du (company)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Co.
du
Native name
شركة الإمارات للاتصالات المتكاملة «دو»‎
TypePublic
DFM: du
IndustryTelecommunication
Founded2005 (2005)
HeadquartersAl-Salam Tower, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
(Head office)
Area served
United Arab Emirates
Key people
 (Chairman)
Fahad Al Hassawi (CEO (acting))
ProductsFixed line and mobile telephony, Internet services, digital television
RevenueIncrease US$3.36 billion (2015)
Decrease US$530 million (2015)
Number of employees
2,800
SubsidiariesEITC Investment Holdings Limited
Websitedu.ae

Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (Arabic: شركة الإمارات للاتصالات المتكاملة‎), commercially rebranded as   du in February 2007, is one of the two main telecom operators in the United Arab Emirates. du offers fixed line, mobile telephony, internet and digital television services across the UAE. It also provides carrier services, a data hub, internet exchange facilities and satellite service for broadcasters.[1][2] It expanded its services in support of economic and social transformation of UAE and operates subsidiaries such as EITC Investment Holdings Limited, Edara (Telco Operations FZ-LLC), Smart Dubai Platform Project Company LLC and EITC Singapore PTE. LTD.

History[]

du mobile telecommunication services was launched in February 2007 under Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), a public joint stock company incorporated in Dubai through Ministerial Resolution No. 479 of 2005 issued on 28 December 2005. As of 2021, du has 6.7 million (39%) of UAE mobile subscribers and 236,000 fixed line subscribers.[3] Its shares are listed on Dubai Financial Market and is regulated by the Securities & Commodities Authority and the Telecommunications And Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) of the UAE.[4]

Ownership[]

EITC is 50.12% owned by Emirates Investment Authority (EIA), 10.06%% by Mamoura Diversified Global Holding formerly Mubadala Development Company, 19.7% by Emirates Communications & Technology Company LLC (ECT) and 20.12% by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades under the name du.

Sales & expansion[]

In 2012 du achieved like for like revenues of AED 10.16 billion (reported revenue AED 9.8 billion), an increase of 14.71% on 2011. The company acquired 1,241,251 net new mobile customers, estimating overall market share as 48.7% and value share as 32.5% in their Consolidated Financial Statements for 2012.

Mobile data revenue increased by 74% on 2011 taking overall data revenues to AED 1.76 billion for 2012, an increase from 2011 data revenues at AED 1.01 billion. The company's EBITDA growth for the 2012 was AED 3.99 billion, 37.1%, representing an EBITDA margin of 39.37% for 2012. Net profit before royalty grew by 55.81% to reach AED 2.82 billion in 2012. The Federal Government confirmed the royalty charge for 2012 at 5% of revenue and 17.5% of profit, resulting in net profit after royalty of AED 1.98 billion.

Financial results[]

Total revenue announced in du's annual report 2012 in AED millions is:

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
2,951 5,339 7,074 8,855 (Gross); 8,539 (Net) 10,157 (Gross); 9,842 (Net)

[5]

2012 revenue split (FY) was as follows:

Telephony - mobile Telephony - fixed Broadcasting Wholesale
78.1% 16% 1.7% 4.3%

[5]

In April 2021, the company said that its profits fell by 27% in first quarter compared to 2020.[6]

Services & products[]

du offers mobile and fixed telephony, broadband connectivity and IPTV services to individuals, homes and businesses. It also provides carrier services for businesses and satellite up/downlink services for TV broadcasters. Subscribers to du mobile services are identified by the dialing prefix 055 and 052. Its tariff plans  for private subscribers include Home Plans,  Postpaid Plans and Prepaid Plans while it offers corporate subscribers Closed Business User Group free calling, and preferred International Destinations.[7] du’s device and application IoT management platform allows users to connect and control devices remotely, monitor conditions and generate advance real-time analytics. du offers a multi-tenant platform with integration capabilities that can be based on the cloud or be on premise, with plug-in suite for AI machine learning, enabling business automation. du hosts Blockchain Platform on 'Dubai Pulse'.

