Etisalat & Tata Communications introduce advanced communication services in UAE

UAE telecom operator, Etisalat, and Tata Communications today announced the launch of enterprise network services offering a range of dedicated Ethernet services to Etisalat customers seeking connectivity in the UAE and globally. With this tie up with Tata Communications, Etisalat will extend its reach by offering Layer-2 Global Ethernet services into and out of the UAE, while Tata Communications can now extend its global network coverage into the UAE.

Tata Communications is the global leader in Ethernet services portfolio. Etisalat can now leverage Tata Communications' Ethernet portfolio to offer advanced network services to its customers who are expanding globally into new and emerging markets, looking for a service provider who provides the best connectivity options.

Its range of services include transmission, IP, converged voice, mobility, managed network connectivity, hosting and storage, managed security, managed collaboration and business transformation for global enterprises and service providers, as well as Internet, retail broadband and content services for Indian consumers. The Tata Global Network encompasses one of the most advanced and largest submarine cable networks, a Tier-1 IP network, with connectivity to more than 200 countries across 300 Pops, and more than 1 million square feet of data center and co-location facilities.

The Tata Group company's emerging market depth and breadth of reach includes a national fiber backbone network and access to network in over 60 cities and 125 Pops in India, strategic investments in South African converged services operator, Neotel, Sri Lanka and Nepal and, subject to fulfillment of conditions precedent, a 50-per cent ownership in China Enterprise Communications (CEC) providing full country VPN coverage in China.

Tata Communications' MEF (Metro Ethernet Forum) certified range of Ethernet services span across five continents and features Layer-2 Ethernet over SONET/SDH, Ethernet over MPLS and a range of configurations to keep pace with the growth in customer requirements. Ethernet today is an ideal choice for enterprises with growing bandwidth and technology requirements, as it is cost-effective, scalable, and a flexible solution for enterprises of all sizes.

Abdulla Hashim, vice president, business solutions at Etisalat said, ''Through this partnership, Etisalat will offer benefits of dedicated end-to-end bandwidth through a superior variety of global Ethernet solutions in addition to offering value added services like Managed Disaster Recovery, Managed Data centre services etc. to our customers.''

Etisalat also plans to extend its global footprint by either setting up its own nodes or by partnering with the best telecom operators across the globe. Etisalat currently has partnerships with 15 major telecom providers worldwide since 2005 and has been offering international connectivity solutions to major customers. By partnering with Tata Communications, Etisalat has completed the loop of reaching every corner of the world.

Tata Communications will now be able to extend connectivity into the UAE for its Ethernet and global MPLS customers. It considers the UAE as a highly strategic market experiencing rapid growth in international trade and business. Tata Communications, with one of the largest submarine cable networks in the world and a sophisticated array of managed services, would further enhance the UAE nodes into a hub for its enterprise network solutions in the Gulf region.

Both companies say they intend to build and offer a host of value-added services including telepresence, managed security services, (CDN) content delivery networks, hosting and managed contact centres into the region. Tata Communications now has a new office in Dubai, in addition to its existing office in Abu Dhabi.

Etisalat is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world and the largest operator in the Arab world headquartered in the UAE. Etisalat operates in 18 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa, servicing over 80 millio customers. It also has points of presence  in New York, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris and Singapore providing a global reach.

In addition to being the UAE's telecom provider, Etisalat has now expanded to manage and operate telecom companies in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Pakistan, Tanzania, Benin, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Niger, Togo, Republic of Central Africa, Ivory Coast,  Nigeria , Indonesia and Afghanistan. With shares in Sudan's 'Sudatel', India, Qatar's Q-Tel and Thuraya, the satellite telephone service provider.

Commenting on this partnership Vinod Kumar, chief operating officer of Tata Communications, ''Expansion into the UAE in partnership with Etisalat achieves a key milestone in our strategy of building connectivity into emerging markets and being the provider of choice, delivering seamless solutions to meet the varied and wide spread network needs of our global customers.''

Both providers will also to work on various marketing and sales support activities in the UAE and globally to develop and deliver innovative solutions. These solutions would be targeted for key enterprise segments such as airlines, media, real estate, logistics, banking & finance and other companies.

''We stand to realise long and lasting benefits from joining hands with an acclaimed telecommunications provider like Etisalat. Their expertise, experience in the UAE and their vast array of services will be of high advantage to our customers expanding operations in this region.'' commented Radwan Moussalli, managing director of the Middle East and North Africa regions for Tata Communications.