Dubai Internet City and Arthur D. Little Conduct Survey on Business Value of Green Initiatives in Regional Telecom Operators

Dubai: 1 October, 2009 – Dubai Internet City, the region’s largest managed ICT cluster and a member of TECOM Investments, today announced it is conducting a survey in association with Arthur D. Little, global leaders in management consultancy, exploring the level of sustainability management in regional telecom operators and more specifically sustainability management relating to energy and carbon.

The research survey examines the degree of integration of energy and carbon  management into the company’s business strategy and organization. It evaluates the levels of energy consumption among telecom operators in the MENA region while looking at key drivers that influence them to reduce their rate of power intake. It also identifies areas that could further improve the management of energy and carbon within the industry.

Out of the 34 telecom operators contacted across the region, 12 are participating in the study so far with interviews conducted at senior management level. Together, the operators serve about 64 million customers.

Results from the survey will guide telecom players in recognizing revenue generating opportunities through offering their services in a sustainable manner.

Malek Al Malek, Executive Director, Dubai Internet City, said:

While sustainable energy and environment are currently the most discussed topics, it is interesting to see how the new wave of conservation measures can create concrete business benefits to the telecom sector. We are already witnessing a shift in the perception of green sustainability, from being a trophy gesture to a key tool that is being aligned to core business objectives.

As a renowned ICT cluster that has established a reputation worldwide for its pioneering concepts, Dubai Internet City is proud to be associated with the survey that will bring immense benefits to the telecom industry.

A number of areas on carbon policies within companies are being addressed in the survey including the framework in which such policies exist, how an organization makes optimal use of energy consumption while reducing carbon emissions, as well as programmes and initiatives that save energy and help cut costs.

Davide Vassallo, Director of Arthur D. Little’s Global Sustainability & Risk Practice said:

The study – the first of its kind in the region - has demonstrated that relevant improvement in managing energy and carbon emission can be done by telecom operators, with tangible and measurable benefits on cost reduction and brand value.

The ICT cluster continues to launch initiatives that look to explore fresh growth avenues and identify existing business opportunities that can be further augmented to nurture budding entrepreneurs in the region.

Notes to Editors

Acknowledgement

Arthur D.Little and Dubai Internet City would like to thank most sincerely the operators taking part in this survey for their valuable time and contribution: Batelco, Maroc Telecom, Mobinil, MTC Touch, Nawras, Ogero Telecom, Omantel, Orange, Qtel, Vodafone Egypt, Zain (Kuwait and Bahrain)

About Dubai Internet City

Dubai Internet City (DIC), a member of TECOM Investments, was established in 2000. It is currently regarded the Middle East's largest information and communications technology (ICT) cluster. Built as a strategic base for companies targeting emerging markets in several neighbouring regions, DIC’s core focus area extends from the Middle East to the Indian Subcontinent, and from Africa to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), covering nearly three billion people with a GDP of over US$10 trillion. As a knowledge-oriented business model, DIC has created a dynamic international community of IT companies hosting business partners that include some of the Fortune 500 brands, as well as a number of small and medium enterprises and ventures. In 2008, 140 new companies joined the DIC cluster. For more information, please visit: www.dubaiinternetcity.com

About Arthur D. Little

Arthur D. Little, founded in 1886, is a global leader in management consultancy; linking strategy, innovation and technology with deep industry knowledge. We offer our clients sustainable solutions to their most complex business problems. Arthur D. Little has a collaborative client engagement style, exceptional people and a firm-wide commitment to quality and integrity. The firm has over 30 offices worldwide. With its partner Altran Technologies Arthur D. Little has access to a network of over 16,000 professionals. Arthur D. Little is proud to serve many of the Fortune 100 companies globally, in addition to many other leading firms and public sector organizations. For further information please visit: www.adl.com

For further information, please contact:

Angelina Wong
Senior Account Executive
JIWIN Public Relations
Tel: + 971 4 369 2834
Email: Angelina.wong@jiwin.ae