Starting with a quick shift towards remote work during the lockdown, businesses in the Middle East have moved towards digitisation to meet changing consumer demands in the new normal. The UAE has been at the forefront of supporting emerging online companies and existing firms, with technical knowhow along with uninterrupted connectivity.

The migration towards the digital realm has largely been supported via tools that facilitated virtual meetings and enabled seamless sharing of data. Apart from global players offering their services to Emirati entrepreneurs, the UAE's telecom major Etisalat has also rolled out solutions to ease online collaboration.

Powered by the telco's high speed internet, an integrated suite offers Etisalat CloudTalk along with similar options like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Avaya Spaces and Cisco's Webex. All of these have been tested on Etisalat's network to ensure smooth functioning, and will offer high quality audio and video for hassle-free meetings in the post-pandemic era.

Firms which have moved back to offices will also benefit from the package, since they can integrate virtual tools into their premises for a hybrid experience. Apart from offering platforms aimed at enabling real-time communication and data exchange, Etisalat will also be the single service provider for all the solutions.

The UAE has become a go to destination for digital nomads who work remotely and budding entrepreneurs with new ideas, thanks to the tech infrastructure it offers. Etisalat has played a major role in the Emirates' digital evolution, by providing glitch-free internet, which is also among the world's fastest.

After touching record high 5G speed using a device that combines multiple wavelengths, Etisalat has even unveiled plans to deploy 6G internet in the UAE.

As Abu Dhabi and Dubai promise growth for global startups through funding and dedicated hubs, Etisalat is also offering its own set of initiatives to empower new businesses. The Hello Business Hub' will act as a one-stop shop for all small and medium businesses in the country, on the road to digitisation.