Following the announcement of a new partnership, stc Group is connected to the Orange Wholesale IPX network through Orange’s Middle East and Asia peering points. Set to boost customer experience, this collaboration strengthens international connectivity and innovation in the region.
The agreement offers significant improvements in roaming performance for stc Group customers, cutting latency from 280ms to as low as 100ms. This is achieved by eliminating the reliance on legacy European Points of Presence (PoPs) and routing data through more direct and efficient pathways. For customers, this means faster loading times, smoother streaming, and a more reliable connection while traveling, ensuring a superior digital experience.
The partnership leverages Orange Wholesale’s local breakout solution, a key feature of its SMART program (Shortest Main Access for Roaming Traffic). This innovative infrastructure enables the local termination of international roaming traffic, reducing latency and enhancing performance.
“This partnership is a game-changer for roaming in the region. As 5G continues to transform the way we use mobile networks, our collaboration with stc Group ensures that customers can rely on seamless, high-performance connectivity wherever they go. I’m excited to see the positive impact on customer experiences!" Emmanuel Rochas, CEO, Orange Wholesale International, commented.
Mohammed Alabbadi, Group Chief Carrier & Wholesale Officer at stc Group, stated, “Partnering with Orange Wholesale reflects our dedication to providing unmatched connectivity for our customers. By enhancing our roaming capabilities and embracing cutting-edge solutions, stc Group proudly continues to serve as the region’s leading digital enabler.”
Emmanuel Rochas, CEO of Orange Wholesale International, and Mohammed Al-Abaddi, CEO of stc Group.
This partnership reflects the mutual ambition of Orange and stc Group to transform the connectivity landscape in the Middle East, and was made possible by years of investments aimed at upgrading regional networks.
As part of Orange Middle East's SMART program (Shortest Main Access for Roaming Traffic), IPX regional backbones have been continuously optimized to accommodate soaring data roaming usage in the wake of widespread 5G adoption in the region.
