Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, December 17th, 2012

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) last night held a ceremony to celebrate a successful end to the year which saw the United Arab Emirates host ITU Telecom World 2012, the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-12) and the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12). The three ITU (International Telecommunication Union) events were held with the support of the Etisalat Group, the leading broadband communications enabler in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The ceremony, held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai, saw Etisalat honoured for their role as one of the leading supporters and sponsors of the ITU events held from October until December in the UAE.

Commenting on this occasion, H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, Director General - Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, said: "This is a proud moment for the United Arab Emirates as the first nation in the Middle East to host these international conferences, influencing the telecommunications industry both in the region as well as globally.

"The telecommunications sector has witnessed many achievements this year and was able to raise the UAE's significance regionally and globally, such as with the support of Etisalat heading the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, and I would like to thank Etisalat for their unwavering support."

Etisalat Group was the platinum sponsor of the ITU World 2012 opening ceremony which was held in October 2012 and coincided with GITEX Technology Week 2012. H.E. Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, chief executive officer, Etisalat Group, provided a keynote address that discussed a new era for the telecommunications sector, and Etisalat's vision for the future of ICT regulations.

The Global Standards Symposium, part of the ITU's World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, was chaired by Nasser Bin Obood, Chief Government Relations and Corporate Communications Officer, Etisalat Group. The meeting covered three major areas including the challenges to standardisation in the ICT and telecommunications industries, the opportunities that cooperation can deliver in areas including healthcare, transportation and utilities, and strategies for bridging the gaps in establishing standards across regions and markets.

The World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) hosted over 2,000 delegates from 193 Member States to renegotiate the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs), the binding global treaty facilitating global interconnection and interoperability of information and communication services, their efficient operation and their widespread public availability.

H.E. Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, chief executive officer, Etisalat Group, said: "Etisalat Group is proud to be recognized as a stand-out participant and supporter of the TRA and the ITU conferences, the culmination of which was one of the most open and transparent conferences that sets clear goals and targets on future efforts to assist developing countries, on promoting accessibility to persons with disabilities, and on asserting all people's right to freedom of expression over ICT networks.

"We look forward to working closely with the TRA over the coming years to set a pioneering example for the global telecommunications industry in providing a platform for future growth, as well as innovative and community-driven services."

The ceremony was attended by H.E. Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, chief executive officer, Etisalat Group, H.E. Saleh Al Abdooli, chief executive officer, Etisalat UAE, and Mr. Nasser Bin Obood, Chief Government Relations and Corporate Communications Officer, Etisalat Group.

-Ends-

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 over 130 million customers in 15 countries Etisalat continues to reach out to new customers and markets.

For more information:
www.etisalat.com
Etisalat Media Desk
E: sking@etisalat.ae
T: +971 50 2205118
L: +9712 618 2173
F: +9712 632 4223

© Press Release 2012