The collaboration between the two companies comes as a part of du’s plan to simplify network rollout and efficiently manage the expected growth in data traffic over its 5G network. It is also aligned with the UAE’s long-term sustainability strategy, and Ericsson is also set to demonstrate its reduced power consumption benefits using its ultralight Massive MIMO radios.

Saleem AlBlooshi, chief technology officer, du, told the media, “At du, we seek to build modern networks that bring about positive transformations in sustainability and in enhancing the efficiency of operations, to meet the demands of our customers at present and in the future. Network modernisation meets the long-term strategic goals of reducing the carbon footprint and implementing the best practices in sustainability through deploying modern technological features that meet the highest standards of sustainability in various operational aspects.”

He added: “Our cooperation with Ericsson to deploy 5G MIMO and RAN solutions is a new step in the endless efforts to achieve the ambitions and goals for the future, as well as embodying the aspirations to enhance the sustainability of operational operations. This is achieved by modernizing the infrastructure to ensure the provision of higher capacity for the network and reducing the carbon footprint. We are confident that in cooperating with Ericsson, we will be able to bring about significant qualitative improvements and positive transformations of the network operations, thereby supporting the UAE vision towards a more sustainable future.”

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Al Hassawi has been holding the role of acting CEO since September 2020. His formal tenure starts at the same time when the company is going through a major restructuring of operations. EITC recently announced that the numbers from their first quarter have provided quite a lift, with overall revenues reaching Dh2.88 billion, which is 5.2 percent higher than the fourth quarter of 2020. It was also reported that mobile-driven revenues amounted to Dh1.31 billion with a subscriber base of 6.8 million.

Mohammad Hadi Al Hussaini, Chairman, du, told the media, “The EITC board has envisaged an ambitious transformational mandate from the inside-out, directed at driving a purpose and performance-driven culture, a faster go-to-market approach, and a deeper and more personalized customer experience.

“To realise these ambitions, Al Hassawi has been appointed to lead EITC into the next phase of growth and expansion. I’m confident that he will build on the momentum that EITC has embarked on and usher in a new accelerated phase of transformation.”

Last year, the EITC also appointed telecom industry veteran and board member Ahmad Julfar as its managing director.
Founded in 2005, EITC is 50.12 percent owned by Emirates Investment Authority, 10.06 percent by Mubadala Investment Company, and 19.7 percent by Emirates International Telecommunication.

Image credits- Zawya.com

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du said in a bourse filing to Dubai Financial Market, “Non-UAE nationals (whether individual or legal entities) are entitled to own shares in the company up to 49 percent of the company’s capital. Local and international telecommunication companies are not permitted to own shares in the company.

“With the exception of the shareholders of EITC holding more than 5 percent in the company’s capital as of the date of this resolution, no individual or legal entities is allowed to own (directly or indirectly) more than 5 percent in the company’s capital.”

Similarly, Etisalat notified the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, “Etisalat Group’s Board of Directors discussed increasing the ownership limit of the Non-UAE Nationals in the Company and resolved to increase such limit from 20 percent to 49 percent of its capital,” the company.”

Last year, Etisalat Group announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer (CEO). The telco appointed Hatem Dowidar as their new chief. Hatem Dowidar took over the company on December 16th and has 30 years of experience in multinational companies.

Dowidar was temporarily promoted to the role of International CEO in May when Saleh Al Abdooli left citing personal reasons. Dowidar joined Etisalat in 2015 and took over the role of Group COO. Previously, he held a number of roles across Vodafone Group and its subsidiaries in Malta and Egypt. He also served as the group chief of staff for Vodafone based in London, reporting to Vodafone Group CEO.

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The new centre will be set up in Rashid Hospital. Both parties will also work to further enhance the services of the respiratory medicine department and the respiratory pulmonary laboratory at the Rashid Hospital.

The agreement was signed at the DHA’s headquarters in Dubai by Ahmed Al Nuaimi, chief executive at Joint Corporate Support Services at the DHA and Salah Amin, chief executive at Emirates Islamic Bank. Humaid Al Qutami, director-general of the DHA and Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, chairman of Emirates Islamic Bank were also present.

Salah Amin told the media, “We are proud to contribute to Dubai Health Authority and support the strategic development plans of Rashid Hospital, one of the UAE’s leading healthcare providers. As  one of the country’s leading Islamic banks, Emirates Islamic is committed to supporting the development of UAE’s healthcare sector in delivering world-class health services that exceed patient expectations and the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position the UAE as a global healthcare hub of the wider Middle East region and beyond.”

Earlier this year, the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention launched an AI-backed healthcare app during the Arab Health 2020 event. The UAE healthcare app is designed to help doctors and medical providers further understand the health conditions of such patients.

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The live millimeter wave 5G site by du is expected to provide ultra-high mobile broadband speeds of up to 2.1Gbps using a 26GHz frequency and at the same time improve coverage, and accelerate the pace of widespread 5G usage in the country.

du, which is owned by Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), is committed to support the UAE’s governments’ plan to digitalise the economy.

Saleem AlBlooshi, Chief Technology Officer at EITC told the media, “du continues to deliver pioneering solutions that enhance best-in-class infrastructure and contribute to the government’s digital transformation agenda. By actively driving the latest innovative technologies and solutions, transformation achieved as a result will boost performance and increases industry standards.”

“The mm Wave frequencies will greatly improve network capacity and allow du to deliver enhanced services to an unprecedented number of mobile users. Furthermore, they will provide cost-effective 5G coverage in high-traffic areas. 5G device sales that support the mm Wave are continually rising and we anticipate higher market availability and wider adoption in the near future.”

Earlier this month, du also announced that it has entered into a partnership with Batelco, Bahrain’s leading mobile operator. Now Batelco customers will be able to use 5G services in the UAE through du’s network.

In 2019, du introduced the fifth-generation cellular network technology in the UAE by hosting live 5G consumer experiences across its retail outlets. UAE was the first country in the Middle East and fourth globally to roll-out 5G network.

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Local media also reported that the number of phone subscribers reached 18,278,817 during the period. While prepaid-service subscribers amounted to 14,655,021, post-paid service mobile subscribers reached 3,623,796.

Reportedly, up to 3,016,318 people subscribed to internet services and around 2,345,578 subscribed to fixed-lines till August 2019.

Recently, Bahrain-based telecom operator Batelco entered into a partnership with du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), to launch 5G international roaming services in the UAE.

Now Batelco’s telecom customers will be able to access 5G by using du’s network in the UAE.

With regard to the partnership with UAE’s du, Batelco chief executive Mikkel Vinter told the media, “The partnership is testament to Batelco’s continuous efforts to provide its customers with solutions that enrich their experience. This agreement becomes one of our 1,560 roaming agreements with international telecommunication companies and we are proud to be the first operator in the Kingdom to provide this service using a 5G network outside of Bahrain.

“Furthermore, we strive to be the leaders in bringing the latest telecom and digital solutions to the Kingdom. Accordingly, we were the first to launch 5G commercially in Bahrain, and today, we are proud to be the first to launch 5G international roaming too.”

Last year, Swedish multinational networking and telecommunications company Ericsson predicted that 5G subscribers in the Middle East and African region will reach 60 million in the next five years.

According to Ericsson, a majority of these telecom subscribers will be from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

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