AWASR, Alliance Networks, and the Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX) have partnered up to launch a new Internet exchange in Oman - Oman-IX.
The Internet exchange (IX) will be the first in Oman and will be owned by AWASR, while Alliance Networks, a digital infrastructure service provider, will handle the marketing and sales for the IX. AMS-IX will provide the platform and technical support, as well as offer its expertise and training.
The IX will be located in Equinix’s MC1 data center in Muscat, Oman, and is expected to go live in Q4 of this year.
The IX will enable the aggregation of IP peering traffic from local and global networks, as well as the exchange with AMS-IX to other international IXs.
"We are thrilled to embark on this transformative collaboration with Alliance Networks and AMS-IX,” said Adnan Al-Alawi, CEO of AWASR. “By launching Oman-IX, we will unlock new opportunities for the Sultanate of Oman, enabling efficient exchange of Internet traffic and promoting digital innovation across industries."
Peter van Burgel, CEO of AMS-IX, added: "We are delighted to contribute our expertise in Internet Exchange services to this partnership. The collaboration between AWASR, Alliance Networks, and AMS-IX will empower Oman's digital landscape and accelerate the country's connectivity to global networks via public peering. Oman-IX will serve as a vital hub for Internet traffic exchange, enabling enhanced user experience and fostering digital innovation."
According to Data Center Map, Muscat is also home to Cloud Acropolis, KOM 4, Wattaya, and Duqm data centers, the latter three of which are located at the Oman Data Park.
Oman will also host an extension to the 2Africa cable known as 2Africa Pearls. The branch will also land in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Pakistan, India, and Saudi Arabia.
AWASR is the Sultanate of Oman’s first specialized broadband Internet service provider. The company started operations in 2015, and is the third fixed-line telecom license holder in the country besides Omantel and Qatar-based Ooredoo.
