Du, Etisalat to Share Infrastructure by July

An United Arab Emirates telecommunication company, Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, or du, will invest over Dh2 billion (USD544 million) on network expansion and development this year, and offer the first set of services on shared infrastructure with dominant telecom operator Etisalat by July.

Sharing of infrastructure has been identified as a key step towards lowering UAE's telecom and broadband tariffs, which are said to be the highest in the region. Analysts said a shared telecom infrastructure will enable both service providers, Etisalat and du, to focus on service development and innovation. It is expected that the shared infrastructure later this year will encourage greater competition and encourage greater quality of service, more consumer choice and more competitive prices.