Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), Pakistan’s largest integrated Information Communication Technology (ICT) company, and DE-CIX, the world’s leading Internet Exchange (IX) operator, today launched the ‘Pakistan Internet Exchange (PIE) powered by DE-CIX’, the country’s first carrier-neutral IX.
The IX is housed in the PTCL data centre in Karachi and is administered by DE-CIX using the DE-CIX as a Service (DaaS) model. It is built on DE-CIX’s award-winning interconnection architecture.
DE-CIX
The interconnection platform supports both local peering and distant access to DE-CIX Frankfurt (Germany), one of the world’s largest IXs.
Pakistan Internet Exchange
PIE, powered by DE-CIX, will serve as a regional connectivity hub, allowing local networks to connect with low latency and localise global content while improving network stability, scalability, and security.
Dr. Umar Saif
Speaking at the event, the Chief Guest, Dr. Umar Saif, Federal Minister of IT and Telecommunication, stated, “Pakistan is a giant digital market, with an internet user base larger than the population of Italy.
Over the last few years, we have achieved substantial advances in fibre connectivity. We received two fibre loops from Kashgar to Rawalpindi, which were then extended to Karachi by PTCL.
Additionally, multiple submarine cables making landfall in Karachi further enhance our connectivity.
Now, PTCL Business Solution’s carrier neutral Internet Exchange, managed by a tier 1 IX operator, DE-CIX, is up and running and generates exciting prospects for localized content hosting from leading platforms like YouTube, Netflix and TikTok.
The content cached and routed from Pakistan can seamlessly reach other markets, positioning us as the regional digital connectivity hub.
It can generate annual revenues, ranging from $200-400 million through transit traffic to substantially add to our economy.”
Collab with DE-CIX
“We are thrilled to collaborate with DE-CIX to bring this state-of-the-art interconnection facility to Pakistan,” said Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer at PTCL & Ufone 4G.
He further stated, “As the largest integrated ICT company in Pakistan, we are committed to advancing the country’s digital infrastructure to support widespread digitalization, and this collaboration is a significant step forward in achieving that goal.
Our nationwide network and DE-CIX’s interconnection infrastructure will serve as a foundation to enhance Internet experience of our customers while facilitating the local hosting of content by international platforms.
We believe this partnership will not only drive digital enablement across the country but also help accelerate the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy.”
“As one of the most populous countries in Asia and with Internet usage growing extremely fast, it is clear that Pakistan needs local interconnection.
The Pakistan Internet Exchange powered by DE-CIX will prove itself to be key to unlocking the economic potential of excellent Internet connectivity for the country.
CEO of DE-CIX
The IX will enable national networks to serve world-class Internet connectivity and also attract more international Internet and cloud service providers to do business in Pakistan, allowing the development of a vibrant local digital ecosystem,” commented Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX.
“In this way, the people in Pakistan can enjoy the best access to local and international information, content, and services.
We at DE-CIX want to serve this great demand for high speed, high quality, stable, and resilient Internet connectivity to guarantee a seamless experience for end users and businesses across the country,” Ivanov continued.
UAE Internet Exchange
Pakistan Internet Exchange will join success stories such as the UAE-IX powered by DE-CIX in Dubai, which has grown and succeeded over the previous twelve years and is now recognised as an important worldwide Internet hub.
The DaaS programme comprises a suite of services allowing digital infrastructure operators to build their own IX and interconnection platform, which DE-CIX fully manages.
These services include installation, maintenance, provisioning, marketing, and sales support. It provides the technical setup required for an Internet Exchange as a fully pre-configured and standardised “DE-CIX in a box” solution.
To read our blog on “PTCL acquired 100% stakes of Telenor Pakistan in Rs. 108 bn,” click here
