Etisalat has been named the world’s strongest telecom brand by Brand Finance, the world’s premier brand valuation authority, and is the first in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) area to get this honour.
Etisalat preserved its AAA brand grade as well as its position in MEA as the strongest brand across all categories and the most valuable brand portfolio, with a telecom portfolio worth well over US$ 12.5 billion. These awards highlight the UAE’s global leading position in terms of cutting-edge communications infrastructure and strategic digital transformation advancements.
Eng. Hatem Dowidar, CEO, Etisalat Group, said: “To be recognised as the world’s strongest telecom brand and as the most valuable telecom brand portfolio in MEA underline the success of our strategic initiatives to build a robust telecom infrastructure that creates added value for our customers wherever we serve. With our relentless focus on being customer-centric, we continue to push our horizons by investing in next generation technology that enhance our service offering and help shape the digital future.”
He added: “In this digital-first era, our focus is to be agile to meet the evolving requirements of our customers and deliver relevant and flexible services. Since our inception in 1976, we have been led by a vision to create a world-class telecom infrastructure that is central to economic progress. We are inspired by the support and guidance of the UAE leadership to stay innovative and future-focused so that we can continue to empower communities and enrich lives.”
Eng. Hatem Dowidar was also named to Brand Finance’s Global Elite List of Brand Guardians. This award recognises the ground-breaking initiatives he has implemented since joining Etisalat in September 2015, which have played a critical role in the company’s growth. Following the COVID-19 epidemic, he assumed the job of Group CEO in 2020 and guided the company’s expansion through the rapidly changing telecom and technology market. His effective brand stewardship laid the groundwork for Etisalat’s improved brand perception and staff engagement.
David Haigh, Chairman and CEO, Brand Finance, said:“Guided by the vision to ‘drive the digital future to empower societies’, Etisalat is the world’s strongest telecoms brand of 2022, as well as retaining its status as the strongest brand in the Middle East and Africa for the second consecutive year. Etisalat’s brand focuses on togetherness and plays its part by providing a first-class telecoms infrastructure across its footprint. Exceptional rollout of 5G technology has also meant that the Etisalat Group’s portfolio of brands is the most valuable amongst telecoms organisations in the Middle East.”
Attributing the success to his team at Etisalat, Dowidar added: “Our significant brand value growth is the result of the contributions and dedication of our employees across all the markets where we operate. Along side our partners, they are the cornerstones of our efforts to be a digital-first company that is future-ready while upholding our vision to empower societies, and turn challenges into opportunities.”
Etisalat’s powerful fibre-optic infrastructure boosts customer experiences across all business processes, with the UAE leading the globe in fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) penetration rate. As the official telecommunications and digital services partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, Etisalat set a new standard as the world’s fastest network by providing the greatest 5G experience, exceeding the expectations of millions of visitors. With over 8,000 Wi-Fi access points, 8,500 mobile access points, and 700 kilometres of fiber-optic cable, Etisalat has constructed a dedicated network for Expo 2020, which is the first 5G commercial site in MENA.
As the UAE commemorates its 50th anniversary, Etisalat has used its 46 years of telecoms experience and investment in telecom infrastructure to help individuals and businesses progress, as well as support key sectors like healthcare and education, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. Over one million students in the UAE completed their courses online thanks to the ‘Stay at Home’ initiative.
As the telecom sector continues to evolve at breakneck speed, Dowidar is focused on strengthening Etisalat’s strategic role in empowering the communities it serves in global markets. “Our proven ability to deliver seamless connectivity is our differentiating strength. We are fully equipped to unlock the potential of digital technologies to drive digital transformation at all levels – from government to business to individuals. Our recognition as the world’s leading telecom brand further fuels our ambition to expand to new geographies and build innovative partnerships, underpinning Etisalat as a brand that makes a positive difference.”
Etisalat’s digital branch has already achieved significant progress in terms of digital B2B services, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity, IoT, and cloud connectivity. Help Ag, Etisalat Enterprise Digital’s cybersecurity division, protects customers from identity theft and acts as a platform for digital transformation.
The world’s top independent branded business valuation and strategy authority is Brand Finance. It was founded in 1996 and is based in London’s City. Its mission is to ‘bridge the gap between marketing and finance.’ Every year, Brand Finance examines over 5,000 brands across all industries and geographies. The Brand Finance Global 500 report includes the 500 most valuable brands.
