The Middle Eastern operator aims to participate in the standardisation and development of 800G technology and finalise the commercial use of 800G Ethernet port standards
e& UAE has become a member of the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) giving it a seat at the table in the standardisation of carrier-grade Ethernet as network-as-a-service revenues continue to rise. Last month, the operator partnered with Huawei to conduct a live trial of 800Gbps Ethernet as it tested the limits of the technology.
The operator said that as it prepares for the “5G Advanced era”, it wanted to emphasise the significance of prioritising bearer networks in developing fixed and wireless access networks as a backbone and to build its IP infrastructure.
Compared with a 400GE port, an 800GE port provides the network with higher bandwidth and non-blocking forwarding capability. By adopting 800G Ethernet ports combined with network automation and slicing capabilities, e& UAE reckons it will get a next-generation bearer network with ultra-bandwidth, intelligence, and low latency.
As part of the industry, e& UAE aims to participate in the standardisation and development of 800G technology, promote standards improvement, and finalize the commercial use of 800G Ethernet port standards. To cope with the traffic growth brought by the 5.5G era, e& UAE plans to cooperate with Huawei to complete an 800GE router trial during 2024 based on Huawei’s latest NetEngine8000X platform and 19.2T LPU and continuously explore the innovation and network value of 800GE.
E& UAE has also outlined its intention to deploy 800GE networks into commercial services based on network traffic growth and architectural needs.
Friends with benefits
As a member, e& UAE will become part of MEF’s ecosystem of more than 200 leading 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.
“At e& UAE, we are dedicated to shaping the future of connectivity at every opportunity. Our membership in MEF and the launch of MEF 3.0 Carrier Ethernet services and LSO APIs reflect our commitment to delivering tangible benefits to our valued customers,” said e& UAE chief technology and information officer Khalid Murshed.
He said that seamless interoperability with partner ecosystems and automation is vital in e& UAE’s strategy to delivering holistic digital innovations. With industry-backed tools and 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 wholesale service offerings.
“This initiative enables us to lead the market with cutting-edge services, meet partner demands for reliable solutions, and expedite our digital transformation journey. Consequently, this translates into faster service delivery, enhanced customer experiences, and solidifies our position as a prominent digital service provider in the region,” he added.
MEF chief operating officer Kevin Vachon said: “We are delighted to welcome e& UAE as a new member from the Gulf Region, bringing unique perspectives and expertise to our global ecosystem.”
“By leveraging MEF’s standards, certifications, LSO APIs and NaaS Industry Blueprint, which enables providers to develop and deliver innovative offerings, e& UAE can unlock a range of benefits and access to a collaborative, automated ecosystem that will enable them to deliver an even more compelling value proposition to their customers,” he added. “We foresee e& UAE thriving as a MEF and helping to shape the future of assured services across the region and beyond.”