Network[]

Radio Frequency Summary[]

Radio Frequency Summary hide
Frequency Protocol Band Class Channel Width
900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE 2G 9.4 MHz
2100 MHz UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSPA+ 1 3G 10 MHz
1800 MHz LTE/LTE-Advanced 3 4G 20 MHz
800 MHz LTE/LTE-Advanced 20 4G 15 MHz

LTE[]

du first launched LTE in 2012 on the FDD-LTE Band 3 (1800 MHz) frequency, in August 2014 it was then announced that du had installed and successfully tested VoLTE over its network. In July 2014, du launched Cat. 6 LTE-Advanced with carrier aggregation and 4x4 MIMO combining 20 MHz of Band 3 (1800 MHz) and 15 MHz of Band 20 (800 MHz).[8]

5G[]

du began its 5G network infrastructure development[9] in 2015 and launched in 2019 becoming the first telco operator to roll out 5G network in UAE[10][11] and the first to provide Preregistered customers with 5G-enabled devices[12] in the middle east and demonstrated video over 5G call using its Non-standalone (NSA) network, IMS Core and 5G smartphones.[13][14] In 2020, du deployed the Middle East and North Africa’s first millimeter Wave at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi providing the highest ultra-high mobile broadband 5G services in the region. The mm Wave frequencies improved its network capacity allowing users access to improved services in high-traffic areas. In 2021, du deployed the first 5G leased line with ultra-low latency in the UAE.[15]

VoLTE[]

In 2020, EITC increased its fiber footprint, launched VoLTE services, delivered a 100G backbone upgrade, equipped two data centres with advanced Network Functions Virtualisation Infrastructure (NFVI), and deployed the Telco Cloud NFVI at two DC.[13]

Corporate governance[]

Corporate Governance[]

The corporate governance framework of EITC is in accordance withs laws and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Commodities Authority of the UAE (SCA) including the Chairman of SCA’s Board of Directors’ Decision No. 3 of 2020 concerning approval of joint stock companies’ governance guide (SCA Corporate Governance Rules).[16][17] EITC complies with all the governing laws as well as the applicable regulations and policy directives issued by the SCA and the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). In the wake of COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, EITC’s Board of Directors monitored the measures taken by the management to ensure minimal disruptions and impact on the business of EITC.[18][19]

Emiratisation[]

du supports Emiratisation policy of the government of UAE by creating jobs, offering learning opportunities, and encouraging growth and development for UAE Nationals. As of 2021, du’s total workforce comprises 585 or 37.8% Emiratis with women constituting 52%. In leadership positions, Emiratis occupy 45% with women occupying 17% departmental leadership positions.[20]

Masar, du’s Graduate Trainee Programme empowers emerging Emirati talents and supports their career growth to become full fledged professionals. In its other programme, Career Framework & Succession Planning, du identifies potential UAE nationals who go through an extensive leadership and succession development program to prepare them for future leadership roles within the organization.[21] For its Emiratization strategy, du has won the MOHRE Emiratization Award for two consecutive years (2018 & 2019) and won the GCC Best Nationalization Initiatives in 2019.[22]  

Sustainability[]

du core business and social responsibility objectives are to deliver the benefits of ICT to everyone, operating as a responsible corporate citizen, and making its people and communities happier.[23] In 2020, du empowered families, schools, universities, and businesses in the UAE by enabling everyone to be connected anytime, and anywhere. du is the official strategic partner of the Smart Dubai Office and the platform provider for Dubai Pulse. The company is also a member of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Chamber for Responsible Business.[24]

Senior management[]

From 2006 to 2019, Osman Sultan served as the chief executive officer (CEO).[25] In June 2021, Fahad Al Hassawi, EITC’s former acting CEO, was entrusted by the EITC board to steer the organization’s transformation agenda in the capacity of CEO.[26]

Criticism[]

