ABU DHABI -- Etisalat today announces the launch of its third generation mobile network in the UAE. In doing so the organisation is reinforcing its position as a technology leader, while becoming the first organisation in the Middle East and the Arab World to introduce third generation network.

Third generation wireless services offer enhancements to current applications, including greater multimedia service, video telephony, data speeds, increased capacity for voice and data.

His Excellency the Minister of Communication, Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, became the first user of the network, when he conducted a video telephony call with Etisalat’s President and Chief Executive, Mr. Ali Salem Al Owais, using a third generation mobile phone.

“This is another important milestone in Etisalat’s continuing efforts to provide customers in the UAE with the most advanced telecommunications services,” His Excellency the Minister said. “Personal and business communication is entering a genuine new era of connectivity, content and convergence and Etisalat is leading the way, helping to transform the lives of everyone with its world class technologies.”

The huge amount of interest shown in the live demonstrations on the third generation network services at GITEX 2002 and 2003 by both the general public as well as businesses, encouraged Etisalat to work hard and bring forward our launch date to the end of this year.

The possibilities for this technology are enormous. It will be possible to download video footage, save and view it over and over again. It will also be possible to see and hear friends while taking and sending pictures will be faster than ever before. And playing even faster and better games will be possible.

The focus will initially be on key businesses such as handset manufacturers, content providers and resellers, to make sure the UAE market place is fully conversant with the third generation technology.

His Excellency the Minister of Communication, Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, adds: “In moving to the third generation the UAE now joins just a few countries such as the UK, Germany, Italy , Austria, South Korea and Japan, which have successfully introduced the technology”.

Mr. Ali Salem Al Owais stated “The launch follows the satisfactory completion of all necessary tests, which have been on-going since July 2002”.

“It will create significant added value for customers by providing mobile access to internet-based, multimedia services, video conferencing and streaming,” he said. “In the past mobility was seen as add-on, today we take the first step towards it becoming a fundamental aspect of many of our services,” he said.

Etisalat is committed to developing and applying the latest technology in order to keep the UAE at the forefront of the telecommunications industry and to have an infrastructure with all multimedia applications.

Third generation network will provide a huge opportunity for people in the UAE to easily gather and share personal and professional information while on the move. As services are developed and introduced over the coming months, mobility will no longer need to be regarded as an add-on. These services will be so user-friendly that customers will have no difficulty in using them.

Etisalat