to next levelDubai, Dec. 14th, 2006 (WAM)--- Etisalat, the leading telecomoperator in the United Arab Emirates and Cisco, the worldwideleader in networking for Internet, today signed a strategic allianceto bring global standards in managed services to Etisalat's Corporate,and small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs).

The agreement translates into transforming Etisalat as a uniquesupplier to provide its customers with full life cycle management- from preparing and designing to installation, final deploymentand support. Through this approach, Etisalat will be able tooffer services extending into customer premises thereby relievingthem from the hassles of managing today's complex networks.

'Our partnership with Cisco furthers Etisalat's commitment tooffer total solutions while maintaining one interface with ourvalued customers.' said Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, Chief OperatingOfficer of Etisalat. 'With Etisalat's regional and UAE marketknowledge and Cisco's global expertise, we can ensure the provisioningof advanced and unique services to our valued customers. Thesesolutions include state-of-the-art managed data, security, unifiedcommunication and video services' Etisalat and Cisco will work in cooperation in four major areas:Wireline and Mobile Infrastructure, Managed ICT Services developmentand building, whilst addressing the demands of rapidly growingreal-estate sector in the UAE.

'The demand for Managed ICT Services is increasing dramaticallyin the region,' said Samer Alkharrat, Cisco Gulf General Manager.

'The partnership with Cisco will help Etisalat reap benefitsby consistently reducing IT costs while increasing employee productivityand the level of services in the country. Cisco's Managed ICTservices solution removes much of the burden associated withthe enterprise's operational expense and overhead, thus allowingbusinesses to optimize cost and focus on their core business.''We will be working with Etisalat's Sales, Marketing and Engineeringteams in developing those services and taking them to market.

We will make sure Etisalat is supported with the right levelof resources from Cisco to help them succeed in the UAE marketwith Managed ICT services,' said Tarek Jundi, Cisco RegionalManager.

The concept of Managed ICT Services is prevalent in Europe andthe United States, and is currently picking up pace in this region.

Cisco's Managed ICT Services solution helps service providersdeliver comprehensive, higher-quality IT services, leading togreater reliability and availability. In addition to ManagedICT Services, Cisco will continue supporting Etisalat in migratingits network to an all-IP network.