Etisalat and Its Expansion Plans in Egypt and West Africa

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Stunning view of Etisalat Tower in Dubai with palm trees and a water fountain.
Credit: pexels.com, Stunning view of Etisalat Tower in Dubai with palm trees and a water fountain.

Etisalat has been expanding its reach in Egypt, where it acquired a 45% stake in Vodafone Egypt's shares in 2008. This move marked a significant milestone in the company's growth strategy.

In West Africa, Etisalat has made notable investments, particularly in Nigeria, where it acquired a 9.2% stake in 9Mobile, formerly Etisalat Nigeria, in 2017.

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Egypt and West Africa

Etisalat has a significant presence in Egypt, where it operates as e& Egypt, the country's third mobile network. It was granted the rights to develop the network in 2006, with a winning bid of £E16.7 billion (EUR €2.29 billion).

The network covers and serves over 99% of the population in Egypt, through more than 6,000 base stations. Etisalat Egypt was the first to launch 3.75G in Egypt and the first operator to launch video call services in the country.

Etisalat's presence in West Africa is also notable, with its brand MOOV operating in several countries. MOOV covers on average 60% of the populated areas in each of its countries of operations.

Here's a list of the countries where MOOV operates:

Etisalat acquired 50% of Atlantique Telecom's shares in April 2005, and increased its shares in AT to 70% in 2007, and again to 82% in May 2008.

Nigeria and Other Countries

Credit: youtube.com, Etisalat Nigeria rebranded as 9mobile

Etisalat Nigeria launched one of the first major broadband services in the country, EasyBlaze, marking a significant milestone in the country's internet expansion.

The company's innovative products and services, such as the Eco Sim and special numbers via the 0809uchoose campaign, helped promote African Internet expansion through the Etisalat Prize for Innovation.

Etisalat Nigeria invested millions to expand its network in April 2013, enabling potential market growth of 17%.

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Nigeria

Nigeria has a vibrant telecommunications industry, with Etisalat Nigeria being one of the major players.

Etisalat Nigeria launched its first major broadband service, EasyBlaze, making it a pioneer in the country's internet expansion.

In 2013, Etisalat Nigeria announced a significant investment to expand its network, which would lead to a potential market growth of 17%.

The company also hosted the Etisalat Prize for Innovation from 2012 to 2015 to promote African internet expansion.

Etisalat Nigeria launched the Etisalat Prize for Literature in June 2013, a pan-African prize for debut published writers.

A Company Logo on a Wall
Credit: pexels.com, A Company Logo on a Wall

In October 2016, Etisalat Nigeria introduced 4G LTE with a frequency band of 3 (1800 MHz), offering speeds of 28 Mbit/s download and 11 Mbit/s upload.

This LTE network currently covers parts of Lagos and Abuja.

However, in July 2017, Etisalat withdrew from the market after its debt was not repaid or rescheduled.

The company has since been rebranded as 9mobile, a Nigerian private limited liability company.

9mobile was originally known as EMTS, which acquired a Unified Access Service License from the Nigerian Communications Commission in 2007.

Explore further: Check Credit on Etisalat

E &

In Nigeria, the economy is heavily reliant on the oil and gas industry, with the country being the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world.

Nigeria's economy is expected to grow at a rate of 2.5% in 2023, driven by the growth of the non-oil sector.

The country has a large and growing population, with over 200 million people, and a relatively young population with a median age of 18 years.

Nigeria has a diverse range of cultures, with over 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages spoken across the country.

The country has a rich natural resource base, with significant deposits of coal, iron ore, and tin.

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2007

Telecommunication Towers among Trees
Credit: pexels.com, Telecommunication Towers among Trees

In 2007, UAE mobile subscribers exceeded 6.7 million. This was a significant milestone in the country's mobile industry.

The UAE's internet penetration also reached a notable mark in 2007, crossing the 60% threshold. This demonstrates the rapid growth of internet adoption in the region.

Etisalat, a leading telecommunications company in the UAE, introduced mobile TV in 2007. This innovation brought entertainment and media content to mobile devices, further increasing their appeal.

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Technology and Services

Etisalat, now rebranded as e&, has made significant strides in expanding its global presence. It acquired GlassHouse, a Turkish cloud services provider, for $60 million, marking its first foray into the Turkish cloud market.

This acquisition excludes any debt and excess cash from GlassHouse, with its financials consolidating into e& upon deal completion. e& has also finalized its acquisition of a 50 percent plus one share in PPF Group's telecom business in Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Slovakia for €2.15 billion.

The company's subscriber base has risen to 177.3 million, with a 10 percent year-on-year revenue increase in the third quarter of 2024.

AI Insights

Aldar Headquarters Building in UAE Dubai
Credit: pexels.com, Aldar Headquarters Building in UAE Dubai

e& has made significant strides in expanding its global telecom footprint, acquiring GlassHouse, a Turkish cloud services provider, for $60 million. This marks e&'s first foray into the Turkish cloud market.

