du and reliance globalcom sign strategic agreement
To Offer Global Ethernet, Managed Services in the UAE
To jointly offer Value Added Services for Financial Sector
Bi-Lateral Benefits to Telecom Users in the UAE
Reliance Globalcom network to seamless connect the UAE
du, the new telecommunications services provider in the UAE today announced the signing of a bi-lateral agreement to seamlessly interconnect with Reliance Globalcom, to offer a variety of data services in the UAE. Reliance Globalcom, a division of Reliance Communications, spearheads the Global Telecom operations of India’s largest Integrated Telecom Service Provider.
“We are pleased to expand our services by connecting UAE on Reliance Globalcom network, via a strong regional partner such as du. Our relationship with du is part of a strategy to collaborate with quality service providers and leverage each other’s strengths to extend network capability and reach in the region for serving the fast growing needs to our customers”, said Punit Garg, President, Reliance Globalcom
Besides offering bandwidth, strengthening the capacity and resilience of the networks, the strategic agreement will enable du and Reliance Globalcom to jointly offer a comprehensive range of value-added data services from the virtual PoP (Point of Presence), which relays calls via third party circuit to the Internet provider's central location). Fast emerging services like Global Ethernet, Managed Services, IP VPN and MPLS etc would also be offered under the agreement.
du’s Chief Executive Officer Osman Sultan affirmed, “The strategic agreement will create tremendous synergies for all concerned. It marks a significant step for us towards our journey to become the regional hub as part of our international strategy.”
Andrew Grenville, Executive Vice President, International and Wholesale, du, added, “du customers will benefit from direct access to the Reliance Globalcom worldwide network. We are certain it will improve the diversity and resilience of our network while opening up new avenues for rich and innovative content for du business customers.
We look forward to a meaningful relationship with Reliance Globalcom to offer the best in seamless connectivity and data services to customers.”
Interconnections made possible via partnerships with regional and international carriers enable Reliance Globalcom and du to provide innovative, feature-rich and customized solutions for the international business community.
atheeb/batelco consortium wins final approval to roll out services to saudi arabian market
Batelco, as part of the Atheeb consortium has won final approval to deliver voice, data and internet services in the Saudi market, according to Batelco Chairman Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa.
The Atheeb/Batelco consortium provisionally won a WiMax licence in 2007 and a number of Batelco staff tasked with implementing the new products and services have been based in Saudi Arabia since Q3 2007 to prepare for the launch of services.
“The announcement by the Saudi Cabinet means that Batelco can now roll out wireless broadband, data solutions and voice services nationwide to the Saudi market and extend its reach and expertise to the residents of the Kingdom,” said the Batelco Chairman.
“This has been eagerly awaited news,” stated Batelco Chief Executive Peter Kaliaropoulos.
“We have a strong team in place and we are in the final stages of preparation to roll out services to the Saudi market. Our partners, Atheeb and Al Nahla have very strong knowledge of the market place and we are delighted with the strong relationship we have developed.”
As part of the approval by the Saudi Cabinet, the Atheeb/Batelco consortium will sell 25% of their shares in initial public offerings (IPO’s), 10% to a state pension fund and 5% to a social insurance body.
Saudi Arabia, the largest Arab economy, had given initial approval to the Batelco/ Atheeb consortium and two other groups in April last year, after short-listing them from 10 applicants for licences to end the monopoly of state-controlled Saudi Telecom Company (STC).
“The consortium of Batelco and Saudi Arabia's Atheeb group plans to invest $1 billion in its telecommunications and ICT operation in the first five years of business, “added Mr. Kaliaropoulos.
