Networking

AddOn Networks to showcase new transceivers

Businesses within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and beyond will gain the bandwidth required to support the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) developments, as AddOn Networks brings its new 400G and 800G transceivers to Ai Everything 2025. Exhibiting at the event – which takes place in Dubai on 5-6 February – AddOn Networks will be demonstrating products and innovations capable of reducing the demands on existing infrastructure within the region to help businesses handle the surge in demand for AI. “The Middle East has rapidly emerged as a significant global hub for data centres, with AI at the forefront of this evolution,” says AddOn Networks Vice President of Sales, EMEA and India, Sam Walker. “As nations continue to make significant investments regarding data centre infrastructure, AddOn Networks can offer solutions designed to support the AI revolution at a fraction of the price of larger Network Equipment Manufacturers (NEMs).” The UAE continues to diversify its economy away from oil, with significant investments from companies involved in AI technologies made in recent years. Despite this, demand for AI services now outpaces supply; an issue set to worsen as businesses turn towards hyperscale operations that require immense storage frameworks and processing power. Elsewhere, in Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’, which is the Kingdom’s $100 billion (USD) AI initiative, 66 of the 96 goals outlined by the country relate in some form to data storage and AI. As these Kingdoms attempt to expand their offerings in non-oil sectors and industries, AddOn Networks has launched the new 800G OSFP 2XFR4 transceiver to simplify massive-scale data centre deployments. The 800G OSFP 2XFR4 offers an extended reach of up to 2 kilometres, and integrates ubiquitous duplex LC connectors to reduce both lead times and the complexity of the structured cabling used in data centres. AddOn Networks will also exhibit its full line of AI transceivers, including its OSFP 2xSR4 and OSFP 2xDR4 transceivers - the first third-party 800G optics specifically designed to meet the needs of AI-enhanced networks. Alongside these cutting-edge 800G solutions, AI Everything will also feature the 400G QSFP112 SR4 and 400G QSFP112 DR4 transceivers, which deliver high-performance connectivity critical for GPU server applications. All transceivers provided by AddOn Networks are compatible - and can be seamlessly integrated with - all major NEM platforms used in the region, including Nvidia, Arista, and Juniper. “The global competition to be first to market for AI-fuelled services is intense,” Sam continues. “Data centre operators require greater choice, but without compromise, to ensure their AI deployments go to market on-time and on-budget. AddOn Networks transceivers are built on a foundation of quality components and 100% performance, rigorous testing to ensure not only host compatibility, but interoperability between network equipment gear. As a result, we are in the best position to support customers within the region.” AddOn Networks will be at stand H3-G20 during the Ai Everything exhibition. For more from AddOn Networks, click here.

