mGovernment services will further empower Citizens, Residents and the Economy

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 22, 2013

Etisalat is committed to support the UAE Government to realise its vision of mGovernment, utilising mobile services for a wide range of state services, Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, the Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Group, said today.

"Etisalat is mobilising its resources to achieve His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision of implementing mGovernment throughout the UAE," said Mr Julfar, who spoke on a panel at the Mobile Government forum at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City.

"Etisalat has partnered with the UAE Government for many years and we will continue to do so as it evolves into one of the most technologically advanced administrations in the world," he added. "When we do this with the help of clear regulations and governance, we will further empower the economy."

Mobile Government is aimed at reducing the cost and response time of government services, while enabling users to access them from any place at any time. It can also have the effect of increasing national efficiency and productivity, improving citizen communication and engagement.

Etisalat has partnered with the government to develop mobile applications for the ministries of health, the environment and the economy, and for Dubai Airport Free Zone. Also, Etisalat has partnered with Emirates Identity Authority to develop an auditable and verifiable identity management system that is one of the initial steps needed to implement Mobile Government.

"We have the infrastructure, knowledge, experience that will enable us to implement this ambitious plan in conjunction with the Government," Mr Julfar said. "Our digital services unit is leading the field in development and innovation, and has signed a series of partnerships with international operators and technology vendors to jointly develop and deliver the most advanced technology and know-how."

Etisalat has already invested billions of dirhams in the UAE's communications infrastructure, including "LTE" mobile fourth-generation networks and comprehensive fibre optic networks that have made the country the most connected fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) nation in the world. To lay the foundation for future success, Etisalat advocates that the Government implements key performance indicators and goals throughout ministries and government bodies related to the creation of a Mobile Government, focuses on developing user-friendly applications, and initiates a design and trial phase of the new technology as soon as possible.

"This initiative will accelerate the UAE Government ambition into the digital age, it will form an extension of our joint work with the UAE's government and will pave the way for many more years of cooperation and support" Mr Julfar said.

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About Etisalat:
Strong commitment to excellence and innovation has seen Etisalat become one of the world's fastest-growing telecom groups, rapidly expanding across Asia and Africa. Its UAE operations, strategically located at the crossroads of East and West, enables Etisalat to be the major hub in the Middle East for Internet, voice, broadcast, roaming and corporate data services. Etisalat has been recognised as 'Best Operator' 10 times since 2006 and 'Best Wholesale Provider' four times in the last three years. Servicing 141 million customers in 15 countries Etisalat continues to reach out to new customers and markets.

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© Press Release 2013