Internet Solutions expands MPLS network globally with Telstra International EMEA

As part of a global expansion programme, Internet Solutions (IS), a division of Dimension Data, has announced a partnership with Telstra International Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), a leading global provider of managed network solutions. This agreement will expand the reach of both parties' Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network coverage.

The bilateral agreement with Telstra International EMEA will enable IS to increase its points of presence (POP) globally to support the international expansion needs of locally based corporate customers, as well as offer multinational Telstra customers access to an extensive, fast and reliable network throughout South Africa, as well as 10 countries within Africa, with an additional 26 African countries on the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) enabled IS network.

Telstra's Global Next IP network has been seamlessly connected to IS' MPLS network through the use of a type B network-to-network interface (NNI), offering customers from both service providers access to a global network through a single connectivity partner, explains Mark Hamburger, Virtual Private Network (VPN) General Manager at IS.

“Companies can now utilise an extensive network to set up Internet Protocol (IP) VPNs to seamlessly connect African sites with other global offices,” he says.

“The partnership will enable IS to offer multinational connectivity services with access to over 1 200 POPs around the world through the Telstra International network, which includes IS' established POPs in New York, two in the United Kingdom and one in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong,” continues Hamburger.

“Both parties have a global policy for interconnect resiliency, so we have enabled interconnects in London, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur to ensure the required redundancy. This has ensured IS can extend our MPLS service offerings in the Australasian region and Telstra into the African continent.”

“We selected IS as our preferred partner in Africa as it is the market leader in the region and the largest MPLS provider in sub-Saharan Africa,” says Simon Vye, Chief Executive Officer, Telstra International EMEA. “Africa is becoming increasingly important to our customers as the region develops into a commercial hub, and IS' extensive network footprint and local market knowledge made them the ideal partner. This agreement will enable us to provide our international customers with the same high quality connectivity into Africa that Telstra is known for in other regions of the world.”

“We have already secured an anchor tenant on our new international MPLS backbone, which is currently active and operational on the network,” says Hamburger. “This is proof that MPLS services can offer corporate customers fully integrated, fast and reliable network services to conduct mission-critical business over, ensuring a truly globalised work environment in an ever changing and rapidly expanding marketplace,” he concludes.