Laying the foundation for the next generation of super-speed connectivity, Etisalat Group, a leading telecoms operator in the Middle East, Asia and Africa and Huaweia leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions providerhave announced today the signing of a new agreement that will see the two companies - for the first time in the region - working together to trial ultra-fast 40Gbps GPON Technology across Etisalat Group footprint in the coming four years.

Etisalat Group and Huawei outlined the roadmap for trialing a first of its kind 40Gbps fiber network that can eventually offer more reliable, faster, and affordable broadband telecommunication services to households and businesses. The project is based on GPON (Gigabit Passive Optic Network) technology, which can provide the speed and bandwidth required for seamless services including voice over IP, high-speed Internet, and IPTV.

The future of the digital society remains a promising one as people, businesses and cities become more profoundly connected through vibrant information and communication technologies, says Hatem Bamatraf, Chief Technology Officer at Etisalat Group. Etisalat Group remains committed to bringing its customers the latest and most advanced services. We have focused on constantly enhancing our networks, creating strong partnerships, and bringing innovative technologies to our markets, he added.

We look forward to pioneering new fiber optic services in the Middle East together with Etisalat and making it possible to enjoy a more immersive communication experience at home or in the office, says Said Alan Wang, President of Huawei Etisalat Global Key Account. The 40G GPON technology will further enable Etisalat to integrate future upgrades with existing GPON deployment plans, giving more control over the total cost of operation throughout the entire life cycle of the network.

Fiber GPON technology is emerging as the future of fixed networks given its scalability and compatibility with legacy infrastructure. GPON is the underlying core technology that is being already being deployed nationwide in countries like Singapore for their next generation Nationwide Broadband Network initiative.