Communication services provider Reliance Globalcom has set up the world's first high-speed data link that provides US and European companies with seamless connectivity to Asia and the West Asia following the establishment of a new Mediterranean 'gateway and hub'.
Connectivity between the diverse geographic regions is facilitated through integration of Reliance Globalcom's next-generation 'Hawk' submarine cable system with the gateway and hub set up at Cyprus, enabling the transfer of data at a speed of 16 terabytes per second.
"Hawk offers connectivity to the Mediterranean hub that will help our 2,000 multinational customers extend their network in new regions, leveraging the high speed, high quality global network of Reliance," Reliance Globalcom President and CEO Punit Garg said.
With this, Reliance Globalcom now owns the only private cable system with end-to-end connectivity directly from India to the West Asia, Europe and USA.
In the first quarter of 2012, this network will be integrated into Reliance Globalcom's Egyptian hub, thereby extending connectivity to its pan-Asia network linking more than 30 countries, he added.
"The company has invested about $300 million in the Mediterranean region in over two-and-a-half years," Garg said.
The gateway and hub at Yeroskipos -- where the Hawk submarine cable system will land -- was set up under an agreement between Reliance and Cyprus fixed line and TV services firm PrimeTel for "hubbing and gateway of the Mediterranean region".
As per the agreement, both companies will also cooperate to connect customers to Reliance's global network.
Anil Ambani-led Reliance Globalcom plans to set up four more landing stations in the Mediterranean region.
"The first one will come up in Egypt in the first quarter of 2012 (January-March), while the remaining will be set up in the remaining part of the year," Garg said.
He, however, declined to comment on the investment details.
The Mediterranean Gateway has been integrated into Reliance Globalcom's European network, which covers Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Amsterdam and the United Kingdom, amongst other countries.
This gateway is also connected to Reliance Globalcom's USA Gateway in New York and Virginia.
"The Hawk cable system will have a significant impact on the Europe and Cyprus economy in order to establish itself as a country for new emerging services, facilitated by increased international capacity and diverse cable routing," Garg said.