Singtel, Airtel to combine IP VPNs

Singtel and India’s Bharti Airtel have announced a strategic alliance to provide high-speed connectivity to global enterprises through a single IP VPN.

The operators have combined their infrastructure into one network providing coverage to 325 cities through 370 points of presence in APAC, MEA, Europe and the US. This will form one of the largest IP VPNs worldwide.

The network will support MPLS and high-bandwidth business applications including unified communications, video conferencing and SDN.

A single helpdesk and a single integrated operations and maintenance system have been jointly developed to support the combined networking operations.

“We believe joining forces this way makes total sense. By tapping on one another’s infrastructure assets we enhance each other’s capabilities,” Singtel Group Enterprise managing director of global enterprise business Lim Seng Kong said.

“With its wide coverage of cities in India, this network paves the way for our international customers to enter into one of the world’s most vibrant economies. Conversely, this partnership also opens the door for Indian companies to expand abroad, supported by Singtel’s high quality IP VPN network in major business cities in Asia, Europe and the US.”

He said the agreement will allow Singtel to strengthen its lead as the largest IP VPN provider in APAC with domestic data networks in Australia, India and Singapore.