Etisalat's global customer base reaches 94 million

"We have witnessed a significant increase in the number of subscribers which clearly indicates the strong performance of our operations in the UAE and internationally. We will reach 100 million customers soon". said Mohammad Omran, Chairman of Etisalat.

The statements coincides with Etisalat's participation in SAMENA Telecommunications Council's, 'Convergence to Istanbul 2009'.

The event is held from 3-5 November 2009 in the presence of Dr. Tayfun Acarer, Chairman of Information and Communication Technology Authority in Turkey. Themed 'A Broadband Rising...With Efficiencies Maximizing Profitability', this CEO-level annual gathering features a number of high profile speakers and industry experts.

Ahmed bin Ali, Senior Vice President Corporate Communications represented Etisalat in the event shared with the audience a paper on behalf of Etisalat titled "Efficiency Strategies for Reaching Record Results".

The paper highlighted Etisalat successful 33 years history including the time global financial crisis noting that Etisalat maintained year on year 9% growth in net profits and 6% in revenues in 2009.

The paper explained how Etisalat managed to achieve growth in its revenues the last three years faster than pervious years allowing sufficient cash position to finance its operations and strategic expansions. As a result Etisalat became one of the few global telecos to maintain negative debt position. Etisalat has been highly rated by the three credit rating agencies with a stable outlook:

The paper also highlighted how Etisalat excelled in its operations with no adverse effects on the quality of services and has continued to spend where needed, whether it is on infrastructure such as fiber optic network, which will be accomplished in UAE in 2011 making Abu Dhabi the first city in the world be fully connected by this network, or in maintaining the quality of services and networks upgrades. On the other hand Etisalat kept shareholders content with a cumulative annual growth in their earnings over the past years.

Ahmed Bin Ali explained how Etisalat maintained efficiency in its continuous international expansions, saying: "One of the largest areas of expense is in obtaining a new license. We have proven our competence in this area and continue to follow a prudent approach in dealing with financial risks. Here we depend mainly on Etisalat's accumulated experience adhering to the best international standards governing expansion. "Etisalat conducts thorough research and seizes opportunities that help achieve further success of its work and give added value to customers and telecom sector and give our shareholders Exceptional returns".

Etisalat has operations in UAE and Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, India, Nigeria, Benin, Niger, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Togo, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Tanzania and most recently Sri Lanka.

Etisalat offers its customers a full range of telecommunication services and solutions including mobile, fixed-line telephony, Internet, cable TV services to business, government and other telecom companies.

Etisalat has currently the largest international roaming network in the region with more than 520 operators around the world covering more than 190 countries.