METRO2C Alliance Unites Europe and Asia Through Hutchison Global Communications

DUBLIN, October 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Sea Fibre Networks' strategic telecoms alliance delivers connectivity to and from Asia's lucrative markets

Sea Fibre Networks (SFN), owner and operator of Europe's advanced sub-sea telecoms network, CeltixConnect, and Hutchison Global Communications (HGC) today announced the expansion of the METRO2C Alliance extending from Europe to Asia. HGC, the fixed-line operation of Hong Kong listed Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Limited, has integrated its four cross-border routes with mainland China's tier-one telecommunications operators. This new collaboration provides US and European multinationals and indigenous Irish and UK organisations extensive access to the booming digital markets of Asia-Pacific via a single source.

There are over 2.4 billion Internet users worldwide, 1.1 billion of which are in Asia^[1]. The region is also home to nearly half of the world's mobile subscribers. These two factors combined with Asia's thriving IT industry place huge strains on international bandwidth capacities - critical for the continuity of the digital economy between Asia and the rest of the world. By leveraging HGC's infrastructure, consisting of world class data centres and a robust international network, the METRO2C Alliance creates an express data highway for the rising number of European enterprises seeking to access applications and data from Asia, as well as supplying data and application-intensive services.  

Through the METRO2C Alliance and collaboration with its members, HGC expands its service portfolio to cities such as Dublin, the European home to a growing amount of internet based companies, commencing with the delivery of Layer 2 Ethernet service at various speed and IP Transit at speeds of multiple 10GBPS. HGC also delivers a ready-made cloud environment, with co-location services, for customers to manage transmission and storage of massive amounts of data without having to make significant capital investments, lowering total cost of ownership and reducing time to enter the Asian - Pacific market.

Diane Hodnett, CEO of the METRO2C Alliance's founder Sea Fibre Networks, said: "We are excited to add one of Asia's most highly renowned services providers, and its global footprint, to the Alliance. This creates a digital artery into the Asia-Pacific region for US and European organisations providing access to some of the world's most innovative nations. We look forward to working with HGC as it develops its presence in Europe.'

Andrew Kwok, HGC President of International and Carrier Business, said: "We are delighted to join the METRO2C Alliance and expand our footprint to Ireland where many US high-growth technology companies have set up European headquarters. Whether an Asian company is looking to grow its business in Europe, or a US or European business is wanting to expand into Asia-Pacific, as a member of the METRO2C Alliance, HGC now provides the critical underlying infrastructure to make this possible."

About The METRO2C Alliance


Founded by Sea Fibre Networks, the METRO2C Alliance is the collaboration of Europe's leading connectivity providers, data centre operators and Internet exchanges providing best-in-class communication solutions connecting Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and Germany. The METRO2C Alliance is carrier-neutral facilitating collaboration amongst members, providing enterprises with premier high capacity connectivity solutions matching bespoke requirements such as diverse routing, low latency, scalability and modern technology with very competitive cost efficiencies.

Members of the METRO2C Alliance include:

1. Connectivity Providers: experienced in the design, delivery and management of tier 1 and tier 2 networks, with a proven track record in dealing with global enterprise and carrier customers. Product offerings include dark fibre and managed services.


2. Data Centre Operators: Europe's leading Data Centre Service Providers crucial to the growth of the digital economy, providing services from data storage, disaster recovery and cloud computing.

3. Internet Exchanges: Europe's leading Internet Exchanges dedicated to reducing costs and increasing the efficiency of the telecoms industry.

Visit the METRO2C website today for more information. Announcing following routes soon: Munich, Zurich, Brussels, Hamburg, Copenhagen and Stockholm. To enquire about an enterprise solution, please use our Solution Generator  feature. For becoming a member of the METRO2C Alliance, please contact us here.

About Hutchison Global Communications Limited


Hutchison Global Communications Limited (HGC) owns one of the largest fibre-to-the- building telecommunications networks in Hong Kong. Since establishment in 1995, it has been fully committed to building its own 100% optical-fibre network infrastructure and introducing advanced facilities. Coupled with its four cross-border routes integrated with all three of mainland China's tier-one telecommunications operators and world-class international network, HGC provides a comprehensive range of fixed-line telecommunications services locally and overseas. HGC is a subsidiary of Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Limited (HTHKH, Stock Code: 215). HTHKH is a leading integrated telecommunications service operator, offering mobile and fixed-line services to local and international customers.

For more information on HGC, please visit http://www.hgc.com.hk. For more information on HTHKH, please visit http://www.hthkh.com.

About Sea Fibre Networks

Sea Fibre Networks is a carrier neutral, sub-sea telecoms provider. The company is owner and operator of CeltixConnect, Europe's most advanced sub-sea telecoms network. Sea Fibre Networks delivers the innovation and flexibility businesses need to stay ahead in the market place. It provides network solutions tailored to specific needs with the most efficient service. All products are supported by industry leading Service Level Agreements (SLA's). These are further enhanced with proactive management and monitoring of the sub-sea cable system.

Information about Sea Fibre Networks can be found at http://www.seafibre.com.

Media enquiries:
Sea Fibre Networks/METRO2C Alliance
Sarah Cunningham
Tel: +35316624399 or Email: corporate@seafibre.com

1. Internet World Statistics website, http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm