INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Cabling

& UAE announced its membership in Metro Ethernet Forum , MEF , a global industry association of network , cloud , security , and technology providers . This move underscores the digital telco ’ s commitment to delivering world-class network solutions and enabling seamless connectivity for its customers across the region .

As a member , e & UAE will become part of MEF ' s exclusive ecosystem of over 200 technology , cloud , and network providers . It will also introduce MEF 3.0 Carrier Ethernet services and Lifecycle Service Orchestration , LSO automation API standards aligned to MEF ’ s Network-as-a-Service , NaaS Industry Blueprint , reinforcing its commitment to delivering comprehensive automated digital connectivity solutions .

MEF is a global industry association of network , cloud , security , and technology providers working together to accelerate digital transformation . The organisation plays a pivotal role in delivering service standards , LSO frameworks , APIs , and comprehensive training and certification programmes for services , technologies , and professionals . Its NaaS Industry Blueprint is designed to help service providers develop , market , and deliver the next generation of NaaS offerings . services , the MEF 3.0 connectivity service and LSO APIs will enable etisalat by e & to improve customer experience and reduce time to market on service offerings . This , in turn , will reduce operating costs , resulting in improved margins and enhanced wholesale offerings .

Connectivity investment in 16 countries

e & has made a commitment to the International Telecommunication Union ’ s , ITU Partner2Connect Digital Coalition . In an announcement e & pledged to invest $ 6 billion between 2024 – 2026 in technological advancement , infrastructure development , and innovative digital solutions to extend meaningful connectivity to everyone .

This investment is set to provide accessible and affordable network connectivity and digital services across its 16 operating countries in Africa , Asia , and the Middle East . e &’ s pledge aims to provide meaningful connectivity in UAE , Saudi Arabia , Pakistan , Egypt , Afghanistan , Benin , Burkina Faso , Central African Republic , Côte d ’ Ivoire ,

Gabon , Mali , Mauritania , Morocco , Chad , Togo , and Niger .

The pledging platform maintained by the ITU has mobilised commitments worth over 46 billion over the past two years , aiming to extend meaningful connectivity to everyone worldwide . The group investment plan is set to enhance network accessibility and affordability in emerging economies by expanding network coverage and increasing speed and access for individuals in areas where access is limited or expensive .

For e & customers in emerging markets , new financial , health , and educational services will increasingly hinge on high-speed connections via fibre or wireless broadband . Telecom infrastructure will also be crucial in driving access to education , healthcare , government services , and economic opportunities .

The group ’ s markets vary from the UAE , with the world ’ s fastest mobile network and the highest percentage of fibre penetration , to Pakistan and African countries with limited connectivity . p

Together with its members , MEF developed the MEF 3.0 global services framework , a practical approach to service delivery enabling the automation of standardised Carrier Ethernet , IP , Optical Transport , SD-WAN , Security-as-a-Service , and various other digital services across multiple provider networks .

Seamless interoperability with partner ecosystems and automation is vital in e & UAE ’ s strategy to delivering holistic digital innovations . With industry-backed tools and

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