du and Cisco Expand Strategic Relationship

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, Jan 22 (MARKET WIRE) --
du, the United Arab Emirates' new telecommunications operator, has revealed its
plans to strengthen strategic relations with Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), by exploring
the
use of the Cisco-enabled Virtual Service Provider (VSP) model. The new model
willoffer bundled packaged services to meet the voice communications, data
services and network security needs of small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
The
agreement was discussed at a meeting between Cisco chairman and CEO John
Chambers, du chairman, Ahmad Bin Bayat, and Osman Sultan, chief executive
officer at du.

The Cisco VSP model will help accelerate du's customer acquisitions and
revenues by blending its existing capabilities with those of Cisco, along with
its ecosystem of mobility partners. du expects to extend the VSP offering and
the related products and services to SMBs and residential markets. Through its
cooperation with Cisco, du will also deliver world-class solutions over a
pervasive, intelligent and end-to-end IP broadband infrastructure. du and
Cisco intend to continue to work together in key technology areas and drive the
evolution of du's Internet Protocol (IP) Next-Generation Network architecture.

Osman Sultan, chief executive officer, du, said: "du's association with
Cisco
will ensure that we continue to deliver first-class next generation technologies
that are customer-centric. These next-generation IP network developments will
enableus to continue to deliver intelligent and customer-centric solutions
through new
go-to-market models. Through our collaboration with Cisco, we are setting
the stage for the introduction of world-class services as well as increasing
the value these services have to offer.

"Broadband is a key driver for the future growth of the telecom market in
the region. Embarking on such a relationship with a strong global player like
Cisco is another step for du to bring intelligent communication solutions to the
UAE,"
added Sultan.

Sam Alkharrat, managing director of Cisco Gulf and Pakistan, said:
"Serviceproviders no longer rely on voice as the single driver for revenue
generation and
are now aggressively tapping into the new wave of rich interactive services to
attract new customers, while creating high-margin revenue opportunities.

"We're proud of our history with du and we hope that such market-moving
strategies will
help enable du to expand its services across the UAE and wider Gulf region,
not just with their traditional SMB customers but existing multinationals, to
meet new customer demand," continued Alkharrat.

Prior to the creation of du, Cisco collaborated with TECOM, to deploy
multi-tenant unified communications services, residential voice, video and
data services and managed business services at Dubai Internet and Media Cities,
based on an IP/Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) infrastructure enabled by
Cisco
technologies.

About du

du, the new telecommunications company in the UAE, launched mobile
telecommunication services on 11 February 2007 across the UAE in addition to
Internet and pay TV services in some of the free zones of Dubai. Call Select,
the first of du's nationwide Fixed line services for voice telephony, was
launched in July 2007.

Among du's many firsts is its historic Number Booking Campaign for both
individuals and business, Pay by the Second billing system, Mobile TV, Mobile
Payments, first of its kind 'WoW' recharge card (which offers customers the
choice between more credit and more time) and Self Care. du business offers
include Closed Business User Group and preferred International Destinations.

du's retail network, currently numbering 16 du shops located in strategic
locations
across all emirates, was launched on 25 February 2007, supporting the delivery
of du
services to customers.

du is 40 percent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 20 percent by Mubadala
Development Company, 20 percent by TECOM Investments and 20 percent by
public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades
under the name du.

du was recognised as the 'Best Brand' for its innovative branding and
outstanding success at the Telecom World Awards Middle East 2007.

www.du.ae

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms
how
people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be
found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to
http://newsroom.cisco.com. Cisco equipment in the Middle East is supplied by
Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc.

Cisco, Cisco Systems, and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks
or
trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and
certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are
the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not
imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. This
document is Cisco Public Information.

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Cisco
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