Verizon Business Expands Global Network Presence in Middle East, Activating a Private IP Node in Cairo

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Responding to the needs of multinational business customers, Verizon Business has activated a private Internet protocol node in Cairo, in conjunction with TE Data, the data communications and Internet unit of Telecom Egypt. The node offers customers with operations in the region a direct and secure high-performance link to the Verizon Business global IP network. The IP node is owned by TE Data, but was designed and built with technical assistance from Verizon Business. The company is accepting Private IP Service orders.

"As our multinational customers establish operations in the Middle East, they need connectivity to and from this region to meet their current and future communications needs," said Ihab Tarazi, vice president of Verizon Business global network planning. "The IP node expansion into Egypt shows our continued commitment in the Middle East market to provide our customers with reliable communications services.

"Once customer traffic is on the global IP backbone, we can transport that traffic from all over the world to the Middle East," he added. Verizon Business customers also have access to IP nodes in Kuwait and Dubai.

Verizon Private IP is a network-based virtual private network (VPN) that enables customers to effectively communicate over a secure network. This service also provides the foundation of automating business processes between companies, including e-commerce, shared intranets and extranets. Based on Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology, Verizon Private IP offers customers scalable and flexible network connections with integrated performance and traffic management capabilities.

"Our MPLS network is highly resilient and built for mission-critical customer applications," Tarazi said. "Businesses operating in the global market need reliable, secure and efficient communications infrastructure, services and solutions. That is why Verizon Business continues its aggressive network expansion in the Middle East and around the world."

In addition to the IP node in Egypt, Verizon Business also is servicing the region by using its investment in the SEA-ME-WE4 (Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe) submarine cable network. The submarine cable network system spans 20,000 kilometers and links Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Italy and France. Verizon Business is the only U.S.-based service provider participating as an initial member in the SEA-ME-WE4 submarine cable network.

"We know how important it is to deliver services all over the world for our multinational customers," Tarazi said. "Our global network investments in additional IP nodes and submarine cable systems like SEA-ME-WE4 and our new Trans-Pacific Express project linking mainland China and the United States are examples of how our capital infrastructure investments today will meet customer communications needs of tomorrow."

Verizon Business and TE Data will participate in official opening and celebration activities for the new Private IP node on June 25 in Cairo.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large business and government customers worldwide. Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced technology and professional service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.

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