Etisalat Group announced that Etisalat Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Saleh Al Abdooli as Chief Executive Officer for Etisalat UAE and Mr. Saeed Al Hamli as Chief Executive Officer for Etisalat Misr, one of the largest and the most successful subsidiaries of Etisalat Group, effective April 2012.

A strong leader with a proven track record, Saleh Al Abdooli has been for the past five years the CEO of Etisalat Misr. His leadership years in the Egyptian market have been a great success story in the telecom industry and have earned him a great reputation and several international awards as a leader of one of the best third entrants in mobile operation worldwide. He has achieved remarkable results in the mature Egyptian market that had been dominated for about a decade by a duopoly of two giant operators, Vodafone and Orange (Mobinil).

His Excellency Mohamed Omran, Chairman of Etisalat, said, “Etisalat Group enjoys a wealth of experienced leaders that achieved series of great successes starting since it has started expanding into international investment back in 2004. Etisalat also has invested heavily and continuously in the development of its human capital which is the cornerstone of its success. Today the number of UAE nationals employed in Etisalat’s foreign operations exceeds 70 UAE citizens.”

Omran also stressed that the Etisalat Group utilizes flexible restructuring strategy to reflect the challenging and changing markets conditions.

Al Abdooli has succeeded in breaking the duopoly in the Egyptian market decisively and transforming the industry into a field for innovative competition. He has demonstrated a great ability to meet and exceed challenging business objectives in an extremely tough business environment. Despite the fierce competition, he has led Etisalat Misr from a startup operator to a full-fledged competitor that leads the market in technology, innovation, and growth and sets the standards for competition to adopt and follow. In less five years of operation, Etisalat Misr today covers 99% of the populated areas in Egypt with its 2G/3G networks and leads the market in 3G Broadband subscriber.

Commenting on Saleh Al Abdooli’s appointment as CEO of Etisalat UAE, H.E. Mohamed Omran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Etisalat, said: “Saleh Al Abdooli is the best choice for this position.I am confident that with his demonstrated leadership abilities, Saleh Al Abdooli will take Etisalat UAE to a new level of performance.”

H.E. Ahmed Julfar, Etisalat Group CEO, said: “Saleh Al Abdooli is assuming his new role as CEO of Etisalat UAE at a time when the company needs to continue its innovative leadership and fortify its competitive position in the UAE market. His great execution skills combined with his strong ability to motivate, lead, and improve customer services will be very much needed at the helm of Etisalat UAE.”

Saleh Al Abdooli said: “I am honored and excited to lead Etisalat UAE. Having successfully accomplished my mission in Egypt, I am glad to move to a greater challenge in the UAE and use my experience and expertise to serve my home country. My primary objectives in my new role will be to achieve a high level of staff engagement, better customer experience, and greater value for shareholders.”

Saleh Al Abdooli is a graduate of University of Colorado at Boulder, USA, where he established a brilliant academic record and got his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and his Master’s degree in Telecommunications with honor: GPA 3.99/4.0

Commenting on Al Hamli’s appointment as CEO of Etisalat Misr Julfar added: “Saeed is one of the great Etisalat leaders with a proven track record. He is the right person for the Egyptian. Al Hamli, who comes from diverse technical and commercial backgrounds, enjoys more than 20 years of experience in the telecom industry. Since he joined Etisalat in 1991, he has held a range of managerial and executive positions and demonstrated remarkable performance.”

Al Hamli has worked both inside and outside the UAE, a diverse exposure that has enriched his knowledge of the industry in various competitive business environments. From 2007 to 2011, he worked as the CEO of Etisalat Afghanistan where he achieved excellent business and operational results.

Commenting on Al Hamli’s appointment as CEO of Etisalat Misr, Mohamed Omran, Chairman of Etisalat, said: “Saeed Al Hamil has the right international experience to assume his new role and to continue the remarkable performance of Etisalat Misr in the Egyptian market.”

