Bharti Airtel, Etisalat enter infrastructure deal

Bharti Airtel, India's largest telecom operator by subscribers, has entered into an agreement with the UAE-based Etisalat to set up a multi-service regional network infrastructure node.

The two companies will set up the infrastructure node at Etisalat's smart hub facility in the Gulf region.

Etisalat's smart hub in the UAE is the region's largest capacity, content, internet and data hub in the Middle East, and provides regional access to global service providers and global access to the region.

The new multi-service regional network infrastructure node includes Airtel's multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) services supported by its global network, Airtel said in a statement.

This will allow Airtel to provide advanced data and wholesale services to its customers in the Middle East and Africa and enhance in-region connectivity through Etisalat's regional network.

It will also provide a platform to Etisalat to reach  key global business hubs such as Africa and India, it added.

''We are proud that Bharti Airtel, a longtime Etisalat partner has chosen SmartHub. The facility will offer Airtel array of regional connectivity options both in and out of the region. This partnership will also enable direct routing of traffic between the Middle East and Africa, Asia and Europe. We look forward to many more years of cooperation with Bharti Airtel and are delighted to be working closely with them to enhance the customer experience,'' said Ali Amiri, executive vice president of Etisalat's carrier and wholesale business.

''With a commitment to provide best in class services to all its customers and strong focus on emerging markets, Bharti Airtel has made significant investments in creating a globe spanning network infrastructure. The collaboration with Etisalat will further help us to cater to the growing bandwidth demands of our enterprise and carrier customers in the region,'' said Ajay Chitkara, CCEO, global business, Bharti Airtel.