Cisco, du Get Closer

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- du, the United Arab Emirates' new telecommunications operator, has revealed its plans to strengthen strategic relations with Cisco, by exploring the use of the Cisco-enabled Virtual Service Provider (VSP) model. The new model will offer bundled packaged services to meet the voice communications, data services and network security needs of small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs). The agreement was discussed at a meeting between Cisco chairman and CEO John Chambers, du chairman, Ahmad Bin Bayat and Osman Sultan, chief executive officer at du.

The Cisco VSP model will help accelerate du's customer acquisitions and revenues by blending its existing capabilities with those of Cisco, along with its ecosystem of mobility partners. du expects to extend the VSP offering and the related products and services to SMBs and residential markets. Through its cooperation with Cisco, du will also deliver world-class solutions over a pervasive, intelligent and end-to-end IP broadband infrastructure. du and Cisco intend to continue to work together in key technology areas and drive the evolution of du's Internet Protocol (IP) Next-Generation Network architecture.

Osman Sultan, chief executive officer, du said: "du's association with Cisco will ensure that we continue to deliver first-class next generation technologies that are customer-centric. These next-generation IP network developments will enable us to continue to deliver intelligent and customer-centric solutions through new go-to-market models. Through our collaboration with Cisco, we are setting the stage for the introduction of world-class services as well as increasing the value these services have to offer."

"Broadband is a key driver for the future growth of the telecom market in the region. Embarking on such a relationship with a strong global player like Cisco is another step for du to bring intelligent communication solutions to the UAE," added Sultan.

Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Co. (du)

Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO)