The UAEmaintained its Arab and regional leadership in a number of ICT related indicators, according to the Global Innovation Index Report 2020, which included results related to Global Competitiveness indicators for ICT sector.

According to the report, the UAE ranked first on the Arab and regional level in information and communication technologies (ICTs) pillar, ICT access indicator, and ICT use indicator. The UAE also ranked first in the Arab region in Generic top-level domains (gTLDs), and in Country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) (.ae). This reflects the UAE’s efforts in enforcing the digital transformation embodied by the government’s directions towards being one of the leading countries in the world.

Dr. Ahmed bin Ali, Group Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Etisalat, said: “Etisalat is proud to contribute to the UAE ranking first in a number of ICT indicators in the Global Innovation Index 2020. Etisalat’s philosophy since its inception was to revolutionise the telecom sector while transitioning to the digital era and being well equipped for the future. Etisalat retained ‘The Most Valuable Consumer Brand’ in MENA for the third consecutive year by Brand Finance, while Ooklarecognised Etisalat for being the fastest mobile network in MENA and broadband network in GCC, Africa and Arabian region.

“Digital transformation in Etisalat is at the centre of this strategy and leveraging technologies that can help accelerate this transition to the new era. Etisalat becamefirst telco in MENA in May 2018 to launch the commercial 5G network providing fixed wireless service in the UAE,and the first telecom operator in MENA to enable its customers to experience the power of the 5G network and release the first 5G handset before many others.”

UAE is ranked numberone for the highest FTTH penetration among all its global counterparts for three years in a row according to the leading industry body FTTH council. UAE also has the highest percentage of mobile internet subscribers, and the highest percentage of internet users per population.

According the Global Knowledge Index 2019, the UAE maintained the number one ranking for percentage of mobile coverage for inhabitants; number one for internet broadband subscriptions; and number one in the Arab world and region in smart government services as per United Nations’ E-government survey in July 2020.

UAE has the fastest mobile internet network in the world, reflecting the advancement witnessed in the ICT sector in the UAE, according to the latest report issued by Ookla on July 2020.