Al Hamli said: “It is an honor to be appointed CEO of Etisalat Misr at this interesting time in the history of Egypt. I will capitalize on the great success story of the company to achieve new breakthroughs and take the company to a new level of performance.”

Al Hamli holds Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology, USA and Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the American University of Sharjah.

Etisalat enjoys a wealth of experienced leaders. Mr. Nasser bin Obood previously held the position of Acting CEO. During that period he demonstrated great determination and commitment in completing strategic projects and achievements such as Etisalat’s nationwide fibre optic network.

Etisalat’s Board of Directors commended Mr. Nasser’s efforts during his role as Acting CEO and will announce his new leadership role soon.

In the context of the strategic partnership between the Saudi Telecom Company ‘STC’ Group and Apple Corporation, a delegation of Apple corp. led by Mr. Pascal Cagni, the Vice President and also the General Manager for Europe, Middle East, Africa & India paid a visit to the headquarters of STC Group on Monday, in Riyadh.

Visiting Group’s complex to meet with STC leaders, underscores that the meeting was atop of their agenda as well as reflecting the expanding bilateral relations between these two giant firms.

However, the visit reflects, furthermore, their mutual keenness to promote this strategic partnership in order to boost their capabilities to provide clients with the best of services and products, alike, in addition to put solutions at their avail, for any glitches they may face.

During the visit, Apple’s delegation was received by the CEO of STC Group Eng. Saud bin Majed Al-Daweesh and CEO-STC Jameel bin Abdullah Al-Molhem.

The visit falls in line with STC Group aspiration to keep in touch with its world partners in the domain of technology and smart products, a merit that would, eventually, reflected positively on customers, by providing them with the best of up-to-date innovative of the industry, notably on the front of digital solutions and smart technologies.

On this occasion, it is noteworthy that STC has moved ahead of the market by introducing iPhone 4S, thus, managed to maintain its leadership by providing various smart and tablet sets.

Along with that, it launched a host of a new Packages and Options to meet customers’ needs and to keep pace with their expectations.

Milsatcom Middle East spotlights region as key growth area for commercial satellite industry

Abu Dhabi, 23 January, 2012: The global government and military communications market is projected to be worth US$9 billion by 2018, and the Middle East will be a key growth region for the commercial satellite industry, an expert has said today.

Gordon McMillan, Director of Government Services for global satellite network provider Inmarsat, said that the increasing adoption of commercial satellite communication systems by government and military users, coupled with exponential demand for greater bandwidth, presents excellent opportunities for commercial satellite providers.

“As military budgets come under increasing pressure, the commercial satellite industry fulfils an increasingly greater proportion of the communications needs of government and military customers,” said McMillan, who was speaking at Milsatcom Middle East, which opened today at the Park Rotana Hotel, Abu Dhabi.

Organised by Streamline Marketing Group, the two-day conference has been developed specifically to meet the satellite communications needs of the Middle East military, government and security agencies.

Added McMillan: “The impact of this is that in the future, fewer dedicated military satellite communications systems will be launched, and military forces will need to augment military systems with greater use of commercial satellite communications networks.
“Commercial satellite communication systems that are designed with military and government users in mind will provide these users with a greater degree of flexibility in how they fulfill their communications requirements, for land, sea and air operations.”

McMillan was one of thirteen industry speakers at Milsatcom Middle East today addressing delegates on the role of the commercial satellite industry in future military satellite communications operations.  He said that the need for access to greater amounts of information in all forms, including data imagery, live motion video, and voice on large platforms, whether at sea, on land or in the air is stretching the capacity and flexibility of military and commercial systems alike.

He added: “The fluid and asymmetric environments encountered by today’s security forces will become more complex and challenging, both politically, and operationally, placing an even greater emphasis on the need for real-time, accurate information to support decision making.

“Among many others, these trends will present great opportunities for those commercial satellite providers that can assemble and deliver an adaptable combination of a global, secure communications network supported by products, services and applications that enable and enhance the flow of information for military commanders and soldiers.”

