Etisalat ‘s global ranking soars

The global rating of the fifth Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operator, Etisalat, has continued to soar ahead of its commercial launch in the country.

According to the Financial Times rankings (FT500) released recently, Etisalat rose from 444 in the year 2007 to 219 in 2008, in what the ranking described as the equivalent to 14th position in the telecoms sector globally, that is, when compared with fixed and mobile operators, especially within the Middle East and Africa (MEA).

This, officials of the telco said was an indication aligned to the vision of becoming one of the top 10 global telecom operators in the world in terms of market capitalization by 2010.

Equally, this ranking FT stated placed Etisalat as the largest telecommunications company in both the Middle East and Africa, forward against all other regional and international operators in the two regions.

Reacting to the ranking result at the weekend in Lagos, Chairman, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Hakeem Belo-Osagie, expressed delight at Etisalat’s new global ranking.

“Etisalat entered Nigeria undisputedly as a leader in Africa. Etisalat Nigeria is therefore in a unique position to leverage on this global strength on all fronts,” he said.

He said that access to this rich pool of knowledge, skills and excellence would ensure that Nigerians have access to the world-class telecommunications services that Etisalat subscribers enjoy everywhere the telco operates.

He added that during the last quarter, Etisalat Group received recognition for its commitment to transparency with regards to financial data and relationship with investors.

Champion Infotel recalls that the prestigious United Arab Emirate (UAE) Securities and Commodities Authority was recently presented to Etisalat with the SCA Diamond Standard for Financial Transparency for the year 2007.

On the verge of commercial launch in Nigeria, Etisalat serves over 63 million subscribers across 16 countries in two continents.

Meanwhile, Etisalat has reiterated its commitment to provide Nigerians with its trademark quality of service, assuring would-be subscribers that the network was undergoing its final stages of testing prior to its commercial roll out.

Speaking at the just concluded West and Central Africa Communications Congress in Abuja, Vice President Marketing, Mr. Wael Ammar, said Nigeria fits into Etisalat’s vision to offer world-class services to the citizens because of the country’s enormous potentials.

Mr. Ammar said this in a presentation titled: ‘Etisalat’s strategies for maximizing growth in West and Central Africa Communications market,’ said the telco’s commitment to raise the quality of services available to Nigerians underlines its $1.4 billion initial investment in the Nigerian economy.

He explained that as a caring operator, Etisalat recognizes the importance and responsibility of balancing profitability and growth along side long term sustainability, stating that its expansion strategy in the West and Central African region is driven not only by market potential but also by the opportunity for Etisalat to add value to lives of the people.

Further, he said, the telco is continuously investing in capacity building, both in innovative technology and high caliber personnel, geared towards robust operations that will ultimately deliver simple and affordable quality service to Nigerians.


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