Exclusive interview with Submarine Networks EMEA organisers

Ahead of the upcoming Submarine Networks EMEA 2025 event, taking place on 18-19 February at the Business Design Centre in London, Simon Rowley, Editor of DCNN, speaks with Harry Baldock, Editor of Total Telecom - the event's organiser - about what visitors can expect from this year's two-day show. DCNN: For our readers who may not be familiar with Submarine Networks EMEA, what can you tell them about the event? Harry: Submarine Networks EMEA is the largest annual subsea connectivity event, bringing together the over 1,000 senior leaders from across the industry for two days of networking and vibrant conference sessions. The event takes place at the Business Design Centre in London and attracts attendees from all over the world. Total Telecom has been hosting this event since 2018, during which time it’s gone from strength to strength, becoming a mainstay for the subsea community every year. DCNN: What are some of the biggest trends impacting subsea connectivity at present, and in what ways will these be reflected at the show? Harry: Personally, I think there are three big themes we’re seeing in the submarine cable space right now: security, geopolitics, and the recent boom in AI-powered data centre investment. Increasing security concerns, driven by the unstable global situation, are leading to tighter regulation and therefore more hurdles to be overcome when connecting cables to certain countries. This is leading to costly delays in planning and deployment – in some cases, sections of cable have already been built, but regulatory changes have left their owners unable to activate them. On the other hand, the booming data centre market is presenting many new opportunities for the subsea industry. All of these data centres will need global connectivity and their deployment is triggering a new wave of cable deployment, particularly in previously underserved areas. Other important topics include cable sustainability, maintenance, and recycling; cable deployment and repair ships; SMART cables (built with sensors to capture scientific data); subsea regulation; and training the next generation of professionals in this often-underappreciated industry. DCNN: How many exhibitors will be in attendance at this year's event, and what products or innovations will be showcased? Harry: There will be over 50 exhibitors at the show this year, showing off a wide variety of new projects and technologies. The core of the exhibitors, of course, are those showing cable system-related solutions – from landing station technology to the latest optical technologies. But there are many more players that play a role in a successful subsea cable project – for example, cable builders and operators, data centre operators, cable deployment experts, optical networking solutions providers, public sector officials, and national regulators. All of these will feature representation on the show floor at Submarine Networks EMEA. DCNN: The event will also include a jam-packed conference programme. What's in store for visitors this year, and what are expected to be among the highlights of these sessions? Harry: The telecoms and tech industries have become ever more interwoven in recent years, and this is clearly reflected in our conference agenda, which touches on everything from cable investment strategies to integrating sensing technologies. Our morning keynote sessions are always a major highlight; this year, our Day 1 keynote focuses on the privatisation of the submarine cable industry and the role of the hyperscalers, while Day 2’s will focus on the rapidly expanding data centre environment. On a personal level, as a journalist, I really enjoy the ‘News in Brief’ sessions – 10-minute updates on various cable projects around the world. They are always crammed with information. They also tend to include interesting anecdotes about overcoming challenges along the way, whether its decommissioning sea mines in the North Sea or having engineers canoe around the Norwegian fjords as part of the cable planning process! Lastly, a major goal for the event has always been to shed light on this niche industry as a career path and to help nurture the next generation of subsea professionals. Our Junior Top Dogs networking event, taking place on Day 2, is specifically designed to give students and other newcomers to the industry the opportunity to talk directly with industry veterans. You can check out our full agenda by clicking here. DCNN: Data centres are listed among the nine key themes that Submarine Networks EMEA will tackle. Could you expand on this notion and provide insight as to what visitors can expect with regards to this? Harry: As I’m sure your readers are aware, the data centre industry has been booming, with the hyperscalers pledging to invest billions of dollars in new data centre deployments in the coming years. Those same hyperscalers – like Meta, Google, and Microsoft – are also the key movers and shakers of the submarine cable industry, typically playing a leading role in the consortiums that build the submarine cables. The relationship between submarine cables and data centres is quite fundamental. More data centres being deployed globally will have major implications for the type and capacity of new cable systems deployed, and where these systems will interconnect with terrestrial networks. The Day 2 opening keynote focuses on this topic in detail, asking how the AI-driven data centre surge is impacting the subsea sector and what the two industries can learn from each other. DCNN: What are some of the biggest challenges in the subsea connectivity sector in 2025? Harry: As mentioned, cable security is a big challenge. We’ve seen lots of cable damage in key geopolitical hotspots in recent years – particularly the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the waters around Taiwan – and, while accidental damage to cables happens every year, deliberate sabotage is suspected in a number of cases. Physically monitoring and defending such massive cables is a technical challenge of huge scope and financial cost, but one that the industry is under increasing pressure to solve. These security fears are, in turn, leaching into the regulatory landscape, which is at risk of becoming more intrusive and potentially obstructive to subsea projects. This is particularly the case in the US, where the Federal Communications Commission is currently reworking its submarine cable regulations for the first time since 2001! Just this month we have seen the UK government take steps in a similar direction, launching a subsea cable security enquiry this year and seeking to identify emerging threats in this space. As a result, submarine cable projects are likely to be more closely regulated, causing delays and additional expenses. In some cases, cable systems could be forced to circumvent some countries or bodies of water entirely. But the geopolitical uncertainty of the modern world is not all doom and gloom for the submarine cable industry. With national governments growing increasingly picky around how their international data is transported, opportunities to build new cables to meet these needs are beginning to arise. Greater submarine cable diversity means more choice for customers and reduces reliance on individual cables. DCNN: Is AI having a big impact on this sector, and if so, will this be a big theme throughout the event? Harry: I would describe AI’s effect on the sector as indirect but significant. As mentioned, AI is spurring a major investment in specialised data centres and seeing global data usage estimates increase massively. The submarine cable industry will have to adapt to this changing environment, though modern cables should be able to handle the predicted increase in data transport. Perhaps more interesting, the cable owners themselves are making increasing use of AI when planning and operating these systems, particularly regarding automation. This can deliver some huge cost-savings, enhance network monitoring, and support predictive maintenance. DCNN: What are the show's organisers most excited about heading into this year's exhibition? Harry: We’re thrilled to once again be at the heart of such a vibrant industry! We’re very lucky that the submarine cable industry is extremely collaborative by nature, and so great conversations are never far away. We’re looking forward to providing a forum for these discussions and helping the community tackle some of the biggest challenges in the sector today. DCNN: Is there anything else you'd like DCNN readers to know about? Harry: There is an oft-quoted figure in the industry that submarine cables carry over 95% of global internet traffic, but the vast majority of people do not even realise they exist. So, my message to readers would be: don’t forget about the submarine cable industry! It’s a huge, unseen part of our global digital fabric and becomes more diverse and broader in scope every year. Whether you’re dipping your toes into the submarine cable industry for the first time or you’re an industry veteran looking for a deep dive, Submarine Networks EMEA will put you at the heart of the industry. Submarine Networks EMEA will be taking place on 18–19 February at the Business Design Centre in London. If you’d like more information or want to get involved in Submarine Networks EMEA, please contact the event's Project Director, Laura O’Reilly, at laura.oreilly@totaltele.com.

