UAE's leading telecom services operator Etisalat Group has signed an MoU with communications technology leader Ericsson for a new collaboration in the field of high-speed, responsive networks, thus laying the foundation for enhanced next-generation infrastructure for m-government and smart city initiatives.

High-speed broadband connectivity is fundamentally changing the way people live, interact and do business, consumers expect access to information, entertainment and businesses with faster speeds, said a statement from Etisalat.

Through this partnership, the UAE telco giant and Ericsson will launch trials of innovative technologies such as LTE Broadcast, Radio Dot System, and Ericsson’s heterogeneous network solutions, it stated.

“Over the Years, Etisalat Group has demonstrated its capability to build and sustain the most advanced and innovative networks” remarked Hatem Bamatraf, the chief technology officer.

“Conducting such innovative trials will be only the first step in what will pave the way for further collaborations and the eventual delivery of more advanced, reliable and faster broadband access to users across the region,” he added.

Under the deal, Etisalat will jointly collaborate with Ericsson to explore opportunities of expanding Mobile Identity-based services across Etisalat Group footprint.

Mobile Identity is a key foundation for mGovernment, mCommerce and mHealth services which allows subscribers to use their mobile identity securely via a one-click sign in, giving secure access to diverse applications, government services and websites.

According to him, the duo will support regional government initiatives with key enablers such as ubiquitous connectivity, citizen proximity (ensuring services are just one click away), ease of access (single sign on), and open platforms.

The parties will work together to ensure that citizens have seamless access to services through the devices of their choice, without compromising on performance or user experience.

Khalifa Al Shamsi, the chief digital services officer said Etisalat Group aims to deliver innovative experiences to its customers anytime, anywhere. "For that, we are always looking for the latest technologies that enable the most advanced customer experience. Enabling the Networked Society across our network will support m-government initiatives," he noted.

“Over the years, partnerships with Ericsson have placed Etisalat at the forefront of deploying leading technologies, guiding us to enable the Networked Society,” he added.

Anders Lindblad , the president of Ericsson region (ME) said its collaboration with Etisalat would help bring the reality of a Networked Society even closer to realization, as individuals across the region benefit from seamless connectivity.
 
 “It is collaborations such as these that will carry us forward into a more connected future, where technologies are deployed to build more robust, reliable networks to enable superior user experiences,” he stated.-TradeArabia News Service