Creates joint growth opportunities for government and business sectors across Middle East/Africa
Stuttgart, Germany, 18 October 2010: GE – Satcom (NYSE: GE), a leading provider of satellite communication services, and du, (DFM: du) UAE’s integrated telecom service provider, today signed a partnership agreement that will see the two companies co-operate on the delivery of satellite network solutions throughout the Middle East, Africa and beyond. The agreement was signed between Ronny Svang, President and CEO, GE – Satcom and Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du, in the presence of other senior company officials during GITEX Technology Week in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The deal, which brings together GE – Satcom’s advanced satellite communications solutions and du’s extensive MEA expertise, gives both partners the opportunity to achieve significant growth, particularly within the region’s oil and gas, energy and financial sectors where reliable communications are required between base operations and remote sites underserved by terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure.
“This is a promising step for both organisations,” explains Ronny Svang, President and CEO of GE – Satcom.” As one of the leading telecom operators in the United Arab Emirates, du has a presence and local understanding that we could never hope to achieve on our own.”
“For our part, we bring to the table world-class satellite communications technologies, superior VSAT network operations capability, a comprehensive satellite space inventory and demonstrable experience in delivering services to government and corporate clients.”
Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du, commented: “We have grown very rapidly in recent years and our long-term plan is to further develop the government and business side through the provision of end-to-end solutions. This partnership enables us to take another significant step towards that goal. We are glad to join hands with GE – Satcom, an active company in the Middle East and a company with which we believe we can share strong synergies.”
About GE – Satcom
GE – Satcom provides advanced satellite communication solutions on a multi-regional scale. With access to over 30 satellites, GE – Satcom owns two state-of-the-art teleport centres in Germany and Switzerland. Today, GE – Satcom has successfully deployed around 10,000 VSAT sites in over 130 countries, providing turnkey satellite network solutions directly to enterprises, maritime operators, NGOs and government entities which require reliable access to the Internet, telephony, large data transmission and TV content applications from dispersed locations.
www.gesatcom.com
About du
du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, launched mobile telecommunication services in February 2007 across the UAE, in addition to internet and pay TV services that du provides in some of the free zones of Dubai. Call Select, du’s nationwide fixed line services for voice telephony, was launched in July 2007. By the end of 2008, over 3 million people in the UAE chose to become du customers.
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, more time and now ‘more international’ recharge option with additional credit on international calls) and Self Care.
For business customers, du business offers include Closed Business User Group and preferred International Destinations. du Broadcast Services division brings scalable media technology platforms and telecommunication solutions to the broadcast community through its world class teleport (Samacom) and Master Control Room (MCR) facilities.
du products and services for consumers and business are available through du’s retail network, currently numbering 33 du shops located in strategic locations across the UAE, more than 3000 authorized dealers Or through du e-shop, accessible at http://www.du.ae/en/where-to-buy/eshop.html. du shops are a one stop shop for mobile service, carrier select and the payment of the service bills.
du is 39.5-percent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 19.75-percent by Mubadala Development Company, 19.5-percent by Emirates Communications & Technology Company LLC and the remaining stake by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades under the name du.
Awards to date
du presented with an award for Best Middle Eastern Local Currency Deal 2008 by UK’s EuroWeek.
du won two prestigious awards at UAE Web Awards 2008. du e-shop portal won the best strategic online portal award in the e-commerce category and du media club website won the bronze award in the media and press category.
du corporate brand launch campaign awarded a Cristal MENA award in 2008.
du declared ‘Best Brand’ at Telecoms World Awards Middle East 2007 for innovative branding and outstanding brand success.
Second place in the New Brand Launch category at the GMR Effectiveness in Marketing Awards 2007.
Silver Award for the best website in the ICT category at the UAE Web Awards 2007.
du WoW TV Commercial awarded amongst the best 50 TV commercials in mobile telecom category in the world for 2007.
For further information, please contact:
Saugat Chatterjee
Public Relations Manager
Brand & Communications
du
Mobile: +971 55 9367045
Email: saugat.chatterjee@du.ae
PRESS CONTACTS
Viviana Kennedy
viviana.kennedy@ge.com