LINX IXP in Jeddah completes capacity upgrades

The London Internet Exchange (LINX) has completed its 100G capacity upgrade project in Jeddah, following an increase in customers and port demands at the interconnection hub in KSA. LINX has been powering Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) for Center3, its strategic partner in Saudi Arabia, since 2018. Jeddah was the first port of call for this deployment and since then, LINX peering services have gone live in Riyadh and teams are preparing to deploy in Dammam this year. Jeddah is one of the main landing stations for subsea cables in the Middle East, distributing global content locally and providing convenient onward connectivity to Asia, Europe and Africa. The IXP in Jeddah creates a neutral and central meeting point in the MG1 (MENA Gateway) data centre for carriers, cloud, content providers, enterprise networks and more to peer their network traffic locally and improve end user online performance. The IXP also offers lower latency, increased control and resilience, and increased security and redundancy. Halil Kama, Regional Director for LINX in the Middle East, comments, “We are pleased to be upgrading our internet exchange capacity with an additional 16x 100G port capability due to customer demand in Jeddah. This enhancement further strengthens Jeddah’s role as a digital gateway, ensuring faster, more efficient connections for networks and users across the region.” With regular traffic peaks over 650Gbps, networks connected into the IXP in Jeddah need to ensure their ports have the capacity to cope with the spikes in online traffic often generated by sporting events or gaming upgrades. There were 36.84 million internet users in Saudi Arabia in January 2024, with an impressive internet penetration rate of 99% of the total population at the start of 2024. Additionally, Kepios analysis indicates that internet users in Saudi Arabia increased by 527,000 (1.4%) between January 2023 and January 2024. The rapid evolution of the digital scene in Saudi Arabia is fuelled by its Vision 2030 strategy. The growth in sports and event tourism has generated a greater need for lower latency streaming solutions, and with talks that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) could acquire a minority stake in sports streaming service, DAZN, this demand is set to continue to increase. AWS has also just announced Jeddah as a new CloudFront Edge location and plans to invest more than $5.3 billion (£4.3bn) in the long term to develop Saudi Arabi as an AWS cloud region. With an increase in partnerships, investments and services comes a further demand for capacity and continued and reliable low latency interconnection solutions. For more from The London Internet Exchange, click here.

