Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI2348
2006-06-07 10:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

UAE REQUESTS U.S. SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL

Tags:  ECPS AORC AE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0627
RR RUEHDE
DE RUEHAD #2348 1581058
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 071058Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5549
INFO RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 6224
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002348 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS AORC AE
SUBJECT: UAE REQUESTS U.S. SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL
TELECOMMUNICATIONS UNION COUNCIL NOMINATION

REF: A. STATE 51211


B. STATE 46962

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 002348

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS AORC AE
SUBJECT: UAE REQUESTS U.S. SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL
TELECOMMUNICATIONS UNION COUNCIL NOMINATION

REF: A. STATE 51211


B. STATE 46962


1. (U) The Embassy received via diplomatic note May 28 the
UAE,s request for U.S. support for their nomination to the
International Telecommunication Union Council (ITU).


2. (U) Begin text of diplomatic note:

The Ministry has the honor to inform the Embassy that the UAE
has achieved a distinguished level in telecommunications,
regulatory affairs and information technology. On this
basis, the UAE has applied for nomination to the
International Telecommunication Union Council (ITU) for the
period of 2006-2010. The election will take place during the
International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary
Conference, November 2006 in Antalya, Turkey.

End Text.


3. (SBU) Comment: The UAE has a mobile phone penetration
rate of 95% and a well developed telecommunications sector.
It joined the International Telecommunication Union in 1972.
Etisalat, the UAE's first telecommunications company, has
significant foreign investments. In April 2004, the UAE
officially broke the monopoly rights of the 60% UAEG owned
telecommunications company Etisalat. Subsequently, the UAE
provided a license to the Emirates Integrated
Telecommunications Company (branded Du),which is 40% owned
by the UAEG. The other 60% of the shares are equally divided
among Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Emirate of Dubai state-owned
enterprises and publicly traded shares. Once the two
telecommunications companies conclude their access
agreements, telecommunications in the UAE will be offered by
a duopoly. So far, the UAE has resisted further opening its
telecommunications sector. End Comment.
SISON