The UAE telecom market is highly restricted, with both major players being largely government owned. There is little real competition, with the choice of provider generally determined by geographic location. du typically has a monopoly on freezones, while Etisalat has a monopoly in other specific areas.[27]

Censorship[]

Following the internet guidelines of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the UAE,[28] du is required to block internet content based on the prohibited content categories list provided by the TRA,[29] the list includes pornography, drugs, intellectual property infringement, discrimination, racism, blasphemy and other categories that doesn't comply with the internet guidelines of the country.[30]

Users who tried to access a blocked web page were initially redirected to du's first block page. As rendered in the Opera web browser
The second version of du's block page, as rendered by the Mozilla Firefox web browser

DNS resolvers[]

  • DNS server 1: 94.200.200.200
  • DNS server 2: 91.74.74.74

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "du comes closer to its customers: Opens 44th du Shop in The Dubai Mal…". archive.md. 2013-06-16. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  2. ^ "UAE telco du to open new outlets in Dubai".
  3. ^ "du - Emirates Integrated Communications Company". www.mubadala.com. 2012-08-05. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  4. ^ "Overview of the DU telecommunications company".
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b du's Annual Report 2012.
  6. ^ "UAE telecom company du profits fall". Arab News. 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  7. ^ www.ETTelecom.com. "UAE telco du focuses on fixed line, post-paid as prepaid falls: CEO - ET Telecom". ETTelecom.com. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  8. ^ S, Murtaza (Jun 5, 2017). "Evolution to LTE Report (GSACOM)" (PDF). GSACom.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "du partners with Nokia to develop new 5G use cases for UAE's industrial sectors". english.mubasher.info. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  10. ^ "du deploys UAE's first 5G leased line".
  11. ^ www.ETTelecom.com. "Nokia, du trial SDAN technology on NG-PON - ET Telecom". ETTelecom.com. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  12. ^ "du launches 5G service in UAE, giving away free phones to select customers". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b www.ETTelecom.com. "Nokia and du deliver 40% faster internet speeds with Centralized RAN technology - ET Telecom". ETTelecom.com. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  14. ^ "du to close 2G networks as per TDRA's decision". english.mubasher.info. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  15. ^ Bhat, Divsha (2021-08-23). "UAE telecoms operator du urges mobile users to upgrade devices as 2G shutdown approaches". Gulf Business. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  16. ^ Yumpu.com. "Corporate Governance Report for financial year ending 3 - Du". yumpu.com. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  17. ^ ethicalboardroom (2015-03-29). "du Telecom's Dedication to Ethical Standards | Ethical Boardroom". Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  18. ^ "Du tops S&P/Hawkamah Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance I…". archive.md. 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  19. ^ "du reiterates commitment to corporate governance in the region. - SMB Advisor Middle East | HighBeam Research". web.archive.org. 2015-04-03. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  20. ^ "du receives Best Nationalization Initiative Award for its Emiratization efforts". www.telecomreview.com. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  21. ^ "UAE's du to foster young talents as part of latest Emiratisation drive".
  22. ^ Anonym. "Du Receives 'Best Emiratisation Initiative' Award | tellerreport.com". www.tellerreport.com. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  23. ^ "du partners with Philips to accelerate digital transformation in UAE's healthcare".
  24. ^ "du Prioritizes Digital Well-being To Empower Specific UAE Community Segments As Part Of New Sustainability Approach". Al Bawaba. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  25. ^ https://www.arabianbusiness.com/technology/436285-fahad-al-hassawi-appointed-acting-ceo-at-du. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. ^ https://www.arabianbusiness.com/osman-sultan-confirmed-as-ceo-of-second-uae-operator-209414.html
  27. ^ "United Arab Emirates: Freedom on the Net 2019 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  28. ^ "Internet Guidelines - Information & eGovernment Sector - About TRA - Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)". www.tra.gov.ae. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  29. ^ "Media in the UAE - The Official Portal of the UAE Government". www.government.ae. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  30. ^ "Prohibited Content Categories - Information & eGovernment Sector - About TRA - Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)". www.tra.gov.ae. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
Retrieved from ""