McMillan said that according to independent research the global government and military satellite communications market was worth an estimated US$4 billion in 2010.  More than 40 per cent of Inmarsat’s global business is from military and government customers, with the company planning to launch four new satellites in the next three years, adding significantly greater bandwidth and in-orbit resilience to its overall network.

“The Middle East has been, and will continue to be a very important region in the context of government and military communications,” McMillan continued. “Milsatcom Middle East provides an ideal platform for the commercial satellite industry to speak directly with senior regional military commanders to better understand their current and future requirements for satellite communications.”

Milsatcom Middle East features 17 regional and international expert speakers from the commercial military satellite communications industry, discussing changing battleground realities, connectivity, network security, emerging trends and regulatory concerns of one of the most active military satellite communication markets in the world.

Staff Brigadier Hamad Juma al Niyadi, Commander of Electronic Warfare for the UAE Armed Forces delivered the opening address, examining the evolution of military satellite communications in the Middle East.  Joining him was Maj. Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Senior ICT Advisor Center of Excellence & Development of the UAE Armed Forces.

Other panel discussions included military satellite communications trends and opportunities, and challenges while planning next generation military satellite communication services.

Other speakers included Koen Willems, Director, Newtec, Tareq Al Hosani, CEO, Yahsat, Shawkat Ahmed, Chief Commercial Office, Yahsat, Gerard Donelan, Head of Public Sector Projects, SES Astra, Nikolas Faller, Director, EMEA, Astrium, and Robert Cleave, Vice President, Lockheed Martin.  The Conference Chairman was satellite communications consultant John Yates.

Batelco, Bahrain’s leading Telecommunications Company held an opening ceremony to re-launch its revamped shop located at Bahrain International Airport. The shop, which is open 24/7, has been renovated to meet the highest standard of telecom retailing, and provides a wide range of Batelco services including Inet Broadband, Mobile Services & Handsets, Fixed and Business Lines.

“Batelco continuously seeks to provide the best experiences possible for its customers. The airport branch offers a comprehensive array of our products and services in a convenient location within the arrival lounge,” said Batelco Group Media Relations General Manager Ahmed Al Janahi.

Batelco’s Retail Shops can be found in 18 different locations across the Kingdom:-

• Bahrain International Airport - Arrivals Lounge
• City Centre
• Arad - Muharraq Club Commercial Centre
• Manama - BCC (Bahrain Commercial Centre)
• Exhibition Road - GOSI Centre
• Seef Mall
• Bahrain Mall
• Hamad Town - Souk Waqif
• Isa Town - Isa Town Mall
• Riffa - East Riffa Souq
• Najibi Centre - Alosra Supermarket
• Country Mall - Janusan Roundabout
• University of Bahrain - Student Affairs Building
• Sitra Mall - Sitra Area
• The Centre - Nuwaidrat Area
• Al Murjan Centre
• AMA University
• Ramli Mall

Batelco also recently signed a strategic partnership with BBK to provide the Bank’s customers’ with a full range of telecommunication services.

Dubai, November 26, 2011 – In its endeavor to increase coverage, convenience and value for customers, Etisalat today announced its alliance with Lloyds TSB in the Middle East, part of one of the world’s most established and respected banking Groups, to enable Etisalat bill payments through the bank’s branches, powered by Etisalat’s eZeepay service. 

The eZeepay service facility will allow customers to check on their outstanding payments, make payments and renew the Wasel service through payment facilities provided by the banks’ branches. The solution will provide a convenient and alternative payment channel to customers, whilst providing a wider reach and easier accessibility for Lloyds TSB in the Middle East to connect with its customers.

Commenting on this initiative, Paul Baker, Head of Money Transmission and Account Services from Lloyds TSB in the Middle East said: “Not only does this service provide our customers with a more efficient way of paying their Etisalat utility bills, but it also provides us with the opportunity to introduce additional settlement channels through the Ezeepay channel.”

