Gulf Bridge International (GBI), a service provider that operates an integrated network connecting the world to the Middle East, has signed an agreement with Ciena to upgrade its submarine and terrestrial networks.
GBI will deploy Ciena's 6500 packet-optical platform to enhance network flexibility and scalability, boosting capacity through the use of 100G and 200G coherent wavelengths.
The deployment of 100G and 200G upgrades on GBI's submarine segments is believed to be the first deployment of such technology in the region, which will increase GBI's network capacity twenty-fold. This capacity enhancement will enable GBI to offer differentiated, premium business and wholesale services across the region, connecting the world to the Middle East.
Speaking on the occasion of the deal, Abdulla Al Rwaili executive vice-chairman and managing director of GBI said: "We have recognised that the ever-increasing bandwidth usage in the region has created a demand for customised services and greater network upgrades. The investments in greater network intelligence will help us deliver on the current and future needs of our customers and partners."
Ed McCormack, vice president and general manager of submarine systems at Ciena, commented: "With Ciena's solutions underpinning GBI's submarine and terrestrial cables, GBI will have a fully optimised end-to-end network. This massive capacity enhancement also means that GBI is well positioned to accommodate growth and help its customers facilitate the demand for high-bandwidth applications, such as those needed for video and cloud services."
Ciena's 6500 packet-optical platform, equipped with the new WaveLogic 3 Extreme chipset, combined with GeoMesh submarine solutions and E-Suite integrated packet switching, will add more intelligence to the GBI network, as well as improved ease of operations, maintenance and future capacity expansions, including an option to perform future upgrades.
More importantly, GBI's latest infrastructure investment validates the organisation's results-oriented vision and mission to meet the demands of customers and partners and to deliver on the company's promises to deploy state-of-the-art technology and high-bandwidth services.