du and China Telecom Global announce strategic partnership to drive UAE's smart nation ambitions

The MoU establishes a framework for both companies to explore and develop innovative telecommunications solutions that directly support the UAE's smart nation initiatives.

Dubai, UAE, December 11, 2025: du, the leading telecom and digital services provider, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Telecom Global (CTG), a tier 1 player in the global telecom industry, renowned for its extensive infrastructure and pivotal role in advancing international connectivity and technological innovation. The signing marks a significant milestone in bringing world-class telecommunications innovation to the UAE market. The strategic partnership MoU outlines collaboration across multiple cutting-edge technology areas including advanced video services, connected car solutions, autonomous networks, voice services, roaming services, and travel e-SIM capabilities. The partnership will focus on identifying and implementing technologies that can deliver immediate value to UAE customers while laying the groundwork for more advanced future collaborations.

Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Executive Officer at du, said: "This partnership with China Telecom Global represents our commitment to bringing world-class innovation to the UAE by co-creating solutions that address the unique needs of our market while supporting the UAE's vision of becoming a global smart nation leader. We actively seek strategic alliances that amplify our ability to deliver cutting-edge services to our customers and support the UAE’s digital vision."

The partnership will focus on four key technological domains: advanced video services that leverage AI and big data to transform video streams into actionable intelligence for industry-specific solutions; connected car technology enabling smart vehicle connectivity and IoT integration; autonomous network solutions powered by AI-driven network management and optimization; voice service collaboration, enhanced roaming services providing seamless international connectivity, and travel e-SIM services offering digital-first mobile connectivity for travellers.

Mr. Ziyu DONG, General Manager of China Telecom Africa & Middle East, said: "We are excited to partner with du to bring China Telecom's extensive telecommunications expertise and innovative solutions to the UAE market. Leveraging our advanced network technologies and operational excellence with du's deep understanding of the UAE market, we can deliver cutting-edge telecommunications services that will accelerate the nation's smart city ambitions and enhance connectivity for millions of users."

China Telecom Global brings extensive expertise in telecommunications infrastructure and emerging technologies, making it an ideal partner for du's mission to advance the UAE's digital transformation journey. The agreement comes as the UAE continues to position itself as a global technology hub, with both companies committed to exploring innovative solutions and deploy new service offerings.