Google Cloud joins Qatar’s national internet exchange

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has announced that Google Cloud has joined the Qatar Internet Exchange Point (QIX) project, in an important step in the expansion of Qatar's national internet infrastructure.

Qatar Internet Exchange Point is a non-profit government-backed initiative that aims to develop the country's internet ecosystem, serving as a key hub for internet service providers, content providers, educational institutions, government entities and businesses to enable effective local exchange of internet traffic.

Through this collaboration, QFIP members will benefit from improved local access to Google Cloud services, reduced latency, and enhanced network performance. The localization of traffic exchange is expected to contribute to faster and more reliable digital services for telecom operators, businesses, and end-users across the country.

In this context, Mr. Ali Al Suwaidi, Director of Technical Affairs Department at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) and Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Qatar Point Internet Exchange Project, said that the joining of Google Cloud represents an important milestone in the development of the Qatar Point Internet Exchange Project, as the joining of a global cloud service provider contributes to enhancing the project's role as a vital national internet infrastructure, by supporting the localization of data traffic and improving the performance of networks.

He added that this achievement confirms the ongoing commitment to building a flexible and efficient internet system that keeps pace with the aspirations of the State of Qatar in the field of digital transformation.

Ghassan Costa, Regional Director of Google Cloud for Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Iraq, said: "Google Cloud's joining the Qatar Internet Exchange Point project is an important step in the company's commitment to enhancing the digital experience for its customers and partners in Qatar. By localizing traffic exchange, Google will ensure faster and more reliable access to Google Cloud's suite of services and AI technologies. This action not only improves the performance of the network, but also contributes to the support of the Qatar National Vision 2030 by contributing to the promotion of a more robust and resilient national digital infrastructure."

The addition of Google Cloud is expected to strengthen QBP's position as a trusted connectivity platform for global cloud service providers and content providers wishing to efficiently serve the Qatari market. The move is also expected to encourage wider participation from government entities, business, academic institutions, and research and innovation networks, supporting a more connected and resilient digital ecosystem.

Google Cloud is a global leader in cloud computing technologies, providing infrastructure, platform capabilities, and AI-powered solutions that enable organizations in Qatar and around the world to transform their digital operations. With its extensive content delivery infrastructure, it enables secure and efficient access to digital services for users and organizations around the world.

This achievement is in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 by strengthening the national digital infrastructure, enabling innovation, and supporting the process of building a knowledge-based economy. Improved connectivity and network efficiency will also contribute to tangible benefits for consumers and businesses, cementing Qatar's position as a leading regional digital hub.

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