Dubai, 27 May 2009: In-line with its commitment to bring top of the line telecommunication services to its customers, du today announced the introduction of new building infrastructure guidelines supporting FTTx technology. This will benefit all categories of property developments to include existing and new projects, in terms of providing state of the art, future proof telecommunications and multimedia services to their tenants.

Existing and future property developments will benefit from the latest building infrastructure guidelines from du leading to increased flexibility in installing telecom infrastructure, reduced efforts and space, less complexity in managing electrical installations. These guidelines cover different building types like residential villas, buildings, commercial towers, shopping malls and others. It is structured to cover all aspects of telecom infrastructure such as telecom spaces, electromechanical works, pathways and telecom cables specs. The complete guidelines are available for viewing and download on www.du-noc.ae

Hatem Mohammed Bamatraf, SVP Network Development, du, said: "Our new guidelines underscore our commitment to offer the best telecom and multimedia services to our customers in the UAE. These have been designed using our experience and is in continuation of our strategy to roll-out FTTx technology in the UAE. It is an effort to engage with property developers to offer telecom services. The guidelines are intended to ensure flexibility and adaptability in building architecture while maintaining the quality and standard of telecom installations. By introducing these streamlined guidelines, our intention is to engage with the developers at an early stage of building construction and swiftly identify and resolve issues."

FTTX overview:

FTTx is a form of fiber optic communication delivery in which the optical signal reaches the end user's living or office space. It can carry high-speed broadband services integrating voice, data and video on a single connection.

Other acronyms such as FTTP, or FTTB are used, but these are essentially interchangeable. FTTH is becoming the catch-all description for all fiber to the home, premises, business and "x" technologies.

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About the brochure:
The brochure provides design guidelines for in-building fibre infrastructure to enable property developers to deliver high-quality, future-proof telecommunications and multimedia services to their tenants. It also guides property developers through a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) process that includes design validation, materials checking and site inspections, through to final implementation.

About du
du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, launched mobile telecommunication services in February 2007 across the UAE, in addition to internet and pay TV services that du provides in some of the free zones of Dubai. Call Select, du's nationwide fixed line services for voice telephony, was launched in July 2007. By the end of 2008, over 3 million people in the UAE chose to become du customers.

Among du's many firsts is its historic Number Booking Campaign for both individuals and business, Pay by the Second billing system, Mobile TV, Mobile Payments, first of its kind 'WoW' recharge card (which offers customers the choice between more credit, more time and now 'more international' recharge option with additional credit on international calls) and Self Care.

For business customers, du business offers include Closed Business User Group and preferred International Destinations. du Broadcast Services division brings scalable media technology platforms and telecommunication solutions to the broadcast community through its world class teleport (Samacom) and Master Control Room (MCR) facilities.

du products and services for consumers and business are available through du's retail network, currently numbering 30 du shops located in strategic locations across the UAE, more than 3000 authorized dealers  Or through du e-shop, accessible at http://www.du.ae/en/where-to-buy/eshop.html. du shops are a one stop shop for mobile service, carrier select and the payment of the service bills.

du is 39.5 percent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 19.75 percent by Mubadala Development Company, 19.5 percent by Emirates Communications & Technology Company LLC and the remaining stake by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades under the name du.

Awards to date

• du presented with an award for Best Middle Eastern Local Currency Deal 2008 by UK's EuroWeek

• du won two prestigious awards at UAE Web Awards 2008. du e-shop portal won the best strategic online portal award in the e-commerce category and du media club website won the bronze award in the media and press category.

• du corporate brand launch campaign awarded a Cristal MENA award in 2008

• du declared 'Best Brand' at Telecoms World Awards Middle East 2007 for innovative branding and outstanding brand success

• Second place in the New Brand Launch category at the GMR Effectiveness in Marketing Awards 2007

• Silver Award for the best website in the ICT category at the UAE Web Awards 2007

• du WoW TV Commercial awarded amongst the best 50 TV commercials in mobile telecom category in the world for 2007

For further information, please contact:
Saugat Chatterjee
Public Relations Manager
Brand & Communications
du
Mobile: +971 55 9367045
Email: saugat.chatterjee@du.ae

© Press Release 2009