Commenting on the service, Abdulla Ebrahim Al Ahmed, Senior Vice President, Business Solutions at Etisalat said: “Etisalat’s focus has been on developing customer centric solutions that increase the convenience, coverage and value for the end user. Our collaborative initiatives, alliances and innovative services such as eZeepay, not only offer convenience to our customers, but also reiterate our focus on developing customer centric solutions.” 

Etisalat has developed many interactive payment channels for customers including - Online Payment, eZeepay, BizDirect services, mPayment services and Mobile Money Remittance.

Emirates General Petroleum Corporation “Emarat” has launched a unique promotional campaign that offers its customers Etisalat Wasel Sim Card and up to 160-minute free talk time from Etisalat, when they purchase a Salik re-charge card worth AED 200 from any Emarat service station.

Dr. Rahma bin Mohamed Al Shamsi, Retail Sales Manager at Emarat, said that such promotional offers reflect the Corporation’s commitment towards its customers, and its efforts to develop and enhance strong relationships with them through quality service and innovative offers.

“In these tough economic times, we will continue to promote offers from our service stations which motivate customers to make Emarat their first choice

Abu Dhabi, 7 December, 2011: Reaffirming its commitment to Emiratisation, Etisalat Group announced the appointment of Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Alhosani as Acting Chief Executive Officer in Etisalat Afghanistan and Mr. Ahmed Khalfan Al Mutawa as Chief Financial Officer for Etisalat Zantel, Tanzania. The appointments are in line with Etisalat’s strategy to develop UAE Nationals’ skills and providing them with the opportunities to manage international projects.

Alhosani is a key asset to Etisalat, having been assigned various management positions after progressing through the ranks since his joining in 1992. He has served as Deputy CEO of Etisalat Afghanistan since 2010. Alhosani graduated from Toledo University in the US and has a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering.

Ahmed Al Mutawa has held a number of roles within the Corporation in Financial Affairs and Auditing, since he joined in 2001. Before being promoted to Chief Financial Officer for Etisalat Zantel in Tanzania, he served as Vice President for Financial Affairs at Emirates Data Clearing House (EDCH), part of Etisalat Services Holding. Al Mutawa holds a Bachelor degree in Business Applied Administration from Higher Colleges of Technology in Al Ain.

Commenting on the appointments, Mr. Abdulaziz Al Sawaleh, Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Etisalat, stated that Etisalat remains committed towards its Emiratisation strategy and the Corporation continues to focus on training UAE nationals and developing their talents and skills, while encouraging them to take leading positions both locally and abroad. He stated that Emiratis have proven their leadership skills in the most competitive markets, time and time again.

Sawaleh also stressed that Etisalat should utilise its successful status to enhance the position of UAE Nationals, and stated that corporations that do not give back and provide opportunities to its local people will not stay successful in the long term.

“At Etisalat, we’re proud to be one of the key organisations in which Emiratisation is a of our strategy, and the corporation is committed to following approaches that focus on investing in human capital, in order to strengthen its position as one of the key recruiters of qualified personnel in the UAE,” Al Sawaleh concluded.

Muscat, 3 December 2011 – Nawras, Oman’s customer friendly communications provider is delighted to now be offering WiFi services for business entities which can in return sell or offer the services to their own customers. Abdullah Al Rawahy, Nawras Chief Strategy Officer, recently met with Khaled El Dalaty, Operations Manager, Dunkin Donuts, to launch the first Nawras WiFi hotspot in Muscat.

The inaugural Nawras WiFi service was unveiled at the colourful new Dunkin Donuts outlet at Al Khuwair where customers can enjoy a coffee while browsing the internet, checking emails or visiting social networks using this high speed broadband access powered by the reliable Nawras network.

Offered by Nawras Business under their Business Solutions portfolio, this latest service is designed for business customers in the retail industry who wish to offer a regulatory compliant WiFi service to enhance their customers’ experience.

