Etisalat Smarthub, the region’s largest capacity, content, internet and data hub, has sealed a major agreement with Aicent, one of the world’s largest multi-service IPX provider of data network services, to offer a seamless LTE roaming experience.

Smarthub includes the Middle East’s first IPX for mobile operators and includes the region’s largest portfolio of internet content.

It connects their leading global multi-service IPXs allowing subscribers to roam seamlessly between international operator networks whileenjoying high quality voice and mobile data services.

According to Etisalat, the partnership will enable the company and Aicent to access a larger number of global mobile operators. The agreement also allows operators to quickly launch next generation services via a single connection to Aicent and Etisalat’s community of mobile networks across global markets.
 
Ali Amiri, the executive VP (Carrier & Wholesale) of Etisalat said: "We are pleased to be entering an agreement with Aicent that will benefit both companies with combined multiservice IPX offerings enhancing our respective customers mobile roaming experience.
EtisalatSmartHub IPX is a strategic addition to the EtisalatSmartHub portfolio enhancing our role as a global communication hub."

The operators joining the SmartHub IPX will have access to the Aicent community and vice versa, providing a single point of interconnect, he added.

With the global and rapid adoption of LTE networks throughout the world, the market is witnessing a sharp increase in the development of mobile devices supporting all-IP services.

Shu Gan, the executive VP (Strategic Business Development and Global Sales) Aicent said: “The continued growth of application based mobile services has also increased the demand for IPX interconnections as more and more network operators recognize its importance as an efficient multiservice platform to deliver high quality voice and mobile data services."

"As one of the largest mobile service provider in the Middle East, this agreement with Etisalat will allow Aicent to reach a growing base of mobile subscribers," he noted.

Aicent’s market leading IPX allows network operators and service providers to offer their customers IP-based voice, data and video services on 3G and 4G networks traversing multiple operators in a highly controlled, secure and profitable manner, all with guaranteed QoS.-TradeArabia News Service