du has invested over $65 million in the project rolled out from Abu Dhabi to du's submarine cable landing station in Fujairah

Project is based on an Infrastructure Backbone using the latest in Fibre Optics

Dubai, UAE, 24 July 2011: Reaching yet another milestone on its network infrastructure front, du has announced the completion of the first phase of its Optical Transport Network (OTN) expansion along with its own Backbone Infrastructure. With this, du is among the first few telecom service providers in the Middle East to establish OTN on a national scale across the country; converging all its services. The landmark venture is set to extend all the way from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and the northern emirates, ultimately reaching du's submarine cable landing station in Fujairah. du has invested over $65 million in this project, which has already reached an advanced stage and will be completed by  mid-2012 to include Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Qwain.

Hatem Bamatraf, Senior Vice President , Network Development, du, expressed pride on this milestone and said: "Optical Transport Network along with our own Backbone Infrastructure using the latest in Fibre Optic Cables will enhance the capacity of the backbone and to the end users, and also provide enhanced network coverage to 2G and 3G mobile users.  Moreover, it will act as a core network to connect the UAE to other nearby countries through global and submarine cables.  So, our network will add to the UAE connectivity capacity regionally. This in turn acts as a stepping stone towards our preparations to launch our fixed line service nationwide. We will continue our efforts to develop our network to further advance our customer experience."

The new project will result in significant enhancement of du's network performance through an increase in speed and bandwidth services enabling high speeds over 3.2Terabit/sec, and can be upgraded to 8Terabit/sec; self-healing; and will have the ability to monitor and remotely control the entire optical network all over the UAE. This is expected to increase efficiency of fibre optic use through which one pair of fibre can provide several services with the best quality and high bandwidth.

The project is built on an Infrastructure Backbone with the latest type of Fibre Optic Cables (Enhanced standard - Ultra Low Loss*) of around 1100 KM all over UAE - designed and executed in-house. Phase 1 in Abu Dhabi and southern emirates connects Abu Dhabi, Al Silla, Al Ain with Dubai (completed), while Phase 2 will cover northern emirates area connecting Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Fujairah and the east coast, The second phase is already being executed and is expected to be completed by mid-2012.  

The project has also added a new dimension by providing an international connection between du and Saudi Telecom Company - STC (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Omantel (Al Buraimi - Oman) providing terrestrial fibre infrastructure connectivity to international gateways. The Infrastructure Backbone also connects with du's international Cable Landing Station facility in Fujairah which adds an additional high bandwidth gateway towards Asia, Africa and Europe continents through the Europe India Gateway (EIG) project).

"To handle strategically significant projects on an international level, we joined hands with Huawei - a prominent company in the area of optical equipment. We are proud of being among the first few companies in the Middle East region to establish a nationwide Optical Transport Network," concluded Bamatraf.

*This type of fibre optic cable has special characteristics to carry the signals for long distances and enables greater reach and longer span .

-Ends-

Additional notes:
Optical Transport Network is a new generation backhauling optical technology and augments du's recently launched fibre backbone network.  It provides functionality of transport, multiplexing, switching, management, supervision and survivability of all types of optical channels carrying client signals that include mobile, Internet, IP, TV signal, etc.  This state-of-the-art technology boosts scalability and enables end-to-end fast provisioning on the optical layer, as well as additional intelligence and planning tool support; ASON (Automatic Switching Optical Network) dynamic policy driven on optical signals or wavelength; and service categorisation or priorities for Service Level Agreements.

Special characteristics of Ultra Low Loss Fibre Optic Cable include reduction in the number of amplification sites; extending the distance between regenerators and easier upgrade to faster and higher bit rates.

About du
du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, launched mobile telecommunication services in February 2007 across the UAE, in addition to internet and pay TV services that du provides in some of the free zones of Dubai. Call Select, du's nationwide fixed line services for voice telephony, was launched in July 2007. By the end of 3rd quarter of 2010, over 4 million people in the UAE had chosen to become du mobile customers.

Among du's many firsts is its historic Number Booking Campaign for both individuals and business, Pay by the Second billing system, Mobile TV, Mobile Payments, first of its kind 'WoW' recharge card (which offers customers the choice between 'more credit', 'more time' and now the 'more international' recharge option with additional credit on international calls) and Self Care.

For business customers, du business offers include Closed Business User Group and preferred International Destinations. du Broadcast Services division brings scalable media technology platforms and telecommunication solutions to the broadcast community through its world-class teleport (Samacom) and Master Control Room (MCR) facilities.

 du products and services for consumers and business are available through du's retail network, currently numbering 37 du shops located in strategic locations across the UAE, including the recently opened flagship store located in the heart of Abu Dhabi. In addition, customers can access du products and services at more than 3000 authorised dealers or through the du e-shop, accessible at http://shop.du.ae du shops are a one-stop-shop for mobile service, carrier select and the payment of service bills.

 du is 39.5 per cent owned by the UAE Federal Government, 19.75 per cent by Mubadala Development Company, 19.5 per cent by Emirates Communications & Technology Company LLC and the remaining stake by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades under the name du.

For further information, please contact:
Saugat Chatterjee
Public Relations Manager
Brand & Communications
du
Mobile:   +971 55 9367045
Email:     saugat.chatterjee@du.ae

Reka Sepsy
Manning, Selvage & Lee
Tel: +971 4 367 6154
Mobile: +971 55 220 68 20
Fax: +971 4 367 2615
Email: reka.sepsy@dubai.mslpr.com

© Press Release 2011