The chief executive of United Arab Emirates (UAE) fixed and mobile operator Du says the country has no need for a third licensed operator. Osman Sultan told the Emirates News Agency (WAM): ‘The UAE market doesn’t need a third telecom operator for the time being as competitiveness in the market is promising for greater prosperity in the telecom services in future.’ The executive added that Du has invested around AED20 billion (USD5.4 billion) in the ten years since its launch.
Du competes in both the fixed line and wireless sectors with incumbent operator Etisalat. Earlier this year the UAE also saw the launch of its first MVNO in the form of Virgin Mobile; the reseller, which is wholly owned by Du’s parent Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), targets the youth market.