Page 7 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

FEATURED SAMENA TRENDS

We also demonstrated AI, robotics, IoT, AR and VR many others.
technologies, with autonomous transportation in mobility, Etisalat also became the first telco in MENA
robotics in healthcare, underskin implants in the retail area to provide indoor 5G coverage in selected
and a unique 5G VR experience in entertainment. Many of buildings in the country. Abu Dhabi airport
became the first international terminal to
these technology showcases made their presence for the be powered with indoor ultra-high speed
first time globally on our stand during GITEX 2019. 5G connectivity.

2019, so far has been a landmark year for
Q. How do you evaluate Etisalat’s Our success in 5G was not built overnight Etisalat 5G advancements, but this is only
performance in 2019 so far? but due to our long term planning and the beginning.
investments in our infrastructure, first
A. Etisalat Group demonstrated strong trials and strategic partnerships started as 5G today has opened up
performance during the first half of the far back as 2014.
year due to our sincere efforts to drive a world of opportunities
growth and invest in future networks while Etisalat set a major benchmark in the for operators spurring
focusing on enabling innovation, transform industry by becoming the first telco
the ecosystem and accelerating digital in MENA in May 2018 to launch the innovation across many
transformation across our operations. commercial 5G network providing fixed industries to provide a
wireless service in the UAE. platform enabling emer-
Etisalat Group achieved AED 25.9 billion
of revenues while consolidated net profits This was followed by another major gent technologies to
reached AED 4.4 billion representing 3.1 substantial breakthrough in our 5G become an integral part of
percent increase YoY. journey by connecting and partnering with
Expo 2020 as the first major commercial our economy and lifestyle.
In terms of subscribers in UAE for the H1 customer in the Middle East, Africa and 5G is expected to open
of 2019, it reached 12.4 million subscribers South Asia (MEASA) region to access 5G growth opportunities
while aggregate base reached 143 million, services. Etisalat connected Expo 2020
representing a year over year increase of Dubai to its network, leading it to be the first for the telecom industry
2%. World Expo to witness the 5G revolution. with forecasted global

Reaching the top is hard but maintaining a In May 2019, Etisalat was the first telecom revenues to touch $2.2
leadership position is harder. Etisalat has operator in MENA to enable its customers trillion in the next 10
successfully achieved the most valuable to experience the power of the 5G network
brand in the Middle East, and the most and release the first 5G handset before years.
valuable portfolio brand in the MENA
region for the third year in a row.

Our portfolio surpassed USD 10 bn, a great
feat that puts Etisalat head to head with
global renowned brands and ahead of
many key regional brands.

Q. Etisalat has set many benchmarks in 5G,
can you take us through your 5G journey?

A. 5G today has opened up a world of
opportunities for operators spurring
innovation across many industries to
provide a platform enabling emergent
technologies to become an integral part of
our economy and lifestyle. 5G is expected
to open growth opportunities for the
telecom industry with forecasted global
revenues to touch $2.2 trillion in the next
10 years.

7 OCTOBER 2019