Page 8 - SAMENA Trends - November 2020

FEATURED SAMENA TRENDS

this time of uncertainty, our primary goal is More than 10 million Etisalat mobile new businesses and large enterprises
to keep our valuable customers, employees subscribers enjoyed free browsing to specifically the most impacted during
and society fully connected. over 800 websites related to education, the pandemic mainly the hospitality
health and safety in addition to free mobile and airlines industry. With video
Q. What are the special initiatives Etisalat data being made available to over 12,000 communication becoming key for virtual
adopted and implemented to help students whose families do not have meetings and facilitating work from
organisations navigate during today’s Internet at home to support and enable home for government departments and
times? distance learning. businesses, Etisalat offered this service
free during the peak of the pandemic.
A. In the ‘New Normal’ for the telecom We have always catered to people with
industry it is about developing a dynamic determination by offering specific services, With employees coming back to work, it
workforce strategy that is critical to keep during this period parents and teachers was important for all businesses to keep
the global economy sustainable with of these students were exempted from their establishments safe, Etisalat had
emerging opportunities for companies Internet Calling Plan fees. Etisalat also specific solutions to help them manage
and industries. It is also about rising provided access to 9 apps and platforms these challenging times. Transforming
to the challenge helping people and for distance learning, allowing visual and business was also key for surviving and
organisations to navigate these massive audio communications: Google Hangouts, managing business efficiently, Etisalat’s
workforce shifts while underlining the Microsoft Teams, Blackboard, Zoom, web solutions helped new and existing
need for leaders to accelerate the adoption Skype for Business, Cisco Webex, Avaya businesses to engage across digital
of digital innovation to help outmaneuver Spaces, BlueJeans and Slack on its fixed platforms and also supporting them to
uncertainty. and mobile network in collaboration with build an online interface.
the TRA.
Businesses, governments and citizens Q. What is Etisalat doing to accelerate
require services to evolve with the global Our initiative ‘We Pay the Difference’ for digital transformation and innovation
health and economic environment consumers on elife plans gave an option reducing the digital divide gap and
changes. With the world anxiously awaiting to upgrade speeds at no extra charge more increasing digital readiness?
an effective vaccine until then the priority is than enough to work from home and stream
to re-energise all our operations internally their favorite content accompanied with A. The telecom network is the backbone
and externally for Etisalat. Special multiple options for entertainment. From of an economy and plays a significant
initiatives were introduced to support the doubling up of allowances to supporting role in bringing digital transformation
entire community during the peak of the subscribers both business and consumers and innovation in UAE. Etisalat’s network
pandemic and to continue serving in the by waiving or refunding some charges, was recognised as the fastest in the
‘New Normal’ making it easier to study, Etisalat made sure that all support was world, which is in line with UAE’s goals
work, entertain and remain connected with provided in the current situation. of becoming a smart nation and ready to
family and friends from the comfort of their serve the ‘New Normal’. This has also led
homes. For companies, there were specific the digital economy to contribute towards
relief plans for small business owners, the local GDP in 2019 touching 4.3 percent
with a dedicated Minister of State for
Digital Economy, AI and remote working
applications appointed to focus on this
area and double these numbers. *3

The global recognition of Etisalat’s
network is a testament to its leadership
and readiness to address the future
requirements of the network. The
recognition is a result of the company’s
long-term vision and strategy with Etisalat
continually investing in innovation, next-
generation technologies and services to
enhance the network.
With communication and connectivity
gaining more significance and demand
more than ever during the pandemic, telcos
play a critical role in closing this gap of
digital readiness by becoming the engines

8 NOVEMBER 2020