Page 64 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2020
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ARTICLE  SAMENA TRENDS

        Etisalat  on its  part has continuously  focused  on innovation
        as  part  of  its  strategy  ‘Driving the digital  future  to  empower
        societies’  embedded  within its DNA manifested  across the
        business.

        Dr  Ahmed bin Ali, Group Senior  Vice President,  Corporate
        Communications, Etisalat takes us through the success journey
        and the evolution of connectivity over four decades

        The beginning of the telecom revolution
        In 1976, Etisalat began its journey on the formation of the UAE
        as the first national telecom provider and then launching the
        first  mobile  network.  With  technology  evolution  and  as  the
        needs  of  consumers  evolved,  in  1986,  the  first  optic  network
        was launched setting a path for next generation services.
        The year 1989 also witnessed  the launch  of the Etisalat
        University  (now  Khalifa  University).  This  was  in  line  with  our
        overall digital vision and strategy that encouraged  strategic
        learning in futuristic technologies and play an essential role in
        shaping the talent landscape and identifying the right skill for
        new technology.

        The  culture and collaboration  within the organisation based
        on our core values have helped build future capabilities, skills
        bridging the gap between current and future digital requirements
        and accelerate digital learning expertise.
        Transforming the network
        With the beginning of the next decade, Etisalat has set global
        strides by  diversifying its  business,  making  a  bigger  impact
        with  5G  technologies  and  laying  the  foundation  for  the  next
        generation of technology.


        This was  all  possible due  to the solid groundwork  by  our
        predecessors in the 90s and leading the way in the regional and
        digital telecom sector. In 1994, Etisalat launched its first GSM
        network in the Middle East with the SMS service becoming a
        platform for various businesses and verticals to move away
        from traditional advertising platforms.

        The 90s  witnessed a  revolution in  the telecom  sector,  with
        Etisalat offering internet services for the first time in the region
        in  1995  and  the  first  broadband  internet  service  via  ADSL
        technology in 1999. This laid the foundations for the future of
        digital services and solutions for generations to come.

        With the launch of path breaking services in the 90’s there was
        no looking back, consumers for the first time experienced cable
        TV services, mobile data, MMS and 3G.

        The year 2000 witnessed the launch of the first cable TV services
        from e-vision and Etisalat Academy a provider for telecom and
        technology  training. In 2002, Etisalat consumers  experienced
        mobile data on a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) network
        enabling data transfers through cellular networks giving them
        an opportunity to use it for mobile internet, MMS and other data



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