The acquisition of GlassHouse excludes any of the company's debt and excess cash, and financials will consolidate into e& upon deal completion. e& has also finalised its acquisition of a 50 percent plus one share in PPF Group's telecom business in Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Slovakia, valued at €2.15 billion.

e&'s expansion plans are ambitious, with the goal of extending operations to 38 countries. The company has reported a third-quarter 2024 revenue increase of 10 percent year on year.

Despite facing challenges, such as an appeal loss in a Moroccan court involving its subsidiary Maroc Telecom, e& stated that the impact was covered by its international regulatory risk management.

E Smart

With e& Smart, you can enjoy up to 2,500 minutes of flexi talk time, giving you plenty of room to stay connected with loved ones.

This plan also offers up to 3 preferred numbers, allowing you to easily manage multiple phone lines and stay connected with family and friends.

Updates

Design of Brand Logo
Credit: pexels.com, Design of Brand Logo

Etisalat has been expanding its services to cater to the growing demand for digital solutions. Etisalat has launched various digital services including eLife TV, which offers over 100 channels and a range of interactive features.

Etisalat's eLife TV allows subscribers to record up to 4 shows simultaneously, providing flexibility and convenience. This feature is especially useful for people with busy schedules who want to catch up on their favorite shows at a later time.

Etisalat has also introduced a new tariff plan, "Smart Value", which offers a range of benefits including free data for social media apps and a 20% discount on international calls. This plan is designed to provide customers with more value for their money.

Etisalat's Smart Value tariff plan is available to both new and existing customers, making it a great option for those looking to upgrade their current plan.

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Postpaid Services

Upgrading to Postpaid can be a great decision, especially with Etisalat's New Freedom plan, which offers double data, free minutes, and more as a promo.

View of the cable-stayed bridge and iconic communication tower under a blue sky in Mannheim, Germany.
Credit: pexels.com, View of the cable-stayed bridge and iconic communication tower under a blue sky in Mannheim, Germany.

You can choose your own gift when you upgrade, making the transition even more rewarding.

The New Postpaid plan provides amazing minutes, data, and SMS rates in the UAE, giving you more flexibility and convenience.

Saving add-ons is a great feature that allows you to customize your plan further, making it even more tailored to your needs.

Etisalat's Postpaid services are designed to give you the freedom to manage your plan and make the most of your benefits.

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Emirati and Miscellaneous

You can choose a custom-made plan with a great deal for minutes, data, and SMSs used within the UAE, and enjoy long talks to your preferred number.

The Emirati Freedom Postpaid plan is a great option for those who want a flexible plan.

e& offers various postpaid plans that cater to different needs.

Prepaid/Wasel Flexi is another option for those who want to pay as they go.

eLife Plans are designed for customers who want a more personalized experience.

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Glass building of company in city center
Credit: pexels.com, Glass building of company in city center

The Absher Plan is a great option for those who want a plan that suits their needs.

If you're new to e&, you can switch to their service with ease.

There are several options available for data and credit transfer.

You can trade-in your old device and get a new one with e&.

Talking Bill is a feature that allows you to pay your bill on time.

People of Determination can enjoy special offers and discounts with e&.

Deals for you are available on the e& website.

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) is a feature that allows you to send multimedia messages.

Senior Citizens Offer is a special discount for senior citizens.

5G is a high-speed internet service offered by e&.

UAE Wifi is a service that allows you to access the internet on the go.

Home Zone Internet is a service that provides high-speed internet at home.

You can test your internet speed with the Internet Speed Test feature.

If you're new to e&, you can find more information on their website.

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Aerial view of urban buildings and trees with a telecom tower in New Delhi, India.
Credit: pexels.com, Aerial view of urban buildings and trees with a telecom tower in New Delhi, India.

You can connect with e& through their various apps.

e& takes privacy and scam reporting seriously.

You can block promotional SMS with e&.

The Do Not Call Registry is a feature that allows you to block unwanted calls.

CNAP/Caller ID “Kashif” is a feature that allows you to identify unknown callers.

Value Added Tax (VAT) is a tax that is applicable on certain services.

You can contact e& through their e& Mail feature.

Customer Quotation – CQ is a feature that allows you to get a quote for your services.

The UAE Online directory is a feature that allows you to find businesses and services in the UAE.

You can request a Clearance Letter from e&.

Authorized Channel Partners are partners who can help you with your e& services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Etisalat change to e&?

Etisalat changed to e& to reflect its transformation into a global technology and investment conglomerate. This change marks a significant shift from a traditional telecom company to a more diversified business entity.

What is the meaning of e&?

e& is a brand name that represents the merger of Etisalat and Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), combining their strengths and services under one umbrella. This rebranding aims to provide a more streamlined and innovative experience for customers.

Vanessa Schmidt

Lead Writer

Vanessa Schmidt is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for research, she has established herself as a trusted voice in the world of personal finance. Her expertise has led to the creation of articles on a wide range of topics, including Wells Fargo credit card information, where she provides readers with valuable insights and practical advice.

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