Dubai - Mubasher: Du is currently preparing to the second phase of the network sharing, in line with the directions of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), the company’s CEO said in an interview with Mubasher on Monday.

Osman Sultan added that the second phase will include TV broadcasting services for companies and individuals, and that it will enhance the sector’s competiveness.

The agreement has helped increase the number of subscribers to the company’s landline service, the CEO added.

Du and Etisalat has launched a new cooperation initiative to develop new areas in the UAE, and provide the best services and infrastructure, the CEO revealed, noting that the first phase of the initiative includes 50 projects that will be applicable models nationwide.

Sultan added that the company’s strategy in 2017 was focused on raising returns from telecommunication services, especially internet and mobile services, which currently account for 33% of the total revenues.

The company is also planning to increase other revenues from outside of the telecom sector that currently stand at 2% of the total income, to reach 15% within 5 years.

These services would include data hosting and corporate cloud services, with a focus on smart communities, cities and content services in general.

The CEO indicated that the Virgin Mobile brand that was introduced to the Emirati market a month ago was well-received by customers across the country, adding that it is not a new license or operator, nor is it a virtual network, but that it is only a commercial agreement with Virgin to use its brand in the UAE, noting that its focus is on millennials who are leaning towards texting and digital services, with only credit card holders able to use application services, as all payments are made online.

When asked about investments in infrastructure, the CEO said that investments were increased to AED 1.1 billion, with most of it dedicated to infrastructure and networks, with Abu Dhabi dominating AED 366.6 million of the company’s investments, including providing 4G network and high speed connection services.

Du is currently conducting studies on the use of 5G networks, as it is the first provider of the service in the UAE to do trials for the new generation of networks.

The company will continue to research case studies and do trials and experiments, until the service is officially launched in 2020, as it will contribute to the digitalization and moving from voice calls to video services, which are the base of the future, Sultan stressed.

The CEO also said that his company enjoys a very strong financial position that is sufficient to cover future plans and strategies, without need for any loans or finances.

Regarding expansion plans, he said that his company is operating in the most dynamic in the region, the UAE, adding that expansion that there are currently no expansion plans on Du’s agenda.