Announcing the start of this new service, Nawras Chief Strategy Officer, Abdulla Al Rawahy, said, “Nawras WiFi service takes broadband usage to a new level. The availability of a secured and legal WiFi service at your establishment that can be sold or offered free to your customers is a reliable way to increase customer footfall and build loyalty for repeat visits.”

Khaled El Dalaty, Operations Manager, Dunkin Donuts, expressed his delight with the new service from Nawras and went on to say, “We at Dunkin Donuts are trying to give our customers exciting and new experiences, we are proud to provide free WiFi to our customers and to be the first company in Oman to offer Nawras WiFi. Everyone wants to stay in contact for business or personal reasons and we are pleased to partner with Nawras in making this possible at our Al Khuwair Dunkin Donuts outlet. We will soon have all Dunkin Donuts outlets covered with Nawras WiFi so that our customers can enjoy the cyber sphere in a Dunkin Donuts atmosphere.”

As with all its products and services, Nawras WiFi is easy to use. Customers simply request a WiFi access card at the same time as they buy their refreshments and then choose the applicable wireless network from their WiFi enabled laptop, tablet or handset. There are only two simple steps to follow in order to receive internet access and benefit from fast Nawras broadband.

In line with the company’s commitment to operating in a responsible way, Nawras is using totally recyclable paper cards for the new WiFi service. Furthermore, the cards are manufactured locally.

Businesses wishing to increase their number of customers by offering Nawras WiFi are invited to visit the company’s award winning website at www.nawras.om/wifi for full details of the service.  Alternatively, speaking to a friendly professional at any Nawras Store or calling 9501 1503 will allow Nawras to explain the great advantages of this pleasingly different service as well as its variety of competitive price plans and great value packages.

Nawras is dedicated to delighting customers in every aspect of their communication experience by delivering caring, excellent and pleasingly different services

Muscat, – Nawras, Oman’s customer friendly communications provider is creating winners every day through its current SMS & WIN promotion and today is delighted to be announcing the first winner of the monthly Toyota Prado prize.  Nawras Chief Executive Officer, Ross Cormack, congratulated Hilal Al Habsi as he presented him with the keys to his new car - the first of three top prizes of Toyota Prados. 

Receiving his fantastic prize, Al Habsi said, “This is the first prize I have ever won. I never expected to win a car and I am overjoyed and really surprised.  This promotion is so easy to enter and I had fun answering the questions.  Now to find myself the owner of a brand new Toyota Prado is truly amazing.  Thank you – I certainly have got more with Nawras!”

To date, more than 30 Nawras winners have already picked up 1000 Omani Rials each. The first Nawras prize winners are shown on the promotion’s website at www.nawras2win.com.  Following each prizewinning draw, winners’ names are added to the list.

Until 7 January 2012, Nawras is giving away 1000 Omani Rials every day as well as a Toyota Prado each month.  To be in with a chance of winning, customers simply enter the SMS & WIN promotion.

Any Nawras customer can join in the thrilling promotion today by simply sending an SMS with the keyword WIN to 91999. This SMS and each subsequent SMS sent to 91999 at just 500 Baiza gives one virtual credit to exchange for wallpaper. Participating customers will also receive a password and a link where wallpaper content can be viewed, selected and downloaded. Virtual credits can be collected and redeemed at any time up until 7 April 2012.

After sending the first SMS with WIN to 91999, customers can start to have fun by answering questions in a Trivia Game, gaining points and increasing their opportunity of winning one of the fantastic prizes on offer. Customers have multiple chances to win by testing their general knowledge on a range of subjects, such as lifestyle, history, geography and sport.

All answers sent via SMS to 91999 (for only 500 Baiza) are rewarded with points.  Correct answers receive 20 points while 10 points are given for an incorrect response. Scores can be boosted through special challenges or by answering questions at certain times of the day when bonus points are available.   As customers collect more points they increase their chance of being one of the daily cash prize winners or monthly winners of the Toyota Prados.

