French telecoms equipment firm, Alcatel-Lucent has joined forces with Etisalat to develop and apply the latest networking technologies to enhance mobile broadband access and improve digital customers’ experiences.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Etisalat is a mobile operator with operations in 19 countries across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Last year Etisalat said its African subscribers had reached 71.1 million for the period ended 30 September 2014.

In terms of the partnership agreement it would cover a wide scope of cooperation with Alcatel-Lucent providing key IP and ultra-broadband access technologies, as well as customer experience solutions.

Saeed Al Zarouni, Etisalat senior vice president for Mobile Networks said, “We have successfully partnered with leading global technology providers to help shape the high quality of service that we extend to our customers.”

“We look forward to strengthening our long-standing relationship with Alcatel-Lucent, and ultimately giving our customers an unmatched experience,” he stated.

Alcatel-Lucent’s president for the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and Azerbaijan Amr K. El-Leithy added, “Etisalat and Alcatel-lucent have a long-standing history of collaboration. With our technical leadership and transformation expertise, we will be able to support Etisalat unleash its full business potential and deliver innovative solutions that push the boundaries of the telecoms industry to provide an unmatched mobile broadband experience.”