UAE telecommunications company Etisalat Group posted steady financial results on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, reflecting a positive fourth quarter for the company. Etisalat Group's consolidated revenue for the fourth quarter of 2017 amounted to AED 13.5 billion, representing an increase of 4% compared to the same period the previous year. Etisalat Group's UAE branch remains its most successful operation.
Brand Finance, a UK based brand valuation firm, has named UAE operator Etisalat as the most valuable brand in the MENA region with a value of $7.7bn. The consultation firm has seen its brand value rise to $7.7 billion which is higher than any other brand in the North Africa and Middle East region.
The second instalment of du’s Public Service Announcement, themed "If it were your pain, would you share it?" was unveiled on 19 February to raise awareness and inspire conversations around conscientious social media usage. The campaign comprises of four compelling videos that address the negative impact of posting people’s misfortunes online and question the motives of the people behind the camera lens.
His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, inaugurated the STC Academy for digital learning and training on Monday, which is one of Saudi Telecom Company's initiatives to achieve the kingdom's Vision 2030 and to build digital skills and enable e-services.
Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), the parent company of du and Virgin Mobile in the UAE, posted positive results for 2017, with net profit after royalty up 14.9% year-on-year to reach AED 425 million and fixed line subscribers up 6.1%. EITC CEO, Osman Sultan, touted the company's "structural changes" and "effective delivery model."
Kuwait's Zain Group reported a 5% year-on-year consolidated revenue drop for the full-year 2017 to reach US$3.4 billion. The company's consolidated EBITDA for the period decreased by 19% year-on-year to reach US$1.37 billion. Zain Group Chairman Mohannad Al-Kharafi noted the "various operational, regulatory, social and forex challenges we face across our footprint."
Saudi telecom provider Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) reported a decrease in sales by SAR 1.2 billion on 14 February, which it said is a result of "pressure from the general economic changes and the various regulatory changes" in the sector. The company’s net results showed losses at SAR 708.9 million in 2017 compared with losses of SAR 213.6 million for the same period the previous year.
Alfa welcomed the New Year by celebrating 2017 milestones during an evening held at Biel in Downtown Beirut, Lebanon. The celebration was held under the theme #LebanonCelebrates focusing this year on the concept of the Lebanese village and the importance of attachment to the land, which is rooted in Alfa's culture.
UAE-based telecom company Etisalat launched a unique first-in-the-region hub for small and medium businesses (SMBs) in Dubai on 12 February. Etisalat's 'Hello Business Hub' is set up as a one-stop-shop for aspiring business owners to obtain everything they need to establish a company in the UAE. Etisalat partnered with relevant firms to make the process seamless for customers.
UAE telecom provider Etisalat has launched a new payment service for the Small and Medium Business (SMB) segment in the UAE. The new service, Mobile Cashier, allows for easy on boarding and affordable mobile point-of-sale that enables SMBs to accept card payments from their customers, while enjoying mobile business plan benefits anywhere in the UAE, the company said.
