Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the largest integrated Information Communication Technology (ICT) company in Pakistan, in collaboration with DE-CIX, the world’s leading Internet Exchange (IX) operator, celebrated the inauguration of the ‘Pakistan Internet Exchange (PIE) powered by DE-CIX’. This significant milestone marks the establishment of the first carrier-neutral IX in the country.
Situated in the PTCL data center in Karachi, the PIE is operated by DE-CIX under the innovative DE-CIX as a Service (DaaS) model. Leveraging DE-CIX’s renowned interconnection infrastructure, the IX offers local peering and facilitates remote access to DE-CIX Frankfurt (Germany), one of the largest IXs globally. The PIE powered by DE-CIX is poised to serve as a pivotal hub for regional connectivity, enabling local networks to benefit from low-latency interconnection and the localization of global content. Additionally, it enhances network stability, scalability, and security.
During the inauguration event, Dr. Umar Saif, Federal Minister of IT & Telecommunication, emphasized the significance of Pakistan’s burgeoning digital market and the strides made in advancing fiber connectivity. Dr. Saif highlighted the potential of PIE powered by DE-CIX to position Pakistan as a regional digital connectivity hub, facilitating the hosting of localized content from leading platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and TikTok. He underscored the economic benefits, estimating annual revenues ranging from $200-400 million through transit traffic, contributing significantly to the country’s economy.
Zarrar Hasham Khan, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer at PTCL & Ufone 4G, expressed excitement about the collaboration with DE-CIX, emphasizing PTCL’s commitment to advancing Pakistan’s digital infrastructure. Khan highlighted the collaboration’s role in enhancing the Internet experience for customers and facilitating the local hosting of content by international platforms, driving digital enablement and accelerating the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy.
Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX, reiterated the importance of local interconnection for Pakistan, emphasizing the PIE powered by DE-CIX as a catalyst for unlocking the country’s economic potential through excellent Internet connectivity. Ivanov underscored the IX’s role in attracting international Internet and cloud service providers, fostering the development of a vibrant local digital ecosystem, and ensuring seamless access to local and international information, content, and services.
The inauguration of the Pakistan Internet Exchange represents a significant milestone in Pakistan’s digital transformation journey. The collaboration between PTCL and DE-CIX is poised to elevate the country’s position as a regional digital hub, driving economic growth and fostering innovation in the digital landscape.
