UAE's Etisalat has announced that Kenya’s largest telecommunications operator Safaricom will be joining its SmartHub network to expand its East African internet connectivity.
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Safaricom will use the East Africa Marine System (TEAMS), a 5,000-km fibre-optic undersea cable linking Kenya's Mombasa with Etisalat’s SmartHub in Fujairah, which is the capacity and content hub in the UAE.

Ali Amiri, the executive VP, Carrier & Wholesale, Etisalat said this announcement reiterates the importance of the UAE and Etisalat as the hub for East Africa internet connectivity.

"The East African Marine System (TEAM’s) cable is an important part of the SmartHub network, providing high speed connectivity for East Africa," he noted.
 
“We are delighted that Safaricom, is using the integrated capabilities of the Etisalat SmartHub and TEAM. We both believe that the development goals of Africa must be supported by greater internet connectivity and joining ourSmartHub community is a major step forward,” added Ali Amiri.

Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore said the growth of broadband in East Africa was directly related to the recent undersea cable developments.

"We are delighted to be working with Etisalat to enhance our high quality communication services. Kenya is increasingly the hub for regional telecom services for East Africa and linking of our two hubs is a strategic move that will benefit consumers and corporate customer alike," he stated.-TradeArabia News Service