Chair of ITU Council 2022
Saif Bin Ghelaita, Executive Director of Technology Development Affairs at the UAE Telecommunications & Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA)
Saif Bin Ghelaita is the Executive Director of Technology Development Affairs at the UAE Telecommunications & Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). He is entrusted with the technical department overlooking different technical and policy development matters relating to the numbering resources and the national number plan of the UAE, the Type approval regime, the national emergency plan of the telecommunication sector, fixed & wireless networks Qos and the future networks including IoT related matters.
With over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications sector, Eng. Saif has started his career in the incumbent telecommunication operator in the UAE, Etisalat, in 1997. Saif started his career as an engineer in the mobile planning and optimization looking after deployment & monitoring of mobile network in Dubai. He then expanded to managing the various mobile based technologies and services where he lead a team of experts in the field of mobile value added services.
Saif joined the TDRA in 2006. He established the wireless networks and services function which grew to include Future Networks and Telecom Emergency Management. He participated in the development of the several regulatory framework processes and procedures in the UAE. He has also held the position of Chief Innovation Officer of the TDRA responsible for innovation development in the organization and its services. Since joining the TDRA, Saif has been participating in the ITU events and meeting representing the UAE. He is also elected in different capacities for the regional committees and working groups. He is well-rounded executive who grew through the technology function with strong knowledge of Telecom industry and was able to gain a significant depth of experience specifically in Telecom policy and regulations.
Eng. Saif holds an undergraduate degree from Khalifa University of Science and Research, UAE. He is also a graduate of the Government Leaders Program managed by the Prime Minister Office of the UAE government. He also holds a Public Sector Innovation Diploma from Cambridge University, UK.