Broadband Forum tests interoperability of fibre technologies

Device vendors recently advanced the adoption of high-speed fibre connectivity technologies at a Broadband Forum 'Plugfest' event hosted by CableLabs in Louisville, Colorado. Plugfest brought together leading companies from the fibre sector to test the readiness of their XGS-PON and 25GS-PON technologies and ensure the interoperability of fibre products connecting homes to broadband service providers’ core networks. “Plugfests are a vital tool that help device vendors overcome compatibility worries,” says Craig Thomas, Broadband Forum's CEO. “The goal of this and future Plugfests is to ensure that all broadband service providers are ready for the next generation of fibre connectivity, regardless of whether they are deploying GPON, XGS-PON, 25GS-PON, 50G-PON technologies or those beyond.” Participating companies included Askey Technology, AVM, Calix, CIG, Comtrend, Cortina Access, Evolution Digital, Gemtek Technology, Harmonic, Hitron Technologies, MT2, Nokia, Sagemcom Broadband SAS, Sercomm, TraceSpan Communications, and Vantiva. These organisations tested the interoperability of their systems to ensure fibre equipment can deliver the high-quality connectivity experience consumers expect. Leveraging the results of their tests, vendors are well positioned to enhance the interoperability of their products, driving greater industry collaboration and innovation. Additionally, feedback from participating vendors was instrumental in refining Broadband Forum’s test plans, ensuring continued improvement and success at future testing events. Test case categories included 25GS-PON TC-PM and XGS-PON OMCI, guided by Broadband Forum’s TR-309 Issue 3: PON TC Layer Interoperability Test Plan and TR-255 Issue 2: G-PON & XG-PON & XGS-PON Interoperability Test Plan documents. “The industry recognises the importance of ensuring interoperability between fibre network equipment and the recent event yielded encouraging results,” comments CableLabs Vice President of Wired Technologies, Curtis Knittle. “Our labs are ideal for hosting Plugfests because we provide state-of-the-art testing equipment and expertise, which enables collaboration and interoperability testing in a secure, neutral environment.” The next PON Plugfest, scheduled for 24-28 February 2025, will be hosted by AT&T Labs and LANPARK at the AT&T Broadband Labs in Plano, Texas. It will focus on 25GS-PON and 50G-PON (HSP) test case categories. Another event is planned for summer 2025 at LANPARK’s test laboratory. Registration for the February PON Plugfest is now open. For more information or to register, click here. For more from Broadband Forum, click here.

New 5G network to spark innovation at German University

A new 5G network backbone for more advanced research initiatives and immersive learning platforms has been deployed at Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences (TH Rosenheim) in Germany, thanks to a collaboration between Slovenia’s Kontron and Mugler SE. Slovenia’s Kontron’s 5G Mobile Private Network (MPN), integrated by network systems integrator and telecommunications solutions supplier, Mugler SE, will provide greater speeds, low latency, and increased capacity for more than 7,500 students at the university’s proto_lab research facility. “At Kontron, we are proud to be part of a project that not only advances cutting-edge research, but also creates invaluable learning opportunities for the next generation of innovators,” says Janez Öri, Slovenia’s Kontron Executive Director of Communications Solutions. “The deployment of our 5G MPN underscores our commitment to empowering industries and academic institutions with reliable, high-performance connectivity solutions that drive transformation and progress. “The collaboration with TH Rosenheim and Mugler SE serves as a blueprint for the future, demonstrating how academia and industry can work together to empower education through technology.” The network will enable a seamless integration of AI algorithms and real-time applications at network edge and in the cloud. This aligns with the core aim of proto_lab's ground-breaking research projects under the guidance of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Noah Klarmann, Research Professor in AI for Technical Systems and Co-Director of proto_lab. It will also equip students with the skills to innovate in the increasingly digitalised world. “A reliable network can offer improved mobility and flexibility to cater for people and assets on the move in ever-changing production and logistics environments,” comments TH Rosenheim proto_lab Initiator, Co-Founder, and Director of the Research and Development Platform Prof. Dr.-Ing. Oliver Kramer. “Individualisation caters for customers increasingly asking for personalised technology solutions to meet their unique needs and is providing them with a critical competitive edge over their rivals. Our 5G campus network also provides the perfect foundation for the implementation and further development of our R&D projects in the proto_lab.” With Slovenia’s Kontron’s 5G MPN, industries and enterprises can improve their operations, thanks to enhanced automation, security, and indoor and outdoor connectivity. The network supports various use cases, including asset tracking, automated robots and AVGs, flexible workspaces, real-time process automation and voice and video communications. “The network deployment is the starting point for our comprehensive four-year partnership, during which time, various industry-relevant use cases will be tested,” adds Mugler SE Director Local Networks, Dr. Markus Dod. “At Mugler SE, we focus on providing reliable and forward-looking telecommunications solutions. This partnership with Kontron and TH Rosenheim highlights how 5G technology, combined with practical integration expertise, can drive meaningful progress. Our aim is to demonstrate how customised 5G networks can effectively support both industry and academia in advancing connectivity and automation.” For more from Kontron, click here.

