UAE Sets New Benchmark: 99.5% Homes Now Fibre-Connected
The UAE leads the world in fiber-to-home coverage with 99.5% FTTH penetration rate, according to the 2024 FTTH Council Europe report. The country has maintained this position for nine consecutive years, outperforming tech giants like South Korea at 96.6% and China at 93.6%.
The nation’s reliable digital infrastructure spans an impressive 14.5 million kilometers of fiber optic network – a distance that could circle Earth more than 360 times. Abu Dhabi stands as a pioneer in this field since 2011, when it became the first capital city worldwide to achieve complete fiber optic coverage. This milestone established new standards for digital advancement globally.
UAE Achieves 99.5% FTTH Coverage, Outpacing Global Competitors
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The UAE has managed to keep its top spot in global fiber connectivity for almost ten years. Recent data from the FTTH Council Europe shows the UAE still leads with a remarkable 99.5% fiber-to-the-home coverage. This makes 2024 its ninth straight year as the world’s fiber optic leader since 2016.
The UAE’s remarkable success puts it well ahead of other countries globally. South Korea comes second with 96.6% coverage. China follows with 93.6%, while Barbados has 91.4%. Hong Kong rounds out the top five at 89.9%. Singapore, Japan, and other tech-savvy nations used to dominate these rankings before the UAE took the lead.
The UAE’s digital world thrives thanks to the government’s smart planning and major investments in infrastructure. The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) supports better digital connections consistently. H.E. Talal Belhoul Al Falasi, Chairman of TDRA’s Board of Directors, highlighted that ongoing investments make the UAE a “global innovation hub.”
e& UAE, which most people knew as Etisalat before, drives this impressive achievement. Their fiber optic network stretches over 14.5 million kilometers – enough to go around Earth more than 360 times. This strong network now connects more than 2.88 million homes across the country.
Fiber connectivity stands out from older technologies because it offers several advantages:
- Data moves almost at light speed
- Works more reliably and resists electromagnetic interference
- Provides better security against unauthorized access
- Signals stay strong over long distances
- Holds up well against moisture and temperature changes
The UAE strengthens its position as a model for excellent digital infrastructure. They now offer specialized services like Fiber-to-the-Yacht (FTTY) and Fiber-to-the-Room (FTTR).
e& UAE Expands Digital Infrastructure Across the Emirates
Image Source: Aletihad Newspaper
e& UAE strengthens its position as the backbone of the Emirates’ digital infrastructure through strategic expansions and technological breakthroughs. The telecom giant has implemented a detailed “Fiber-First” strategy that puts optical technology at the heart of its vision. This builds on the nation’s world-leading fiber penetration rate to deliver premium connectivity experiences.
The company goes beyond standard deployment by offering specialized solutions. These include Fiber-to-the-Yacht (FTTY) for marina connectivity and Fiber-to-the-Room (FTTR) services. The FTTR services provide improved wireless coverage throughout homes, which works perfectly for smart home ecosystems and tech-intensive users.
e& UAE expanded its SmartHub Data Center in Fujairah with a fourth Tier III facility. This addition brings 1.5 MW of capacity to boost the digital ecosystem. The carrier-neutral campus, 12 years old, serves multiple Tier 1 carriers, hyperscalers, and content delivery networks. Its strategic location at a major subsea Cable Landing Station connects the Middle East with Europe, America, Asia, and Africa.
The company pushes forward with its 5G network development by upgrading infrastructure to support 5G-Advanced. This upgrade enables higher capacities in dense areas and improves fiber backhaul capabilities. The initiative includes private 5G networks for critical sectors, as shown by their partnership with ADNOC to build the energy sector’s largest private 5G network.
e& UAE launched the Kids SIM Card and Parental Control Service to vary its service portfolio. This new service protects children’s online activities and gives parents tools to manage internet usage at home and on the go.
These developments are part of e& UAE’s broader investment strategy, with AED 22.03 billion committed to advance technology infrastructure in 16 countries. This all-encompassing approach helps e& UAE increase operational efficiency, improve customer experience, and create new revenue streams. The company has successfully changed from a traditional telecom operator into a complete technology enterprise.
First Abu Dhabi Bank Finances Digital Transformation Projects
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First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s largest bank, leads several strategic collaborations to speed up digital transformation in the financial sector. The bank started a multi-year partnership with Infosys to modernize its IT infrastructure services. This partnership uses Infosys Cobalt to boost FAB’s infrastructure-managed services and service desk capabilities.
FAB’s digital transformation goes beyond modernizing infrastructure. The bank works with IBM Consulting on its hybrid cloud trip, which helps move applications to cloud environments. This effort will optimize technology infrastructure within a hybrid multi-cloud strategy to cut costs and create room for breakthroughs.
The bank’s strategic alliance with Core42 moves its data center operations to the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. They use Microsoft Azure’s advanced cloud and AI technologies to boost efficiency in retail, corporate, SME, investment banking, risk management, and finance sectors.
These digital investments have paid off well. FAB cut operational costs by 57% by implementing Kong Gateway Enterprise for API management. The bank also reduced the need for developers to write infrastructure code. The bank launched a commercial mobile banking application in three months instead of seven, which saved four months of development time.
FAB’s dedication to customer-focused digital transformation led to partnerships with technology providers like Cisco AppDynamics. This allows proactive monitoring of more than 180 applications with better uptime and faster problem solving. The bank worked with Fenergo in June 2024 to speed up client onboarding and improve anti-money laundering compliance processes.
These efforts line up with UAE’s broader digital economy strategy to double the digital economy’s contribution to non-oil GDP from 11.7% to over 20% in the next decade. FAB boosts its operational capabilities through these strategic investments and partnerships. The bank also helps establish UAE’s position as a global leader in digital innovation and financial technology integration.
UAE has achieved remarkable 99.5% fiber-to-home coverage, which shows its technological leadership and strategic vision. The nation has managed to keep this impressive rate for nine straight years and now leads technological giants like South Korea and China substantially.
e& UAE runs an extensive fiber network that spans over 14.5 million kilometers. This network powers the country’s digital revolution. Their specialized offerings include Fiber-to-the-Yacht and Fiber-to-the-Room services, which showcase their dedication to providing detailed connectivity solutions.
First Abu Dhabi Bank’s strategic collaborations with global tech leaders have produced impressive results. The bank cut operational costs by 57% and sped up its digital service delivery. These results support UAE’s bigger digital economy plan to double the digital sector’s share of non-oil GDP.
UAE stands out globally as a measure of digital excellence because of its reliable infrastructure, strategic collaborations, and constant breakthroughs. This detailed strategy will give the nation continued leadership in tech advancement and digital transformation in coming years.
