France Telecom has formed a technological and commercial partnership with UAE operator Etisalat. Under the terms of an MoU the two will collaborate on domestic services, content and the international network, including dual and triple play offerings..
Etisalat will invest in the France Telecom, Sagem and Thomson joint venture, SoftAtHome, which intends to develop triple play standards, while France Telecom and Etisalat will jointly purchase content to distribute it in their respective markets.
They will both invest in the production of TV programming and films through Studio 37, France Telecom's content production subsidiary.
The alliance also covers mobile roaming to optimise international coverage for Etisalat and Orange customers, to optimise mobile voice and data, to improve service provision and to promote innovative services, according to Telecompaper.