Etisalat Launches Major Initiative to Enhance Digital Infrastructure by 2030

Etisalat's Ambitious Digital Infrastructure Expansion Project

In a landmark development, Etisalat has announced an extensive project to enhance its digital infrastructure within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and abroad. This initiative aims to elevate the international connectivity capacity to over 500 terabits per second (Tbps) by the year 2030. The announcement was made in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who serves as the Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE.

The significance of this project cannot be understated, as it is set to increase connectivity capabilities by an astonishing 25-fold compared to current levels. The expansion will involve the establishment of various routes that will not only improve efficiency and reliability but also deliver advanced performance with minimal latency. This initiative is particularly crucial given the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, which demand robust digital frameworks.

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed emphasized the necessity of investing in digital infrastructure, which he views as a cornerstone for fostering new technologies and cultivating a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy. He expressed the importance of national coordination and the role of governmental institutions in supporting the UAE's AI objectives and digital economy.

In his address, Sheikh Mansour stated, "The UAE continues to invest in building a sophisticated digital infrastructure, guided by its vision for the future. Preparing for tomorrow begins with laying the groundwork that fosters economic growth, accelerates innovations, and strengthens the country's global competitiveness."

In alignment with this vision, the project spearheaded by Etisalat will not only facilitate improved digital capabilities but also contribute to the establishment of an ecosystem necessary to harness the full potential of AI. "Our aim is to ensure that every institution in the UAE, whether public or private, is empowered to work with AI and drive innovations to meet the demands of the next decade," Sheikh Mansour asserted, highlighting the commitment to ensuring the underlying infrastructure’s efficiency.

The UAE’s ambitions extend beyond merely keeping pace with technological changes. The leadership is poised to actively contribute to the creation and evolution of these technologies, strengthening the nation's future viability as a global technology and AI hub. Sheikh Mansour articulated that transformative infrastructure projects will solidify the UAE’s position as a pivotal center for groundbreaking technology and innovation.

The event also marked the beginning of celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Etisalat, where the telecommunications giant revealed its new vision of evolving into a leading AI-driven, innovative company while continuing its legacy under the established name that customers have trusted for half a century.

This initiative represents Etisalat's first major endeavor under its new strategy that focuses on four critical business domains: telecommunications, AI and enterprise solutions, infrastructure, and fintech.

His Excellency Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Alzaabi, Chairman of the Etisalat Group, remarked, "This project reflects our conviction that the UAE should not only adopt AI but also shape and steer its trajectory. To achieve this, we need a digital infrastructure that prepares us for the future."

He further added that increasing international bandwidth from 20 Tbps to over 500 Tbps is a strategic move to address the growing challenges in global data processing and traffic flow, especially in the face of remarkable advancements in AI. The expansion will enhance flexibility and reliability, catering to the demands of AI campuses, global cloud providers, and the group’s business segments and customers across all markets.

The digital infrastructure project aims to establish rapid, direct, and resilient connectivity for the nation to the global digital economy, while simultaneously securing the digital sovereignty of the UAE.

In conclusion, this project encapsulates the same commitment that has guided Etisalat for the past fifty years, underscoring its dedication to building the infrastructure on which the nation relies while ensuring unparalleled flexibility and resilience across its markets. As AI becomes the defining technology of this generation, Etisalat remains steadfast in its mission to support the UAE's technological advancement and future aspirations.

With operations in 38 countries and a customer base exceeding 250 million, this multifaceted initiative will connect the UAE's national infrastructure to the global digital ecosystem, further strengthening the digital competitiveness of the nation and enabling considerable AI deployment across public and private sectors, underpinned by trust in the robust infrastructure.