HGC, Sri Lanka Telecom Partner to accelerate SDN alliance interoperability

HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC), a fully-fledged fixed-line operator and ICT service provider with extensive local and international network coverage, services and infrastructure, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT), Sri Lanka's fixed-line operator and ICT service provider, marking the beginning of the two companies' collaboration on accelerated network integration and expansion using SDN technology.

HGC and SLT will work together to enhance interoperability with the goal of accelerating their customers' digitalization journey through inter-carrier network orchestration between the ASEAN and global communities, as well as network integration on HGC international marketplace by SDN.

The collaboration will enable HGC and SLT to leverage both companies' network resources and capabilities to expand their already-extensive network footprints while utilizing digital technology to provide customers with highly flexible connectivity. This marks an important step in expanding ASEAN connectivity on the SDN-enabled marketplace and demonstrates the elastic flexibility of the company's network provision across carriers. HGC's SDN alliance also enhances interoperability between service providers by riding on HGC's carrier-to-carrier API hub, which is built on SDN architecture.

In addition, the alliance will provide ASEAN and global customers with quick and easy on-demand capacity to access HGC PoPs covering Hong Kong, Myanmar, Singapore, London and Los Angeles, as well as SLT PoPs around the globe and Data Centers based in Colombo — within just a few clicks through HGC international marketplace by SDN, anytime and anywhere. It also complements SLT's existing portfolio of network services, by providing direct, dynamic connectivity to the world's largest cloud providers, such as AWS, Microsoft Azure and Alibaba Cloud; and access to global Internet Exchanges.

Mahinda Samarasinha, SLT's General Manager of Carrier Business said: "We are delighted to announce the start to collaborate on interoperability with HGC. By leveraging both SLT's and HGC's ICT capabilities and global expertise, our corporate customers can enjoy innovative solutions, on-demand services and quick and easy flexible connectivity, giving them the edge in the digital transformation race in both ASEAN and global communities."

Ravindran Mahalingam, HGC's SVP of International Business, said: "The collaboration between HGC and SLT further strengthens HGC's dedication in cultivating SDN federation starting from the ASEAN region, as well as highlighting both companies' efforts to address the customers future connectivity requirements. The robust marketplace not only creates a new business model for infrastructure providers to unite and strategically increase profitability through maximizing capability allocation, acting as a white-label platform, it also boosts competitiveness by providing increased agility throughout the telecommunications ecosystem while providing scalable network access for the ASEAN market."