Siemon releases 2024 ESG Report

Siemon, a network infrastructure specialist, has announced the release of its 2024 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. This latest report highlights the company's commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and robust governance principles, and outlines the ways it is advancing ESG initiatives within the information communication technology industry. John Siemon, Chief Technology Officer, states, “Our 2024 ESG Report underscores Siemon’s commitment to driving meaningful change across all aspects of our business. Achieving the EcoVadis Gold Rating, investing in state-of-the-art tools for ESG reporting, and being recognised as a Great Place to Work for the second consecutive year reflect the strides we have made. At Siemon, sustainability and ethical business practices are embedded in our DNA. Together with our employees and partners, we are charting a course toward a more sustainable and equitable future.” The 2024 ESG Report outlines several key accomplishments over the past year, including: • 2023 Gold EcoVadis Rating: Siemon’s commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices has been recognised with a gold rating from EcoVadis, placing Siemon in the top 5% of companies globally for its ESG commitment.• Investing in advanced tools like 3E Exchange, Greenly and One Click to enhance reporting accuracy, transparency, and decision-making.• Recognition as a Great Place to Work for the second year in a row, reflecting the workplace culture at Siemon. Building on these achievements, Siemon has continued its focus on reducing environmental impact through innovative product design and sustainable packaging. The report details Siemon’s ongoing alignment with global initiatives, including adherence to the Responsible Business Alliance Code of Conduct, membership in the United Nations Global Compact, and progress toward the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) commitment to net zero. John Siemon concludes, “As we celebrate these accomplishments, we recognise the importance of staying at the forefront of ESG innovation. This report reflects directly on the level of engagement and commitment from every Siemon employee and supplier to our values and code of conduct. It is through this engagement that we minimise adverse environmental impacts and foster personal and social wellness within our organisation, industries, and communities.” To view Siemon’s 2024 ESG Report and learn more about the company’s initiatives, click here. For more from Siemon, click here.

Tellus delivers key component for collaborative data economy

It has been revealed that the Gaia-X development project, Tellus, has successfully completed its implementation phase. Led by the Internet Exchange operator, DE-CIX, the consortium has developed a prototype interconnection infrastructure that provides fully automatic and virtual access to networks for sensitive, real-time applications across distributed cloud environments. Tellus covers the entire supply chain of interconnection services and integrates offerings from various providers based on the decentralised and distributed data infrastructure of Gaia-X. This makes Tellus a key component for the comprehensive connectivity required by intelligent business models in a collaborative data economy. Delivering networks and services according to application demands In the past, implementing business-critical applications in distributed IT systems required purchasing all necessary components, services, and functions separately from different providers and manually combining them in a time-consuming and costly process - without end-to-end guarantees. Tellus’ open-source software not only automates these processes but also ensures specific connectivity requirements. During the final phase, the project team implemented a controller and service registry which function as central elements of a super-node architecture. The controller coordinates and provisions service offers and orders via application programming interfaces (APIs). The service registry stores and lists all services that the controller can search through, address, and combine. The search process runs via the controller into the registry and the associated graph database, which then delivers suitable solutions. Finally, the controller commissions the interconnection infrastructure to provision network and cloud services to meet the requirements of the respective application, including guaranteed performance and Gaia-X compliance. Deployable prototype: Reliable and dynamic connectivity for data exchange In the implemented proof of concept (PoC) demo, virtual networks and services can be provided via a user-friendly interface to meet the requirements of industrial applications; for example, transmitting hand movements to a robot in real time via a smart glove. The same applies to delivering connectivity for a digital twin from IONOS in a manner required by production plants, to simulate, monitor in real-time, and optimise manufacturing steps. Equally, TRUMPF’s fully automatic laser cutting tools, where reliable and dynamic networks keep systems available and pay-per-part business models productive. Milestone for a secure, sovereign, and collaborative data economy “Since Tellus registers the products of all participants in a standardised way and stores the network nodes in a structured manner in a graph database, interconnection services can be composed end-to-end via a weighted path search,” says Christoph Dietzel, Head of Product & Research at DE-CIX. “With the successful completion of the implementation phase and the proof-of-concept demo, we have not only demonstrated the technical feasibility of our Gaia-X compliant interconnection infrastructure, but have also set an important milestone for the future of secure, sovereign, and collaborative data processing.” For more from DE-CIX, click here.

