Cisco explains how Du is building transformation strategy

Cisco has explained how it’s assisting Du to become an ICT service provider in the Middle East by 2021 as part of the transformation strategy.
Du transformation strategy
Du has released a whitepaper called EITC Infrastructure Outlook 2021 setting the framework for the company’s digital transformation in terms of technology adoption, transition to digital services, as well as customer centricity and uniformity of experience.

“We have been working diligently towards bringing next generation technologies such as 5G, IoT, AI, and blockchain into our network,” said Saleem AlBlooshi, chief infrastructure officer of EITC.

Du innovation

Du in partnership with Dubai Future Accelerators will integrate its partner’s AI messaging capabilities in its network. Customers will be able to communicate with Du’s customer care and services, devices in their smart homes and offices via text and/or voice messaging on the channels of their choice like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc.

Du in association with Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority will integrate its partner’s virtual reality and 360-degree live video library of content.

What Du wants

Du is aiming to become a software defined service provider by introducing new technology capabilities identified over the next two to three years.

Du will be moving from a dedicated infrastructure to a shared one (convergent SP cloud) for all network and IT functions in phases. Some services will be virtualised and migrated to the new cloud. Others will reach the end of life. Du will introduce new services and host on the new platform.

du’s strategic focus in driving transformation include better customer experience, innovative services and solutions, and agility in operations – supported by innovation.

Cisco provides the foundation for digital transformation through its product and services portfolio and digital solutions that bring together connectivity, security, automation, and analytics.

Cisco estimates that M2M modules will account for 51 percent of networked devices in 2021, while 43 percent of all networked devices will be mobile-connected, of which smartphones will account for half.

“Cisco is collaborating with du to evolve their offerings beyond traditional connectivity services to incorporate digital lifestyle and enterprise offerings,” Ali Amer, managing director, Global Service Provider Sales, Cisco Middle East and Africa, said.

According to Cisco’s survey of Middle East and Africa enterprise customers in 2017, five times as many visitors as the resident population visit Dubai during the six months of tourism season.

72 percent of customers express interest in Virtual Managed Services (VMS), where some of the capabilities delivered by customer premises equipment (CPE) are delivered either fully or through hybrid cloud solutions. 88 percent of enterprise customers surveyed want a bundled security service with network service.

du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), serves nearly 9 million customers with its mobile, fixedline, broadband internet, and home services over its 4G LTE network. du also caters to over 100,000 UAE businesses with its ICT and managed services.