NEWS
Zain Group modernises IP MPLS network using
Cisco’s segment routing and WAN automation
Zain Group and Cisco announced they
have successfully achieved a key milestone
in expanding the telecommunications
operator’s IP MPLS network with cutting
edge technologies, setting the groundwork
for new opportunities and business models
to be developed.
As a telecommunications operator
serving over 45 million customers across
eight countries in the Middle East and North
Africa, Zain Group’s network infrastructure
faces an increase of expectations and
workloads driven by the growth of devices
and connections. The annual Cisco Visual
Networking Index Cisco VNI forecast projects
a 12-fold increase in Middle East and Africa
mobile data traffic from 2016 to 2021, a
compound annual growth rate of 65%.
This unprecedented growth requires
service providers to transform their
networks. Zain Group is leveraging Cisco
advanced segment routing platforms and
WAN automation to bring the benefits of
distributed intelligence and centralised
control to its network. Cisco’s industry
leading innovation around cloud-scale and
automation will deliver next- generation
network capabilities to Zain Group to
enable simplification, scalability and open
innovation that drive business results.
The deployment is a bold move toward
network automation and represents a
significant step towards a more resilient
network that delivers high bandwidth,
enhanced application intelligence for 5G,
and a significantly improved end user
experience that defines the network
of the future. Cisco’s technology will
also help Zain Group optimise network
operations and offer a richer suite of
differentiated services.
Jihad Khoueiry (left), Regional Sales Manager, Head of Sales for Zain Group at Cisco with Henri
Kassab, Managing Director, International, Wholesale and Roaming, Zain Group.
Ingram Micro recognises STME for Highest
Transacting Cyber Security Award 2017
STME, the Middle East IT solutions provider
and systems integrator, headquartered in
Riyadh, was recently awarded the Cloud
and Cyber Security Highest Trusted and
Transacting Reseller in MEA 2017 at Ingram
Micro Cloud and Security Summit.
The 8th Annual Ingram Micro awards
are held annually to recognise and honor
partners globally that have exhibited
professionalism and commitment to clients
and end users, innovation of technology,
processes, and services. Other criteria
used to determine award winners include
cloud business growth, peer-to-peer
leadership, and level of engagement and
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Other benefits Zain Group will gain
by modernising their global IP MPLS
architecture include simplified operations,
programmability, scalability and increased
network availability. The Cisco Visual
Networking Index Cisco VNI forecasts that
by 2021, the Middle East and Africa will
have 2.4 billion networked devices up from
1.7 billion in 2016 and 1.4 networked devices
per capita, while 75% of all networked
devices will be mobile-connected in 2021.
alignment with Ingram Micro. The award
recognises STME’s stellar work done in
the recent Security Operations Centre
installation at Marafiq in the Eastern
Province, Saudi Arabia. The Marafiq Centre
needed security systems to manage threats
and reduce risks. The SOC implemented
at Marafiq Centre utilised IBM’s QRadar
Security Intelligence amongst other leading
technologies and processes resulting in
a system designed to protect, detect,
and respond by monitoring, analysing,
correlating and escalating security threats.
“We are greatly honoured to have
received the Cloud and Cyber Security
Highest Trusted and Transacting Reseller
in MEA 2017, from Ingram Micro. It is one
of the many awards we have received that
recognises our efforts in the provision of
security systems, processes, and solutions
in the Middle East region. This award
amplifies our readiness to help clients in
the region with their security needs and
requirements,” commented Ayman Al
Bayaa, CEO.
STME, which has been operating in
the MENA region for the past 30 years
boasts of longstanding partnerships
with industry leading companies and
has broadened its product and services
portfolio across the region. The Ingram
Micro Cloud awards were held at Abu
Dhabi, UAE in November.
Issue 14
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