Etisalat to spend Dh3 billion on infrastructure this year

Mobile and fixed network upgrades complemented by investment in AI, robotics and Internet of Things

Saleh Al Abdooli says Etisalat's network investment will reach Dh3 billion this year. Wam

Etisalat's infrastructure investment spend will exceed Dh3bn this year, encompassing upgrades to its mobile and fibre optic networks, together with new areas including artificial intelligence, robotics and the Internet of Things, a senior official said on Sunday.

''Due to these investments, 3G network coverage has reached 99.58 per cent while 4G LTE is at 97.78 per cent," said Saleh Al Abdooli, the chief executive of the Etisalat Group, according to the state news agency WAM.

"Fibre-to-the-home [FTTH] penetration has grown to reach 93.28 per cent. This helped position the UAE as a market with the highest FTTH coverage in the world last year among all its global counterparts."

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Mr Al Abdooli's comments came ahead of the opening of the GITEX Technology Week conference and exhibition in Dubai on Sunday.

''We are now working to complete the 5G network infrastructure to align it with the international standards for the launch in 2020. Etisalat is also preparing the infrastructure for the Expo Dubai 2020 network to become one of the fastest, smartest and most advanced networks in the world to ensure that visitors enjoy an exciting digitally enhanced experience," he added.

GITEX Technology Week, being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, runs until October 12.