Telstra has announced it is to partner with Etisalat to launch a new point of presence (PoP) in the UAE
In an announcement made at the Capacity Middle East wholesale conference in Dubai this week, the Australian telecommunications firm revealed that its new base will be housed in Etisalat?s UAE Smarthub facility.
The deal, they say, will enable the company to reduce latency and increase network availability across the Middle East, a ?high value? region for Telstra.
Bernadette Noujaim Baldwin, head of connectivity & platforms at Telstra, said, ?The Middle East is an emerging economic and technological powerhouse, with IDC predicting almost double digit year on year growth in IT expenditure, which is expected to hit more than US$270bn in 2015 alone.
?In light of these economic conditions, it is drawing in businesses that require a stable local network with international reach.
?It?s critical these organisations have access to integrated, robust and seamless connectivity options and we are pleased to extend our network into this region to address such demands.?
The new PoP will also allow Telstra to take advantage of the Bay of Bengal Gateway (BBG) cable, which is due to come into service later this year.
The cable system, currently being constructed by a consortium of telecommunications companies which includes Etisalat, will provide a high-speed trunk connection between Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and the Far East.
Etisalat?s executive vice president of carrier & wholesale services, Ali Amiri, said, ?We are delighted to welcome Telstra, Etisalat's long-term technology partner, to the Smarthub and we look forward to continued cooperation with them.
?Thanks to the robust capabilities of Etisalat?s Smarthub, global operators such as Telstra have recognised the value of collaborating with Etisalat to deliver the network quality and seamless services that only our combined international and regional strengths can offer.?
The Smarthub is the largest capacity content, internet and data hub in the Middle East, and includes the Middle East?s first IPX for mobile operators.
