Etisalat global customer base exceeds 74 million

These figures were announced during Etisalat's gala dinner attended by H.E. Mohammed Hassan Omran, Chairman of Etisalat various national, regional and international companies, and senior representatives from government and private organizations.

Mohammad Hassan Omran, Chairman of Etisalat, said:

"Etisalat is in its strongest position ever and is on course to achieving its goal of being one of the top 10 operators in the world by 2010. Our growing subscriber base is an indicator of the strong performance of our international subsidiaries, and our success in growing market share even in the most competitive markets."

Earlier this year the company was ranked as one of the twenty largest operators in the world and the largest in the Arab world by the Financial Times. It was later ranked the fastest growing mobile operator in the world in a second study from the Informa Group. Combined the Etisalat family of operators today services 74mn subscribers out of a total population of 1,600mn.

"We are delighted at the results of our international subsidiaries which are performing exceptionally in all areas. With the upcoming launch of our services Nigeria and India we are well placed to maintain our growth in the future," Mr Omran continued.

"Etisalat provides a full spectrum of services, including fixed-line and mobile voice and data services and television. This enables us to enjoy great synergies in research and development, rapid market entry and pricing. All of these factors and others when combined provide a highly compelling value proposition which is generating strong demand from our customers and strong performance for our investors and partners," Mr Omran continued.

Etisalat's subsidiaries can be located in Afghanistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Indonesia, India, Nigeria, Sudan, Benin, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Togo, the Central African Republic, Niger, the Ivory Coast, Tanzania and the UAE.