E& Carrier and Wholesale said it has partnered with DE-CIX to expand the reach of E&'s "SmartHub IX" in Fujairah by establishing direct connections to DE-CIX's global network and international Internet Exchanges (IXs). SmartHub IX has introduced a remote peering service in collaboration with multiple IXs in the region and is working to scale it to a global level. E&'s Remote Peering Service positions SmartHub IX as a gateway to global markets, offering customers with cross-border connectivity and enhanced data exchange.
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Remote Peering Service
"This service promises to deliver substantial cost savings, expand network reach, provide scalability, improve performance, and offer greater flexibility," the companies said in a joint announcement on January 21, 2025.
Nabil Baccouche, Group Chief Carrier and Wholesale Officer, E&, said: "By leveraging DE-CIX's global expertise and extensive network, we continue to deliver exceptional value to our customers and foster innovation across various industries. With low-latency connectivity, SmartHub IX will ensure that information is transmitted and processed with minimal delay, enabling a more agile and efficient digital ecosystem."
UAE as a Regional Interconnection Hub
Ivo Ivanov, Chief Executive Officer of DE-CIX, added: "Our common goal is not only to provide the digital economy in the Gulf region with the infrastructure it needs to forge closer local, regional, and international ties, but also to strengthen the entire Middle Eastern interconnection ecosystem. In addition, direct connectivity between SmartHub IX powered by DE-CIX and DE-CIX’s IXs in India unites two highly valuable markets and connects the UAE even more strongly with global interconnection ecosystems. Together with UAE-IX, also powered by DE-CIX, the Middle East will benefit from the best IX ecosystem in the area. This agreement positions the UAE as the hotspot of interconnection for the entire region."
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
SmartHub IX in Fujairah hosts the largest submarine cable landing station in the region, interconnecting global customers, content providers, and Internet service providers. The new locations in Dubai will keep the IX business on a steady growth trajectory, according to the official release.
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E& Carrier and Wholesale operates multiple geo-redundant SmartHub data centers across the Middle East, providing SmartHub IX services through these facilities. DE-CIX, an interconnection service provider and operator of carrier and data center-neutral Internet Exchanges (IX), has a presence in nearly 50 locations across Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, Asia, and Africa.
