Brussels/ Abu Dhabi - ETISALAT joins ETNO as observer member, strengthening further ETNO presence in the Middle East Region. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and with operations in 17 markets across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, Etisalat Group is one of the world’s fastest growing telecommunications groups serving more than 167 million customers with Internet, voice, broadcast, roaming and corporate data services from both fixed and mobile platforms.

Commenting on Etisalat Group’s membership Group CEO Mr Ahmed Julfar thanked ETNO for accepting Etisalat Group into its cadre and went on to comment, “Membership of ETNO is a significant step in our international engagement strategy allowing Etisalat Group the opportunity to share in the knowledge and experience of its distinguished membership which includes some of the largest telecommunications service providers in the world. Europe has always been at the vanguard of policy and regulatory development for the telecommunications sector and is expected to remain so. It is therefore strategically important that Etisalat Group not only understands but also helps to shape the development of the future policy and regulatory frameworks that will affect our industry at a global level”.

Luigi Gambardella, ETNO Executive Board Chair says: “ETNO is delighted to welcome ETISALAT as observer member, providing ETNO members with expertise and input on rapidly growing telecoms markets in the Middle East region. As one of the largest telecoms groups in the world, ETISALAT will bring an important contribution to the ongoing debate on the future of the sector”. 

Valued in excess of AED 80bn ($20bn) Etisalat Group is the largest operator and one of the largest companies overall in the Middle East.

Fuelled by its vision and strategic expansion into fast-growing emerging markets Etisalat Group continues to outperform financially with Etisalat Group revenues in 2011 exceeding AED 32bn ($8.7bn) and profits reached AED 11.6bn ($3.16bn). Financial performance is matched in products and service delivery with roll out of the first 4G LTE network in the UAE. ETISALAT is also recognised as a leader in Digital ICT, mobile healthcare and electronic commerce delivery platforms.

‪For more information, please contact: Thierry Dieu, ETNO Director for Communications and Public Policy Tel: (32-2) 219 32 42 Fax:  (32-2) 219 64 12 E-mail: dieu@etno.be