Etisalat demonstrates commitment to change and innovation at GITEX 2004

The corporation demonstrated this by showcasing breakthrough products and technologies, demonstrating its innovative mindset and reaching out to its business partners and the IT trade at the biggest single stand ever in GITEX history.

Mohammed Hassan Omran, Acting President and CEO, Etisalat, said: "In keeping with our GITEX theme of 'looking forward', we decided to make our participation at GITEX 2004 a milestone event. We have always viewed GITEX as a great opportunity not only to make a statement of commitment but also as a time to connect with our customers and partners".

Obaid Bin Mes'har, Senior Executive Vice President, Etisalat, said: "The opportunity presented by GITEX 2004 to display our range of products and services that are already deployed and those to be launched is unmatched. Etisalat's pervasive GSM solutions and networked telephony services, as well as its complete Internet and e-business offering through eCompany were major attractions for visitors to our stand."

While Network Services saw enthusiastic response from customers at their demonstrations of video calls and SMS from fixed lines, Mobile Services drew the crowds especially to the demonstrations of live TV to 3G mobiles, the demonstration of Location Based Services and mobile electronic wallets. Visitors to this section who used the 'Wasel' prepaid service were also offered the opportunity of topping up their charge by Dhs.5, at no cost.

Mohammed Al Fahim, Executive Vice President, Etisalat, said: "We will now work towards the commercial launches of these services with renewed enthusiasm. Both mobile and networked telecommunication subscribers will be able to enhance their user experience in the very near future."

Apart from many viewers at the displays, there have also been major business enquiries and even some sign-ups. A neighbour of the Etisalat stand at GITEX 2004, US Robotics, has signed up for the Advanced Free Phone Service (Service 800), and their customer service number, based in Ireland, can now be reached toll free from the UAE by calling 800-USR (800-877).

eCompany saw a host of corporations and businesses who evinced interest in its one-stop offering of bundled Internet and e-businesses services customised to suit individual customer requirements. Besides signing up with FOHMICS Corp. and Netlink Inc. under the eCompany Solutions Partner Programme, they launched the eCompany Finance Channel, new and completely revamped web-hosting services, and the Website Builder Service.

Commenting on its participation at GITEX 2004, Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, General Manager, eCompany, said: "Our efforts to make varied audiences understand the eCompany scope and its end-to-end solutions and bundled services approach have been fruitful."

Humaid Rashid Sahoo, Chief Executive Officer E-Vision, said: "We announced the overhaul of e-Games, our interactive gaming channel, and promoted e-View, our pay-per-view service. E-Vision also demonstrated the provision of high-speed Internet service over a fiber-optic line network while showcasing high-tech TV entertainment."

Ahmed Bin Ali, Manager Public Relations, Etisalat, said: "Our presence at GITEX 2004 has been all that we hoped and more. From the perspective of getting closer to our customer, our community and our media outlets, a platform like GITEX is unmatched. As with previous years, we come out of this year's event with a deeper appreciation of the organization of the event and the opportunities presented. Our stand next year will be even more exciting, and we hope that we will have as much good news to announce next year as we did this year."