(MENAFN Press) H.E. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy, today announced that not only was the UAE placed in the top ten globally for the quality of its broadband service, it is forecast that the UAE will lead the world with 100% broadband penetration by 2012, while mobile market penetration had already crossed the 200% mark.
Using the latest fibre optic technology which is currently being implemented by Etisalat, the ambitious plan has the capability of making the UAE the first country in the world with 100% broadband penetration by the year 2012.
"I am proud of this achievement and what this initiative means for the growth of the telecoms industry, according to the TRA (UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority), spending on telecommunications this year maybe the biggest ever."
Al Mansoori was delivering the keynote address at the Mecom CEO Summit in Abu Dhabi. Top telecoms bosses from around the region have gathered to discuss the latest industry issues and examine, the leading international trends affecting next generation ICT solutions.
Underscoring the rate of progress, Al Mansoori added, "Mobile penetration (usage) rate in the UAE has now crossed 200%, while household broadband penetration currently stands at 40%. According to industry giants Cisco, the UAE is already in the top ten worldwide in terms of the quality of its broadband service."
Al Mansoori went on to say that the TRA has also predicted that the Middle East and Africa will continue to be the fastest growing market globally.
"A perfect example of this is Etisalat, which is at present competing in more than 18 countries and has an estimated 100 million customers," said Binu Pillai, Exhibition Director of IIR Middle East, the organiser of MECOM.
Speaking on behalf of the TRA, Deputy Director General, Majed Al Mesmar, commented, "In 2010, the telecommunications sector contributed 5.5% towards, the UAE's GDP. Collectively, Etisalat and du shared 11 million mobile subscribers, 1.6 million fixed telephone subscribers and 1.4 million intyernet service subscribers generating over AED24 billion."
Other top speakers included, Nasser bin Obood, Acrting CEO Etisalat; Osman Sultan, CEO at du and Ross Cormack, CEO, Nawras. Elsewhere on the programme, the Telecoms Technology Summit presents an unrivaled opportunity where operator CxOs, regulators and decision makers gather to network and to do business, the Telecoms Technology Summit will consider the changing face of the industry, mobile TV and broadband issues.
Two further ICT-dedicated forums for the government/public sector and oil and gas industry will offer a more streamlined approach. With technology becoming increasingly important in the delivery of public services, ICT for Government Forum promises to address key technological issues facing government today.
Meanwhile the ICT for Oil & Gas Forum is a strategic one-day event for senior ICT executives in the oil, gas and industrial sector concerned about emerging trends, technology and opportunities brought by ICT.
MECOM, has also attracted more than 100 exhibiting companies keen to demonstrate their next generation communications technology and solutions for government, healthcare, hospitality, banking & finance, oil & gas, real estate, retail, manufacturing, logistics and media sectors. The event will be open from 10 am “ 6 pm daily until Wednesday 18 May.
