Etisalat Named World Best International Carrier

Etisalat has emerged the world’s best International Carrier in the World Communication Awards (WCA) 2008, which took place on November 26, 2008 in London. The gala event was graced by over 500 influencers, decision-makers, CEOs, and senior executives from leading organisations around the globe.
The short-list for the Best International Carrier Award was made up of operators who were already recognized as the best in their region. This year the shortlist comprised of the ‘Best Regional Operators’ from each of five key areas: Europe; Middle East & Africa; Asia/Asia Pacific; North America; and Latin America & Rest of the World. The winner is considered “the best of the best across all regions,” said Rob Chambers, Publisher, Total Telecom, organizers of the World Communications Awards.
Mohammad Hassan Omran, group chairman of Etisalat said they are delighted to have been acknowledged as the best international carrier in the world in 2008. “This is a major landmark in Etisalat’s history and is also a clear indication that our international expansion strategy is succeeding. More than this, the award recognizes the quality and commitment shown by each of our employees and I wish to take this opportunity to thank each of them for making Etisalat the best in the world,” he said.
Commenting on the award Mr. Wael Ammar, vice president marketing, Etisalat Nigeria, said, this recognition spurs us even further to provide distinctive, groundbreaking and technologically advanced services. We remain unrelenting in our drive to give our customers maximum satisfaction”.
Etisalat's achievement had been adjudged and recognised by a panel of 15 international judges from expert organsiations such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Ovum, Frost & Sullivan KPMG, Total Telecom, ETNO, and The Economist.
The judges applauded the group’s service quality and recognised the exceptional growth driven by rapid market share gains in the region’s larger economies like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. One judge pointed to “comprehensive high-quality services”, while another said it was exactly the kind of example they were looking for “of an aspiring telecoms operator with international ambitions”. A compound revenue growth of 29% per annum since 2005 places Etisalat at the top of the world’s fastest growing network operators. The judges said it is fitting that the most technologically advanced operator in the Middle East is gaining due recognition on the international stage.
The World Communication Awards recognise the companies and individuals responsible for the innovations, achievements and great new services that are helping to build tomorrow’s industry. The Awards are open to all communications providers, whether they are traditional carrier, service provider, multimedia content providers or any other organisation providing communications services.
The World Communication Awards maintain their fiercely protected independence and focus on the big issues, while encouraging more entries from communications providers across the globe, both large and small, to ensure the awards can truly claim 'world' status.