Businesses to enjoy broadened reach within Asia-Pacific

Dubai, 20 November 2006 - Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), Asia's leading communications group, and the UAE's Emirates Telecommunications Corporation, Etisalat, will now offer Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP-VPN) services to customers in the UAE and the Middle East.

With this agreement, SingTel can now offer business customers seamless network connectivity and IP services in the Middle East via Etisalat's dedicated network and IP-VPN solutions.  Etisalat will also enjoy a broadened reach within Asia Pacific via SingTel's ConnectPlus IP-VPN services and network coverage.

Bill Chang, SingTel's Executive Vice President for Business, said: "Our partnership with Etisalat further strengthens our position as a player with strong global connectivity.  SingTel is in an excellent position to offer customers convenient, seamless and cost effective solutions that support their communication needs and overseas operations to and from anywhere in the world."

"The UAE is the gateway and business centre of the Middle East, and we are pleased at the opportunity to support the UAE's push to become a major financial hub. It is therefore fitting to establish our presence and facilitate our capability of meeting the growing international demand for communication links by companies that are expanding their footprint into the Middle East."

"This partnership also signifies a step closer for SingTel to become the top IP-VPN provider in the Asia Pacific."

Ahmed Abdulkarim Julfar, Chief Operating Officer, Etisalat, said: "Our strategy to expand our international partnerships stems from our understanding of the needs of businesses to communicate between locations and coordinate their operations. With this international IP-VPN service, business customers can reap the benefits of international connectivity, increasing their productivity and efficiency by minimising the limitations of distance. A solution such as the IP-VPN service is a smart investment for a business, with returns assured within a short period."

SingTel ConnectPlus suite of international data services covers major business cities in Asia Pacific and beyond. Extended coverage is offered through the global and domestic data services of SingTel's partners, such as Etisalat in the UAE.  SingTel set up its first Middle East office in Dubai late last year.

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Note to editors:
ConnectPlus IP-VPN is a high quality, fully managed and secure networking service, designed to provide a complete and reliable integrated communications solution to address customers' business needs.

About Etisalat
Established in 1976, Emirates Telecommunications Corporation - Etisalat - is known as an innovative and reliable provider of telecommunications, Internet and related services in the UAE. The Corporation is ranked by Financial Times as one of the Top 500 companies in the world in terms of market capitalization, and the sixth largest in the Middle East according to the UK-based The Middle East magazine.

Etisalat serves over 5.3 million mobile customers in the UAE, a penetration rate of over 125 per cent. In 2005, Etisalat announced revenues of AED 12.9bn, and net profits of AED 4.3bn. For more information about Etisalat please visit the Company website at www.etisalat.ae

About SingTel 
SingTel is Asia's leading communications group with operations and investments around the world. Serving both the corporate and consumer markets, it is committed to bringing the best of global communications to customers in the Asia Pacific and beyond.

With significant operations in Singapore and Australia (through wholly-owned subsidiary SingTel Optus), the Group provides a comprehensive portfolio of services that include voice and data services over fixed, wireless and Internet platforms.

To serve the needs of multi-national corporations, SingTel has a network of 37 offices in 19 countries and territories throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States. These offices enable SingTel to deliver reliable and quality network solutions to its customers, either on its own or jointly with local partners.

The Group also has major investments in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. Together with its regional partners, SingTel is Asia's largest multi-market mobile operator, serving 92 million customers in seven markets.

SingTel employs about 20,000 people worldwide and had a turnover of S$13.14 billion (US$8.12 billion) and net profit after tax of S$4.16 billion (US$2.57 billion) for the year ended 31 March 2006. More information can be found @ www.singtel.com and www.optus.com.au

For further media information, please contact:
Ahmed Bin Ali,
Manager Corporate Communications, Etisalat
Tel: 971 2 6182173
Fax: 971 2 6334448
PRD@etisalat.ae
www.etisalat.ae

© Press Release 2006