The company is honoured for excellence in innovation in business mobile propositions

Asserting itself once again as the operator of choice for businesses in the UAE, du has been honoured with the prestigious 2010 UAE Business Product Line Leadership Award. The company received this award from global research and consultancy organisation Frost & Sullivan under the Business Mobile Telecommunications category, and was accepted by Hala Badri, EVP Brand and Communication, du, on behalf of the company.

“We are deeply honoured to have been selected for this prestigious award at the reputable 2010 UAE Product Line Leadership Awards. One of the key drivers for our success has been down to our ability as a company to think innovatively, and design and deliver relevant products into newer and never-before addressed segments of the market – an accomplishment that is exemplified by our subscriber base, that continues to show healthy signs of growth. We will strive to continue our efforts in providing top-class communication solutions for businesses, as well as for individual customers,” commented Hala Badri, EVP Brand and Communication, du.

Frost & Sullivan’s research addressed a number of key industry factors and achievements of the company, including the key industry challenges addressed by du and the impact of the product leadership award on key stakeholders. The study also featured a best practice award analysis, which incorporated a look at du’s performance in the UAE Telecommunications Market as well as an analysis of the company’s key performance drivers, which were split into three factors including The award recognises du’s ‘understanding of business customers with the introduction of innovative and well-targeted business mobile offerings such as Premier Plan – a customised vertical offering targeting two key vertical industries ‘Hospitality’ (through Mobile Pay as you Go® Closed User Group) and the Government (through Premier Plan G). The Award is an acknowledgement of du’s commitment to meet the needs of the UAE’s cost-conscious Small and Medium Enterpises (SMEs) by launching Business Super Plan that offers the most competitive rates on national and international calling as well as the best deals on smartphones in the market at a monthly commitment level of something as low as AED 100 – that makes for a very compelling value proposition.

Frost & Sullivan handed out other best practices awards during the event to companies in the ICT, Energy & Power Systems and Chemicals markets. The organisation is in its 49th year in business with a global research department of 1,800 analysts and consultants who monitor more than 300 industries and 250,000 companies. The organisation’s unique approach enables it to determine how best-in-class companies worldwide manage growth, innovation and leadership.

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