Etisalat last week announced its partnership with Epsilon Telecommunications, world’s largest global telecom network exchange, to 
deploy its Middle Eastern network exchange at Etisalat’s SmartHub in Fujairah, UAE.
Epsilon will be deploying its eConnect platform at the SmartHub datacenter which will support its interconnections, capacity trading platform (eCX) and restoration services across the region and the globe. Additionally, the global telecom network exchange will also provide managed co-location services to their clientele from Etisalat’s SmartHub.
Etisalat’s strategic undersea cable landings in Fujairah allow Epsilon to cross connect systems that bridge Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. The SmartHub facility offers access to ‘The East African Marine System’ (TEAMS), ‘India-Middle East-Western Europe’ (IMEWE), SeaMeWe3, SeaMeWe4, TGN Gulf, as well as other undersea and regional terrestrial cable systems.
Ali Amiri, Executive Vice President, Etisalat Carrier and Wholesale services said: “We are delighted to have Epsilon join Etisalat’s SmartHub, the largest telecommunications hub in the region. This partnership is in line with our overall strategy to evolve Smarthub through partnerships that secure UAE and Etisalat’s position as the major telecommunications hub.”
Andreas Hipp, CEO, Epsilon Telecommunications said: “Etisalat’s SmartHub is a central cross connect point for the Gulf, Middle East and our global business. Local operators are looking for our support in delivering cross-border connectivity rather than routing traffic via Europe. There is also growing demand for our capacity trading platform eCX across the region. We are establishing our first Middle Eastern Network Hub in Etisalat SmartHub in Fujairah because it is really a crossroads for international connectivity.”
Epsilon is a carrier-neutral provider of network services ranging from point-to-point leased lines to a fully ‘managed global presence’ for its service provider customers. This includes network connectivity, co-location, network and data center consultancy and design, system integration, commissioning and maintenance services. It has over 500 network operators pre-connected on its network exchange.
