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du CEO named as one of the most 100 powerful executives in telecom of the world

Osman Sultan is in elite company as one of the 100 most successful figures in the telecom industry in 2010 by Global Telecoms Business

Osman Sultan is in elite company as one of the 100 most successful figures in the telecom industry in 2010 by Global Telecoms Business

Exemplifying his position as a leader on the global stage, du CEO Osman Sultan demonstrated his international influence and reach by being named among the most powerful executives in the telecoms industry on GTBPower100 List 2010, which is published by the Global Telecoms Business each year and include well-known industry figures who have contributed valuably to the world of telecom.

“I am very proud of this accomplishment and believe that this honour is a true reflection not just of my achievements but of the company’s phenomenal success. Since du’s inception in February 2007, we’ve achieved a significant growth in mobile market share and the company is showing a steady growth in profits, and this is thanks to our very talented and dedicated du team who have worked tirelessly and without whom the company would not enjoy the success it does today,” commented Osman Sultan, CEO, du.

Appointed CEO of du in January 2006, Osman Sultan was tasked with setting up and developing the company to be a key player in the region. By the end of August 2010 du had an estimated 37% market share of active mobile subscribers, with more than 4 million active subscribers, and has a nationwide GSM and 3G network covering all the Emirates. Furthermore, du offers a full range of services, including fixed voice, internet access and pay TV, having installed its own state-of-the-art fibre optic network in the UAE.

Prior to his position at du, Sultan spent eight years running MobiNil, a company he helped set up in 1998 and developed to become the first mobile telephony operator in Egypt. His experience includes managing operations in several countries across Europe, North America and the Middle East.

The list of 100 people in the third Global Telecoms Business Power100 depicts the vibrancy and dynamics of telecom, globally. It features virtually the who’s who of telecom including Leaders of two of the industry’s major organisations, the International Telecommunication Union and the GSM Association, and other key movers and shakers.

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, Channels Communications
Brand & Communications
du
Mobile: +971 55 9367045
Email: saugat.chatterjee@du.ae

Gregory Henderson
Manning, Selvage & Lee
Tel: +971 4 3676 275
Mobile: +971 55 495 6484
Fax: +971 4 367 2615
Email: gregory.henderson@dubai.mslpr.com

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