METRO2C Alliance connects Europe with Asia-Pacific markets

Sea Fibre Networks (SFN), owner and operator of European subsea telecoms network CeltixConnect, says Asia-Pacific operator Hutchison Global Communications (HGC) has joined the METRO2C Alliance.

Launched by Sea Fibre Networks in May 2013, the METRO2C Alliance is a collaboration of European connectivity providers, data center operators, and Internet exchanges providing communication services between Ireland, the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Germany.

HGC, the fixed-line operation of Hong-Kong-listed Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Ltd., has integrated its four cross-border routes with mainland China's tier-one telecommunications operators. The new collaboration provides US and European multinationals and indigenous Irish and UK organizations access to the digital markets of Asia-Pacific via a single source. There are over 2.4 billion Internet users worldwide, 1.1 billion of which are in Asia, and the region is also home to nearly half of the world's mobile subscribers.

By using HGC's infrastructure, consisting of mega data centers and an international fiber-optic network, the METRO2C Alliance creates an express data highway for the increasing number of European enterprises seeking to access applications and data from Asia, as well as supplying data and application-intensive services.

Through the METRO2C Alliance and collaboration with its members, HGC will expand its service portfolio to cities such as Dublin, home to a growing number of Internet-based companies. HCG will initially deliver Layer 2 Ethernet services and IP transit at speeds of multiple 10 Gbps. The company also offers a ready-made cloud environment, with co-location services, for customers wanting to manage transmission and data storage without having to make significant capital investments, reducing the cost and time to enter the Asia-Pacific market, HGC and Sea Fibre assert.

Diane Hodnett, CEO of Sea Fibre Networks, said, "We are excited to add one of Asia's most highly renowned services providers, and its global footprint, to the Alliance. This creates a digital artery into the Asia-Pacific region for U.S. and European organizations providing access to some of the world's most innovative nations. We look forward to working with HGC as it develops its presence in Europe."

Andrew Kwok, HGC president of international and carrier business, added, "We are delighted to join the METRO2C Alliance and expand our footprint to Ireland where many US high-growth technology companies have set up European headquarters. Whether an Asian company is looking to grow its business in Europe, or a U.S. or European business wants to expand into Asia-Pacific, as a member of the METRO2C Alliance, HGC now provides the critical underlying infrastructure to make this possible."

For more information on high-speed transmission systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.