services with our Chinese partners to serve both communities,” said Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, Chief Operating Officer, Etisalat.

Etisalat has long-established relationships with the giants of the Chinese telecommunications industry notably China Netcom, China Telecom and China Unicom. It also offers the widest range of services to business travelers and tourists traveling to or from Asia, including a large number of roaming agreements.

Etisalat is the largest carrier of voice traffic in the Middle East, terminating calls at over 600 destinations, with 118 direct connections and Points of Presence in the UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, New York, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. It has expanded internationally across Asia, Africa and the Middle East and owns stakes in operators in 16 countries, including Indonesia’s Excelcomindo. This has helped increase Etisalat’s subscriber base exceed 63m out of a total population of 680m people.