DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES--(Marketwire - January 22, 2008) - du, the United Arab Emirates'
new telecommunications operator, has revealed its plans to strengthen
strategic relations with Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), 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.
Sam Alkharrat, managing director of Cisco Gulf and Pakistan, said: "Service
providers no longer rely on voice as the single driver for revenue
generation and are now aggressively tapping into the new wave of rich
interactive services to attract new customers, while creating high-margin
revenue opportunities.
"We're proud of our history with du and we hope that such market-moving
strategies will help enable du to expand its services across the UAE and
wider Gulf region, not just with their traditional SMB customers but
existing multinationals, to meet new customer demand," continued Alkharrat.
Prior to the creation of du, Cisco collaborated with TECOM, to deploy
multi-tenant unified communications services, residential voice, video and
data services and managed business services at Dubai Internet and Media
Cities, based on an IP/Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) infrastructure
enabled by Cisco technologies.
About du
du, the new telecommunications company in the UAE, launched mobile
telecommunication services on 11 February 2007 across the UAE in addition
to Internet and pay TV services in some of the free zones of Dubai. Call
Select, the first of du's nationwide Fixed line services for voice
telephony, was launched in July 2007.
Among du's many firsts is its historic Number Booking Campaign for both
individuals and business, Pay by the Second billing system, Mobile TV,
Mobile Payments, first of its kind 'WoW' recharge card (which offers
customers the choice between more credit and more time) and Self Care. du
business offers include Closed Business User Group and preferred
International Destinations.
du's retail network, currently numbering 16 du shops located in strategic
locations across all emirates, was launched on 25 February 2007, supporting
the delivery of du services to customers.
du is 40 percent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 20 percent by
Mubadala Development Company, 20 percent by TECOM Investments and 20
percent by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market
(DFM) and trades under the name du.
du was recognised as the 'Best Brand' for its innovative branding and
outstanding success at the Telecom World Awards Middle East 2007.
www.du.ae
About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms
how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco
can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to
http://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in the Middle East is supplied
by Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco
Systems, Inc.
Cisco, Cisco Systems, and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks
or trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United
States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this
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partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any
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