du joins the league of first few regional companies in collaboration with Cisco

du, the UAE's integrated telecom service provider, has announced it has converged its fixed and mobile IP transport networks using the Cisco CRS Carrier Routing System. This will enable FMC (Fixed Mobile Convergence) on du’s network to meet the demand for high-end broadband services and makes the company unique in its ability to rapidly deploy new high-bandwidth mobile applications and data packages.

Cisco and du have collaborated previously to develop a portfolio of data and mobility services in the UAE. This new phase of network development will allow du to improve the speed, flexibility and scalability of mobile-based services to its customers. 

This is one of the first regional FMC projects where all the fixed and mobile services run on the same IP network with mobile (signaling and bearer), mobile data, residential internet, business internet, residential voice, enterprise voice, international voice, layer 2 VPNs, layer 3 VPNs and video running on a single IP/MPLS core powered by Cisco. This collaboration between Cisco and du also paves the way for future mobile applications and services to du’s customers in the UAE.

• By consolidating cores, du is able to offer its customers in the UAE a more scalable platform to deliver future services at a higher quality. The reduction in core equipment and moving to latest technology also reduces du’s energy consumption and  reduce carbon footprint.

• The project consisted of the CRS’s (Cisco Carier Routing System) and core points-of-presence upgrades to cater for higher bandwidth requirements offering 10x bandwidth upgrade for mobile based services through the addition of new hardware to the mobile nodes. The Mobile network was then enabled with end to end quality of service prioritising critical traffic.

Hatem Bamatraf, SVP Network Development, du, said:“Our vision to run a fully converged network where all the fixed and mobile services run on the same IP network is being achieved through our fixed mobile convergence projects. By collaborating with Cisco will be able to continue to deploy state-of-the art technology to continue enhancing the level of service we are delivering to our customers.” 

Wayne Hull, general manager, Cisco, UAE

“du and Cisco’s combined experience and expertise, built through a long-standing relationship, has resulted in superior service and technology offerings that can enhance productivity and reduce operational costs across organizations in the UAE. Through the fixed mobile convergence, du and Cisco are now even better positioned to help our customers gain significant returns from their networks through greater productivity and reduced operating expenses.”