UAE's Etisalat Group has signed a group framework agreement for voice interconnection with PCCW Global, the international operating division of Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider.

A leading telecom operator with operations in 19 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa, Etisalat said the voice interconnection will access PCCW Global’s international IPX network capability which 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.

Under the deal, Etisalat Group operations will 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, said the Emirati group in its statement.

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

Emmanuel Bain, PCCW Global’s VP for Voice Services in Middle East 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," stated Bain.

"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 long distance links to access IPX platforms," he added.

Etisalat Group’s executive VP (carrier services) Wael Ammar, 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 customers wherever they may be."

"This agreement is a continuation of 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," explained Ammar.

"Having this group framework agreement will realize synergies among the various Etisalat operations across 19 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," he added.

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.-TradeArabia News Service