The partnerships, signed at Capacity Middle East 2014, are designed to enhance TM’s and Aicent’s position in the Middle East and North Africa through Etisalat’s SmartHub data centre, which is located in Fujairah, UAE.
TM’s deal with Etisalat’s SmartHub will allow the Malaysian carrier to extend its data network capabilities into countries including Libya, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Tanzania. The move also enables TM to connect its customers in the Middle East through diversified routes to Europe and Asia.
TM will use the data centre to deliver its content, IPX, IX and high speed data services for its customers in the Middle Eastern region.
“This partnership will allow TM to further expand its reach by establishing a multi-functional network node at Etisalat’s SmartHub. Over the past year, the hub has already proved its capability in providing the consistency and best in class connectivity in the region,” said Ali Amiri, EVP of carrier & wholesale services at Etisalat.
“This addresses the need of the operators who have to adapt to the changing business dynamics and requirements in the region and globally. Etisalat’s SmartHub is designed to provide our partners with a one stop shop for connectivity to the region.”
Aicent meanwhile, will connect its multi-service IPX to the SmartHub data centre, allowing subscribers to roam between international operator networks.
The agreement will give Etisalat and Aicent access a larger number of global mobile operators and will allow carriers to launch next-generation services faster via a single connection to Aicent and Etisalat’s community of mobile networks across global markets.
“The continued growth of application based mobile services has also increased the demand for IPX interconnections as more and more network operators recognise its importance as an efficient multiservice platform to deliver high quality voice and mobile data services,” said Shu Gan, EVP of strategic business development and global sales at Aicent.
“As one of the largest mobile service provider in the Middle East, this agreement with Etisalat will allow Aicent to reach a growing base of mobile subscribers.”
