Etisalat said it has partnered with Global Crossing, a leading global IP solutions provider, to offer seamless connectivity alternatives to customers keen to expand their connectivity to the US, Canada and Latin America from the UAE.

As part of this alliance, Etisalat has set up its own node in New Yorkwith last mile connectivity provided by Global Crossing to offer global connectivity solutions through a secure and fully owned IP/MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) network.This is part of Etisalat’s long term strategy of enhancing global connectivity options for its corporate customers, said a top official.

“This partnership with Global Crossing is significant in terms of expanding the connectivity alternatives for our customers across the US, Canada and Latin America,� said Abdulla Hashim, senior vice president, Business Solutions, Etisalat. “This will enable us to leverage their local presence and the capabilities of their integrated IP-based network to support our customers. Moreover, the presence of our own nodes is a major differentiator for customers across this region that now can rely on us for world class connectivity solutions with advantages like reliable quality of service and network management capabilities.�

“We’re very pleased to join Etisalat in offering our Extended Reach Solutions, comprising the Global Crossing Fast-Track Services portfolio,� said Habib Issa, Global Crossing’s head of Carrier Sales for South Europe, Middle East and Africa.

“As Etisalat’s business clients take advantage of globalization and IP convergence market trends, they can benefit from Etisalat’s support model, strong regional presence and the global seamless network enabled by Global Crossing’s IP infrastructure,� he noted.

With the setting up of these new nodes, Etisalat will offer secure IP/MPLS links to carry data traffic on its own network. This also will translate into pricing advantages which will be passed on to customers since Etisalat will manage its own network from end-to-end in a seamless manner.With this Etisalat joins a select list of top-tier service providers offering Global Crossing Fast-Track Services portfolio to their enterprise end users, Hashim stated.

Global Crossing Fast-Track Services combine the business processes, products, services and system tools necessary for service providers to quickly offer their enterprise customers end-to-end global data solutions, backed by consistent SLAs.In addition to Converged IP Services and Private Line, Fast-Track Services include Ethernet, Collaboration and Managed Services.