In a significant advancement for the digital landscape of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, has overseen the launch of a strategic initiative by Etisalat Group. This project aims to develop and expand the nation’s digital infrastructure capabilities, positioning the UAE to meet the demands of an AI-driven economy and reinforce its stature in the global digital arena.
During a meeting with Etisalat Group—one of the investments of the UAE Investment Authority—Sheikh Mansour, as the Chairman of the Authority, reviewed the group’s plans for future projects. This includes enhancing the digital infrastructure to keep pace with the rapidly evolving AI technologies and the broader digital economy.
Enhancing Digital Infrastructure for Future Growth
The ambitious project outlines plans to increase international bandwidth capacity to over 500 terabits per second by 2030, a staggering 25-fold increase from current levels. Additionally, it will develop diverse routes to improve connectivity efficiency and reliability, achieving advanced response times.
Emphasising the significance of investing in digital infrastructure, Sheikh Mansour stated that it is a fundamental pillar for supporting the future economy and fostering innovation and advanced technologies. He highlighted the necessity for a unified national effort and the vital role of local institutions in aligning with the UAE’s aspirations in AI and the digital economy.
The UAE’s Vision for the Future
Sheikh Mansour remarked, “The UAE continues to invest in building an advanced digital infrastructure, stemming from its vision for the future and its belief that readiness for the next phase begins with possessing the capabilities that support economic development, accelerate innovation, and enhance the country’s global competitiveness.”
He added, “AI is a central pillar in our development journey in the coming phase, and enhancing our digital capabilities prepares the groundwork to leverage its potential on a broad scale, enabling both government and private entities to evolve and innovate with efficiency and confidence.”
Sheikh Mansour also indicated that the UAE’s ambitions transcend merely adapting to technological transformations; they encompass active contributions to their development. He noted that high-quality digital infrastructure projects will enhance the nation’s readiness for the future and solidify its position as a global hub for advanced technology and AI.
Etisalat Celebrates 50 Years of Service
The meeting also marked the commencement of Etisalat’s celebrations for its fiftieth anniversary, where the group unveiled its future vision to lead the telecommunications sector backed by AI while affirming its historical identity as “Etisalat.” This name has been synonymous with customer trust and community engagement for five decades.
This initiative is the first major commitment under the group’s new strategy, which centres on empowering the telecommunications sector and advancing its growth through AI, leveraging four primary business sectors: telecommunications, AI and business solutions, infrastructure, and financial technology.
Jasim Mohammed Bouatabah Al Zaabi, Chairman of Etisalat Group, stated, “This project reflects our conviction that the UAE’s role extends beyond merely adopting AI; it involves governing it and innovating through it, necessitating the provision of an unprecedented digital infrastructure in the country’s history, while ensuring our complete ownership of it.”