DOHA, QATAR -- Qatar Telecom (Qtel), AT&T and NavLink announced today that they have signed an agreement to extend the AT&T Global Network (AGN) in the Middle East region through the deployment of a state-of-the-art AGN node in Doha, the Qatari capital.
This new node will provide Qtel's customers access to advanced data, connectivity and managed services from AT&T and will allow Qtel’s network to interconnect with one of the world most advanced Internet Protocol (IP) based global infrastructures. It will mean that AT&T becomes the first global service provider to offer global data services in Qatar, one of the fastest growing economies in the region.
The AGN node, which will be hosted in Qtel’s new Data Center, is the first of its kind deployed in the region, confirming Qtel as a leading regional service provider. The Data Center has been built to the same standards and specifications AT&T requires for centers housing its own network nodes around the world.
Qtel and NavLink, an AT&T affiliated company, also announced today that they have signed a series of agreements. NavLink will install and maintain the new AGN node and work with Qtel to support customers needing AT&T services.
Qtel Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nasser Marafih said, “Under the leadership of H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, we have embarked on a program to lead the region into the next generation of telecom and IT related services.
“The set up of an AT&T network node in Doha shall enable Qtel to offer leading Qatari and multinational enterprises an array of data services including world wide connectivity over AT&T’s global network.”
“AT&T is pleased to build on the strong relationship which NavLink has built with Qtel and to be involved in this project to offer customers state-of the-art, global network capabilities” said Chris Rooney, President AT&T Sales. “It offers us a significant opportunity to extend our presence and services for our multinational customers to one of the fastest growing and economically active regions of the world.”
George N. Chammas, NavLink Co-President & CFO, said “We have been honored to be associated with Qtel since its introduction of IP related data services. We look forward in assisting Qtel to serve the enterprise hosting, managed services and wide are networking needs for enterprises and institutions”.
The announcement today —part of an ongoing series of MPLS enabled node deployments into countries around the world, including in China and Mexico—reflects AT&T’s commitment to business customers that generated almost 75 percent of the company’s $30.5 billion annual revenue in 2004.
The AT&T Global Network already has over 1000 MPLS enabled nodes in more than 50 countries around the world. Extending the reach of AT&T’s global IP network into additional countries such as Qatar reflects a growing demand for increased network presence by the company’s largest multinational customers.
Qtel sees significant opportunities to offer global services to its customers in the public and private sectors. Choosing to pursue a strategic partnership with the leading global networking company and its cutting edge regional affiliate boosts Qtel’s strategic intent to become the main centre for global networking solution and related network and data centre value added services for customers not only in Qatar but throughout the region.
About Qatar Telecom (Qtel)
Qtel (www.qtel.com.qa) is the exclusive telecommunications provider in Qatar and is one of the largest public companies in the country with about 1,800 employees. Qtel provides a range of telecommunications products including national, international, mobile GSM, Internet & Cable television services. Qtel was successfully launched on the Doha Securities Market (DSM) in 1998 and successively listed on the London Stock Exchange, and the Bahrain and Abu Dhabi stock markets. Qtel’s strategic priority is to create value for its shareholders through superior customer service and new products and services demanded by the rapidly growing and modernizing Qatari economy.
About NavLink
NavLink (www.navlink.com) is a system and network integrator and managed service provider, operating in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Founded in December 1996, NavLink achieved a leadership position in high-end IP consulting, system integration, enterprise hosting and managed services serving telcos and new operators, as well as multinational corporations. NavLink operates a carrier class data center in Nice, France part of AT&T’s 26 global data centers. NavLink resells AT&T wholesale and enterprise VPN services in the Middle East and Africa.
About AT&T
For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE 'T') has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services.