Showing how Nawras customers always get more, not only is there an opportunity to win great cash prizes and luxury cars but for every SMS sent to 91999, Nawras will also be giving away 50 Elite Program points  to collect and redeem for free talk time and free SMS.

Nawras Customer Champions call the winners from customer care number 22001555.  Winning customers are invited to visit the Nawras main office or their local Nawras Store to verify their details and find out how to collect their prize.  Nawras is not asking for any personal information to be given over the phone.

This exciting SMS & Win promotion is running until 7 January 2012. Further information can be found by visiting www.nawras2win.com.

Abu Dhabi, , – Etisalat, the Middle East’s largest telecoms group, and Verimatrix, the specialist in securing and enhancing revenue for multi-screen digital TV services around the globe, have been presented the Global Telecom Business Innovation Award in the Video Service Innovation category for the Etisalat Entertainment Network.

The Etisalat Entertainment Network is a new and secure, regional, end-to-end content delivery platform that is set to accelerate the adoption of digital content services on any screen regionally and is set to be adopted by telcos and ISPs throughout the Middle East and Africa.

Matthew Willsher, Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat, said: “From TV on smart phones, laptops, tablets and PCs to High-Definition and 3D content at home, the Etisalat Entertainment Network has the power to deliver the television services the consumer wants, when they want it, wherever they may be. We have over ten years’ experience of working with television producers and broadcasters and through our extensive investment in next generation networks and our award winning Smart Hub and wholesale team, we have developed a unique and compelling proposition for all operators across the region.”

The Etisalat Entertainment Network will be offered by Etisalat’s Carrier & Wholesale team through its Smart Hub and offered to regional telecommunications and Internet service providers (ISPs). It will enable any operator partnering with Etisalat to provide premium syndicated television content, across multiple screens (TV, smart phones, tablets and computers) via different networks (fixed and mobile) anywhere in their area of operation.

This solution, which has been developed in association with Verimatrix and Etisalat platform partners that have integrated with the Verimatrix platform, ensures that Etisalat Entertainment Network offers broadcasters the ability to have their content delivered to users regardless of the end device with one of the most robust and flexible content security solutions available today.

By incorporating the Verimatrix Video Content Authority Solution (VCAS™) 3 architecture into the Etisalat Entertainment Network’s back-end systems, content owners will be able to publish their content once, and trust that it will be protected and delivered in a controlled way. This provides access to a very large potential audience with the ISP or telcos existing customers through a partnership with Etisalat.

“Verimatrix continues its singular focus on securing revenue streams for operators deploying advanced multi-network, multi-device video services. Etisalat Entertainment Network is clearly one of our most significant and ambitious deployments for IP-based video,” commented Tom Munro, CEO of Verimatrix. “We are proud to have been recognized for our part in this visionary offering.”

The first country to benefit from this new generation of services will be the UAE and by the end of 2011, more than 350,000 subscribers will be enjoying a next generation Etisalat IP and over the top (OTT) service, through many different types of end devices. This will reinforce Etisalat’s position as the largest ‘telco-TV’ operator in the Middle East.

In the near future, these services will be offered to Etisalat’s family of operators in 18 countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East and will also be marketed by its award winning Carrier and Wholesale team to other operator groups in the region.

The Global Telecoms Business Innovation Awards were first presented in 2007, at a dinner attended by 160 industry leaders from around the world. In 2011, twice that number of people attended including chief executive officers, chief technology officers and other leaders from operators and vendors throughout the world.

In presenting the awards Alan Burkitt-Gray, editor of Global Telecom Business, commented: “This is the fifth time we have run the Global Telecoms Business Innovation Awards and this year we saw more nominations, from a greater range of operators and vendors, than ever before. We started the Awards in order to celebrate what the industry is doing, making a huge difference to the world, to all of us in business and as consumers. Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners and to Etisalat and Verimatrix for the Etisalat Entertainment Network.”

For more information please visit www.globaltelecomsbusiness.com, www.verimatrix.com and www.etisalat.ae.