PCCW Global and Etisalat Group sign group framework agreement for voice interconnection

May 28, 2014 - PRLog -- HKT (SEHK: 6823) – HONG KONG / ABU DHABI, May 13, 2014 – PCCW Global, the international operating division of HKT, Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider, and Etisalat Group, a leading telecom operator with operations in 15 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa, have signed a group framework agreement (GFA) for voice interconnection.

The voice interconnection will access PCCW Global’s international IPX network capabilitywhich provides guaranteed end-to-end delivery of voice and mobile data services to more than 50 destinations over a private and managed IP network, carried by one of the world’s largest private IP backbones.

Etisalat Group operationswill have direct access to PCCW Global routes into these countries around the world. This is via an extensive transmission network that combines MPLS, IPL, terrestrial and satellite links as well as PCCW Global’s 50-plus IPX interconnections. These operations will benefit from a unique solution that features end-to-end compression and remote regional switching dedicated to keeping regional traffic within the region.

PCCW Global’s customers and partners will benefit from the addition of Etisalat affiliate networks to the extensivelist of MNOs that have chosen PCCW Global as a partner.

Mr. Emmanuel Bain, PCCW Global’s Vice President for Voice Services in Mideast and Africa,said, “This agreement will reinforce our already strong relations with Etisalat by putting more focus on Etisalat’s African and Asian operations while demonstrating our determination to turn customers’ business goals into reality through communications technology. In this regard, our IPX platform enables development and global delivery of new generation IP-based services such as our HD Video Calling service, with guaranteed levels of interoperability.”

He added, “PCCW Global serves MNOs with the genuine end-to-end value of IPX over a private and managed IP network, unlike some carriers which use Internet or international longdistance links to access IPX platforms.”

Mr. Wael Ammar, Etisalat Group’s Executive Vice President for Carrier Services, said, “As a leading regional carrier and the fastest growing telecom operator in Middle East, Africa, and Asia, Etisalat Group is focused on bringing the best connectivity and quality to our customerswherever they may be. This agreement with PCCW Global is a continuation to our efforts to strengthen our offering through the right partnership model which complements both our offerings in various regions especially where we have small and medium sized operations and helps ensure that our customers benefit from global connectivity and experience the best services that they have come to expect from us.”

He added, “Having this group framework agreement will realize synergies among the various Etisalat operations across 15 countries and open the door for further collaboration between Etisalat Group and our selected partners to explore and collaborate on further innovations in our industry.”

PCCW Global owns one of the world’s largest private IP backbones and is ranked among the top-10 ISPs globally. Service providers are already able to connect to PCCW Global’s IPX capability in 130 countries and more than 3,000 cities.