Etisalat unveils retail strategy to market mobile handsets and 3G devices across Mid-East

Etisalat will now look to negotiate purchase contracts with international vendors and Own Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) on behalf of its subsidiaries. This strategy will provide great value for its consumers through lower priced devices and promotional bundles.

As a part of the strategy, Etisalat will introduce its own range of telecommunications devices and handsets, which will be branded especially for Etisalat and its subsidiaries. It will also negotiate retail agreements with global leaders in mobile phones and devices to maximize the corporate's purchasing power and provide maximum value for its consumers.

This ultimate objective of the strategy is to provide state-of-the-art-devices in packages to meet customers' needs and bring more added value and services to its markets at competitive prices. This will help bring both high-end models and entry-level devices into reach of consumers across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Mohammad Hassan Omran, Chairman of Etisalat, said:

"Etisalat has successfully carved a position for itself within the list of the world's most influential operators through our ongoing expansion strategy. The next phase in our growth is to activate synergies - whether this in terms of acquisitions, knowledge or in other areas."

"Our corporate strategy is based on extending the reach of all of our customers, wherever they are living or traveling. Our retail strategy will support this by providing devices and technologies at an accessible price point," Omran added.

Etisalat was ranked the largest operator in the Arab World and one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world in the Financial Times 500 survey, earlier this year. It has expanded into its 17th market in September. Its international subsidiaries give it access to approximately 1.6 billion potential consumers.