Etisalat and Rakuten Mobile Sign a Memorandum of Understanding

Abu Dhabi/Tokyo, March 22, 2021 - Etisalat Group, one of the world’s leading telecom groups in emerging markets, and Rakuten Mobile, Inc., announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a reference blueprint for mobile broadband networks and Open RAN technology based on the Rakuten Communications Platform (RCP).

“We’re excited to work with Etisalat to build a new generation of telecom infrastructure based on the Rakuten Communications Platform which will bring cost effective mobile services to their customers across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia,” said Tareq Amin, Representative Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Rakuten Mobile.

Hatem Bamatraf, Chief Technology Officer, Etisalat International, said: “Etisalat Group and our affiliate networks across the Middle East and Africa bring rich services and experiences to our customers across the region. This is a unique opportunity for Etisalat and Rakuten Mobile to co-explore and further develop next generation mobile networks based on RCP that will allow Etisalat to leverage a cost-effective, cloud-native, Open RAN based mobile network architecture that is secure, scalable and reliable."

Under this MoU agreement, the companies aim to jointly develop a reference design for a new generation of mobile networks for Etisalat customers across the Middle East, Africa and Asia regions based on open standards and a cloud-native, software centric and fully virtualized/containerized platform with intelligent and secure operations.

About Etisalat
Etisalat Group is one of the world’s leading telecom groups in emerging markets. With consolidated net revenues at AED 52.2 billion and consolidated net profit of AED 8.7 billion for 2019, its high credit ratings reflect the company’s strong balance sheet and proven long-term performance.

Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Etisalat was established over four decades ago in the UAE as the country’s first telecommunications service provider. An international blue-chip organisation, Etisalat Group provides innovative solutions and services to 149 million subscribers in 16 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Etisalat is the fastest mobile network globally by Ookla® Speedtest® in 2020 providing its subscribers the most superior experience. Etisalat is named “The Most Valuable Portfolio Brand” in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) by Brand Finance, and has become the first group from the Middle East to break the USD 10 billion barrier in terms of wider portfolio value.

About Rakuten Mobile
Rakuten Mobile, Inc. is a Rakuten Group company responsible for mobile communications, including mobile network operator (MNO) and mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) businesses, as well as ICT and energy. Through continuous innovation and the deployment of advanced technology, Rakuten Mobile aims to redefine expectations in the mobile communications industry in order to provide appealing and convenient services that respond to diverse customer needs.