TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
228
The United Arab Emirates, from its beginning, has laid high emphasis on fostering an independent, advanced media and telecommunications sector through incorporating the latest in technology. Connectivity form a key component of any nation’s progress and the UAE has been a regional leader in the creation of a media and technology hub for the region. Its success is evidenced in the fact that the Global Information Technology Report 2009 – 2010 by the World Economic Forum ranks it 23rd in terms of networked readiness, placing the nation at the top in the wider Arab World. The UAE started investing in these key sectors right from the inception of the federation with the setting up of Etisalat, the first telecommunication operator in the UAE, in 1976. As the world moved towards the globalization of media and the advent of internet paved the way for greater informationsharing, Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City were launched to harness the potential in these areas. The UAE’s encouragement of enabling a strong media and technology sectors in the Arab world has resulted in some of the biggest names basing the regional as well as global headquarters in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These include CNN International, BBC World, Bloomberg, Al Arabiya, National Geographic and MBC Group. Etisalat is the realization of the UAE’s vision of becoming a Telecommunications hub for the Middle East. The telecommunications operator provides a comprehensive range of telecommunications service, including fixed-line telephony, fixed and wireless internet access, cable TV and
The Highflyers
mobile coverage. Its presence presently encompansses 18 nations across the Middle East, Asia and Africa with a continuing aggressive expansion in emerging markets. The advent of Du, the nation’s second operator, has also resulted in fostering a healthy competition to create newer inroads in this field. Thuraya Telecommunications Company, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, has managed to become one of the global market leaders in providing satellite telecommunications within just over a decade. It currently covers more than 140 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Warid Telecom International LLC, established by Abu Dhabi Group, has also managed to be a major player in the telecommunications sector internationally with a focus on setting up ventures in the emerging markets where growth is projected. It currently provides services in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Congo and Uganda with plans of expanding its services in Ivory Coast. Furthemore, Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba Group’s TA Telecom has also made successful forays in the regional telecommunications sector through executing some of the most advanced projects in the field. Leading the way in creating global innovations, Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), focuses on investments in the advanced technology sector. It is presently playing a crucial role by investing in leading-edge companies globally, while developing Abu Dhabi as a hub for the industry, specifically semiconductors.