Etisalat 'on course' for world top 10 by 2010

PHONE TARGET: Etisalat aims to be one of the world's top 10 phone operators by 2010. (Getty Images)

Etisalat has announced its international subscriber base across its 17 markets has exceeded 74 million, including fixed-line, internet, cable TV and mobile subscribers.

These figures were announced by Mohammed Hassan Omran, chairman of Etisalat's national, regional and international companies.

“Etisalat is in its strongest position ever and is on course to achieving its goal of being one of the top 10 operators in the world by 2010.

"Our growing subscriber base is an indicator of the strong performance of our international subsidiaries, and our success in growing market share even in the most competitive markets,” he said.

The company posted a 19-percent rise in third-quarter profit earlier this week, meeting analysts' forecasts, as it added more users in a saturated home market and expanded abroad.

The second-largest Arab telecom firm by market value posted profit in the three months ended September 30 of 2.1 billion dirhams ($571.7 million).

Earlier this year the company was ranked as one of the 20 largest operators in the world and the largest in the Arab world by the Financial Times.

It was later ranked the fastest growing mobile operator in the world in a second study from the Informa Group.

Combined, the Etisalat family of operators services 74 million subscribers out of a total population of 1,600 million.

“With the upcoming launch of our services in Nigeria and India we are well placed to maintain our growth in the future,” Omran added.

Etisalat’s subsidiaries are located in Afghanistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Indonesia, India, Nigeria, Sudan, Benin, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Togo, the Central African Republic, Niger, the Ivory Coast, Tanzania and the UAE.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Etisalat
Posted by Leo, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Wednesday 22 October 2008 at 15:34 UAE time

Etisalats services are rubbish. Allow foreign operators in the UAE! lets get orange out here.

Terrible Customer Service
Posted by Mimi, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 22 October 2008 at 08:27 UAE time

If we, customers, had any say in this or any choice they would not be where they are now…on their way to top 10! If I had any choice I would never subscribe to any of their service but unfortunately I have no choice. Some of the residential bldgs have set operators and you can not pick and choose which operator you want. I dealt with both, DU and Etisalat as I moved apartments and I am not sure which one is worst. DU has a billing issue definitely and they are disorganized...they are new so i get that. But Etisalat on the other hand…has terrible customer service. The one that makes you pull your hair out when you speak to them and need help. They are dragging existing issues, such as change of land line package type, for months! Their customer rep have no idea what the heck they are doing and all they can tell you on the phone is “sorry, but we can not help you on the phone…you must visit our business center”. Why for God’s sake! Why do I have to take a day off just to visit Etisalat business branch all the way on the Sheikh Zayed Rd when I live all the way in Marina and work 6 days a week! You go through so much trouble just to get a phone or Evision hooked up! Satellite dish on the bldg is prohibited (as per bldg. owner) so I have no other choice unfortunately!

Etisalat
Posted by Michael Ayers, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 21 October 2008 at 15:12 UAE time


Actually in Europe as well in America, Etisalat wouldn't even qualify to be in the top 10 list of operators. As they've monopolised the entire market in the UAE until DU came along. Which is still goverment run and therefore not allowed to be any meaningful competition to Etisalat.

This ofcourse fine because this is allowed in the UAE. But Etisalat shouldn't try to compete with foreign operators when they don't allow competition as is required by all foreign regulators in Europe and America

Etisalat 'on course' for world top 10 by 2010
Posted by Mathew M G, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 21 October 2008 at 08:34 UAE time


Just with monopoly Etisalat survived 'best' till Du arrived and Du still has to establish properly. Try allowing foreign operators in UAE and then wait till 2010 and judge the position.

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