Etisalat, one of the world’s leading telecom groups in emerging markets has partnered with i3D.net, an industry-leading hosting provider specializing in online video gaming infrastructure.
Centralized server clusters synchronize interactions between gamers in real-time where caching is not an option. The servers, deployed in i3D.net’s data centers, are critical to the gameplay experience of popular online video game titles. The partnership between Etisalat and i3D.net will result in an extreme reduction in latency to video games locally hosted on i3D.net’s infrastructure for Etisalat’s customer base, providing a first-class gameplay experience to all of the UAE.
Under the terms of the deal, i3D.net will deploy a network backbone PoP in Etisalat’s SmartHub facility in Fujairah and connect to the SH-IX internet exchange. Leveraging local low-latency transport connectivity back to i3D.net’s existing server footprint in Dubai, both companies will be uniquely positioned to bring a superior video gaming experience to local ISP partners and their end users all over the MENA region.
According to Stijn Koster, Managing Director at i3D.net:
“International reach has always been an important part of i3D.net’s vision – we have expanded i3D.net’s backbone network to every continent of the world, and were one of the first to bring locally hosted video gaming infrastructure to the Gulf region in 2016. We are now diversifying our regional presence to access new key markets as well as increasing redundancy, further improving our unique high-performance hosting platform.”
Rashid Ali Al-Ali, VP International Sales at Etisalat said:
“Etisalat’s SmartHub is a central hub today for submarine cables due to the partnerships with leading carrier names in the industry. SmartHub has grown into a key IP inter-connection hub for ISPs providing their customers with direct connectivity to deliver high capacity content with low latency. i3D.net customers will now be able enjoy seamless connectivity and gaming on SmartHub’s network.”
About Etisalat
Etisalat Group is one of the world’s leading telecom groups in emerging markets. With consolidated net revenues at AED 52.2 billion and consolidated net profit of AED 8.7 billion for 2019. Its high credit ratings reflect the company’s strong balance sheet and proven long-term performance.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Etisalat was established over four decades ago in the UAE as the country’s first telecommunications service provider. An international blue-chip organization, Etisalat provides innovative solutions and services to 141 million subscribers in 15 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
About i3D.net
i3D.net, a Ubisoft company, is one of the leading providers of high performance hosting and global infrastructure services. Operating a global low-latency network, with thousands of servers spread over 33 points of presence in 15 countries, i3D.net excels in the gaming market and hosts a variety of AAA games for PC, Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and mobile. With over 100 million gamers using our servers daily, we are proud to call ourselves the game hosting specialists. Visit www.i3D.net for more information.
About Ubisoft
Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Watch Dogs, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman and Far Cry. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com
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