Etisalat, the UAE's first telecommunications operator, celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, expressing gratitude to the country and announcing its intention to continue operating under its foundational name—etisalat.
The company made this announcement on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), stating that this name would be used going forward as it reflects the company's heritage, strategy, and aspirations in the age of artificial intelligence.
Company representatives emphasized: 'Our strategy is built on this foundation: connecting people, supporting business, and developing the infrastructure that enables intelligent systems.' They added that 'etisalat means connection. For fifty years, this purpose has guided everything we have created and the role we have played. Today, it holds even greater significance as we unite connectivity, digital capabilities, and infrastructure to create new opportunities.'
On its website, the company published an emotional message commemorating the anniversary, recalling its contribution to the country's development. The message stated: 'From the first lines laid across the desert to the region's first mobile network, from introducing the internet to the UAE to transforming the country into one of the most fiber-connected in the world, we have spent five decades making the next possible. First at home, and then in every market where we grew.'
The company also expressed gratitude to its customers for their growth, noting: 'The story was never about the networks. It was about what you did with them.' The message further detailed how users utilized the connections: 'You called home, and it felt closer. You conducted business, studied, worked, paid, streamed, and shared. You watched your children grow on screen when you couldn't be there. And when it was needed most, during the pandemic that moved an entire country online, through rain and floods, you remained close to the people who matter.'
Emphasizing the spirit of the occasion, etisalat declared: 'We built the network. You gave it meaning.'
This announcement coincided with the operator launching a series of anniversary promotions for its users. Founded in 1976, etisalat was established as a joint venture just five years after the country's formation. In 1982, it launched the first mobile network in the Middle East, introduced GSM services in 1994, provided internet access in the UAE in 1995, and implemented 3G and MMS in 2003.