New agile network is foundational for du's rapid transformation
into a digital ICT service provider; Supports plans for
next-generation applications and services for the 5G era
BARCELONA, Spain, March 01, 2018
(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mobile World
Congress - UAE-based telco 'du,' from Emirates
Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), and Cisco announced a
collaboration to build a future-proof network that is designed to
support du's rapid transformation into a digital service provider.
The announcement was made to coincide with Mobile World Congress
2018, being held 26 February to 1 March this year.
Demand for more bandwidth is
rising exponentially as consumers and businesses embrace new
digital applications, services and technologies. In order to meet
this demand, du is replacing its existing IP core network with a
scalable and 5G-ready infrastructure that will reduce network
complexity and enable it to become a more agile and flexible market
player.
du selected Cisco IP core network
to modernize, expand and complete a seamless migration to
virtualised and native cloud architecture. The network
modernization will increase the capacity of the core network to 24
terabytes per node, making du's network ready for ultra-broadband
services. This enables du to offer next-generation digital services
pertaining to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (AR), in
addition to other new applications and services made possible by
5G.
Saleem Al Blooshi, EITC's Chief
Infrastructure Officer, said: "du is already supporting the
realisation of the UAE's Vision 2021 by empowering the digital
economy and driving Dubai's transformation into a smart city. 5G is
going to play an important role in that. 5G is a phased approach
and we will continue with trials until we officially launch it.
With the deployment of a more scalable and agile network, we will
be well-placed to support 5G, smart city services, the IoT and
other new, innovative digital services."
As both consumer and commercial 5G
use cases gain traction, demand for mobile and ultra-fast broadband
services continues to accelerate in the UAE. The expanded capacity
of du's network will help stimulate local innovation, particularly
around the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), smart city
and IoT technologies, while supporting the country's vision for a
data-driven future.
Ali Amer, Cisco's Managing
Director of Global Service Provider for Middle East and Africa,
added: "By working with Cisco, du's 5G-ready network will deliver a
more virtual and far more scalable infrastructure that forms the
foundation for future solutions and new business
opportunities."
About du:
du is a vibrant and multiple award-winning telecommunications
service provider serving 9 million individual customers with its
mobile, fixedline, broadband internet, and Home services over its
4G LTE network. du also caters to over 100,000 UAE businesses with
its vast range of ICT and managed services. Since its launch in
2007, du has many UAE firsts to its credit, including introduction
of Pay by the Second® billing system, IPTV and self-service
portal.
du is ideally placed to support the realisation of
UAE Vision 2021 and transformation of Dubai into a Smart City. du
is also the official strategic partner of the Smart Dubai Office
and the platform provider for Smart Dubai. Following the successful
testing of the Middle East's first Internet of Things (IoT)
network, du is on course to complete deployment of its IoT network
in 2016.
Brand Finance ranked du as the 12th most valuable
brand in the Middle East in 2016. du previously won the coveted
Brand of the year title by Superbrands Middle East in 2013. The
company has been recognised with several other awards such as ISO
27001 certification of Managed Security Services and having the
distinction of opening UAE's first LEED Platinum Certified Green
Shop. du also has the unique distinction of the first telecom in
the world to release Sustainability Report based on GRI-G4
guidelines in 2014. du is also credited with du's world-class
teleport is the largest of its kind in the Middle East and ranked
among the top teleports in the world by World teleport
Association.
du is 39.5 percent owned by Emirates Investment
Authority, 19.75 percent by Mubadala Development Company PJSC, 19.5
percent by Emirates Communications and Technology LLC and the
remaining by public shareholders. Listed on the Dubai Financial
Market (DFM), the company trades under the name 'du'.
About
Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that has
been making the Internet work since 1984. Our people, products, and
partners help society securely connect and seize tomorrow's digital
opportunity today. Discover more at thenetwork.cisco.com and follow
us on Twitter at @Cisco.
Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S.
and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found
at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned
are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word
partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and
any other company.
RSS Feed for
Cisco: http://newsroom.cisco.com/rss-feeds
Cisco PR
contact: Sherif Shafie, shshafie@cisco.com