Telxius enhances ultra-scalable global carrier ethernet service

Telxius, a global connectivity provider, has upgraded its Global Carrier Ethernet (GCE) service with flexible bandwidth options for businesses in the Americas and Europe. The service enables enterprises and service providers to maximise their investments with more bandwidth flexibility when connecting to key global hubs and cloud service providers. Telxius’ GCE service is supported by its global network spanning over 100,000km of submarine cables and terrestrial backhauls throughout the US, Latin America, and Europe, and is powered by Ciena’s advanced optical pluggables, instead of traditional transponders. It is a highly scalable and flexible service with bandwidth options ranging from 50Mbps to 100Gbps+, designed to meet the needs of demanding markets with ultra-low latency, high availability, and reliability. “At Telxius, we are constantly evolving our network with new and enhanced systems to better support our customers and accelerate digital transformation,” says Mónica Martínez, CMO at Telxius. “We offer enterprises and service providers with the flexible, seamless connectivity options they need to thrive in today’s bandwidth-hungry digital landscape, where user experiences have never been so important.” The solution is MEF 3.0 certified, supported by 14 high-capacity subsea cables: Firmina, Tikal (in progress), Mistral, Tannat, Junior, Dunant, Brusa, Marea, PCCS, SAm-1, EllaLink, Unisur, Est-Tet and Alpal-2, and provides connectivity to multiple points of presence (PoPs) globally. “Telxius continues to take strategic steps to promote the universal need for connectivity in its simplest form,” notes Fernando Capella, Regional Director of CALA South at Ciena. “With Ciena’s advanced optical technology, Telxius has the ability to reach beyond 100Gbps circuits across its existing submarine network, supporting the ever-increasing demands of global enterprises and service providers with ultra-low latency.” Telxius’ global network includes high-capacity fibre-optic submarine cables and terrestrial backhauls together spanning more than 100,000km, almost 100 PoPs in 17 countries, plus 27 data centres. On top of its Ethernet services, Telxius provides a wide range of additional capacity, IP, colocation, and security services for businesses to optimise their connectivity across the globe. For more from Telxius, click here.

Submarine Networks EMEA 2025 to take place in London

This year's Submarine Networks EMEA event is to take place on 18-19 February 2025 at the Business Design Centre in London. Submarine Networks EMEA is a must-attend event for network innovators, operators, and enterprises across the region. This two-day conference and exhibition will dive into the latest advancements in data centres, network architecture, cloud networking, automation, and the future of connectivity for businesses and communities alike. Why Attend? • Gain insights from 120+ global industry leaders through keynotes, panel discussions, and technical workshops• Discover the latest innovations in the exhibition hall• Network with over 1,000 senior decision-makers in networking, cloud, and IT infrastructure• Discuss strategies to drive efficiency, scalability, and security in next-generation networks You can register now by clicking here. For an exclusive 15% discount on your ticket, use the code: DCNN15. For more information, click here.

e& and DE-CIX partner to create SmartHub Internet Exchange

e& Carrier & Wholesale, a leading carrier which operates multiple geo-redundant SmartHub data centres across the Middle East - providing cutting-edge SmartHub IX services within these state-of-the-art facilities - has partnered with DE-CIX, a provider of premium interconnection services and an operator of carrier and data centre-neutral Internet Exchanges (IX). DE-CIX’s global presence spans nearly 60 locations across Europe, the Middle East, North and South America, Asia, and Africa. This collaboration will enhance the Middle East’s IX ecosystem, driving the digital economy forward by expanding SmartHub IX’s reach through direct connections to DE-CIX’s global network and international Internet Exchanges. Nabil Baccouche, Group Chief Carrier & Wholesale Officer, e&, says, “We are thrilled to partner with DE-CIX to boost the operations of SmartHub IX; this ground-breaking advancement will significantly enhance the digital landscape in the UAE and the wider region. This strategic collaboration aligns perfectly with our vision of building a dynamic and interconnected digital infrastructure. 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.” SmartHub IX has introduced a remote peering service in collaboration with multiple Internet Exchanges in the region and is working to scale it to a global level, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of network operations for businesses and service providers. This service promises to deliver substantial cost savings, expand network reach, provide scalability, improve performance, and offer greater flexibility. e&'s Remote Peering Service positions SmartHub IX as a strategic gateway to global markets, providing customers with seamless cross-border connectivity and enhanced data exchange. Ivo Ivanov, Chief Executive Officer, DE-CIX (pictured above), adds, “We are honoured to have been chosen by our valued partner, e&, to drive SmartHub IX powered by DE-CIX forward. This is an exciting day for digital infrastructure in the UAE. 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, taking the Middle East to the next level.” 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. SmartHub IX offers a world-class infrastructure and environment to customers seeking to interconnect with local, regional and international networks ensuring exceptional performance and reliability. For more from DE-CIX, click here.