Etisalat"s Telecoms Regulatory Compliance Program

Sam Robinson, Specialist, Regulatory Compliance, Etisalat, UAE

In April 2009 Etisalat UAE launched a Telecoms Regulatory Compliance Program (‘Compliance Program’) for the first time. This paper will describe the genesis of Etisalat’s Compliance Program and establishment of a regulatory compliance function within its Regulatory Legal Affairs Department, how and why it was initiated, the key objectives and strategy of the Compliance Program as well as the key outcomes of the Program and lessons learned during implementation so far. Challenges both internal and external to Etisalat in implementing the Compliance Program will be described, including the resourcing constraints of a small team; a rapidly changing and complex regulatory environment; and the need to adapt internal guidelines and controls to align with existing operational practices and corporate objectives. Based on the best principles for compliance programs laid down by Australian Standard AS3806 – 2006, the four key objectives of the Compliance Program that have been developed (management commitment, knowledge and awareness, risk controls and continual improvement in line with international best practice) will then be described in detail.

Sam Robinson joined Etisalat as a Specialist, Telecoms Regulatory Compliance in February 2009. Prior to his current role, Sam worked in telecommunications policy for several years within the Australian government.

Etisalat has been the telecommunications service provider in the UAE since 1976, and has built up a modern telecom infrastructure and established itself as an innovative and reliable operator. Etisalat stands 140th among the Financial Times Top 500 Corporations in the world in terms of market capitalization, and is ranked by The Middle East magazine as the 6th largest company in the Middle East in terms of capitalization and revenues.