e& and DE-CIX have announced a partnership to create SmartHub IX, a new internet exchange in the Middle East. The collaboration aims to enhance regional datacenter connectivity and boost the digital infrastructure in the region. SmartHub IX will have multiple geo-redundant datacenters in Fujairah and Dubai.
DE-CIX, a leading internet exchange operator with a presence in over 40 metro markets worldwide, will use its expertise to expand the reach of SmartHub IX. The partnership seeks to drive the digital economy forward by enabling direct connections to network and international internet exchanges. SmartHub IX is introducing a remote peering service in collaboration with several regional internet exchanges.
This service is expected to bring cost savings, expand network reach, provide scalability, improve performance, and offer greater flexibility to businesses and service providers.
SmartHub IX enhances Middle East connectivity
Fujairah will host the largest submarine cable landing station in the region, interconnecting global customers, content providers, and internet service providers.
Nabil Baccouche, e&’s group chief carrier and wholesale officer, said, “This groundbreaking advancement will significantly enhance the digital landscape in the UAE and the wider region. Our strategic collaboration with DE-CIX aligns perfectly with our vision of building a dynamic and interconnected digital infrastructure.”
DE-CIX CEO Ivo Ivanov stated, “Our common goal is to provide the digital economy in the Gulf region with the infrastructure it needs to forge closer local, regional, and international ties. This agreement positions the UAE as the hotspot of interconnection for the entire region, taking the Middle East to the next level.”
SmartHub IX aims to ensure low-latency connectivity, allowing information to be transmitted and processed with minimal delay.
This will foster a more agile and efficient digital ecosystem. E& believes the remote peering service will position SmartHub IX as a strategic gateway to global markets, providing customers with seamless cross-border connectivity and enhanced data exchange. The partnership between e& and DE-CIX represents a significant step towards advancing digital infrastructure in the Middle East, promoting innovation, and fostering closer ties within the global interconnection ecosystem.
