Abu Dhabi: TECHz – News Desk
e& UAE, the flagship telecom arm of e&, has announced a strategic deployment of Ciena’s next-generation optical and software solutions to construct a future-ready, high-capacity Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) network.
This major infrastructure enhancement is designed to handle the Middle East’s surging traffic demands and power the next wave of digital growth across the region. The new network build-out aims to significantly increase capacity for e& UAE, providing the scalability and ultra-high-capacity foundation required for advanced digital services. By future-proofing its infrastructure, e& UAE is targeting the fast-paced, data-intensive connectivity needs of hyperscalers, neoscalers, and expanding data center operators.
“This new DWDM network represents a significant step forward in the capacity and scalability of our infrastructure, helping the region respond to rapidly growing bandwidth demand,” stated Marwan Bin Shakar, Chief Technology Officer at e& UAE. “We selected Ciena because of its proven leadership in high-capacity optical networking and its ability to deliver scalable, resilient and low-latency infrastructure. With Ciena’s technology, we can provide customers across the Middle East with connectivity designed to support their evolving needs.”
To support this ambitious network expansion, e& UAE is leveraging a suite of cutting-edge technologies from Ciena. This includes WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) utilizing 1.6Tb/s coherent optics to dramatically boost data transmission capacity per wavelength within the existing network footprint, ensuring optimal performance for highly sensitive AI data center hubs. The deployment also incorporates Ciena’s Reconfigurable Line System (RLS) and Waveserver platforms to provide robust, scalable transport for high-bandwidth enterprise and consumer applications, alongside the Navigator Network Control Suite for end-to-end network visibility and automation.
The deployment builds on a long-standing relationship between e& UAE and Ciena, deeply focused on modernizing digital infrastructure.
Brodie Gage, Senior Vice President and Chief Product and Technology Officer at Ciena, emphasized the regional impact: “The Middle East is experiencing a surge in bandwidth demand, driven by the rapid expansion of various advanced digital applications. It’s clear that e& UAE’s next-generation network will transform the region and help position the company to stay ahead of today’s and tomorrow’s evolving digital requirements.”
With this upgrade, e& UAE continues to solidify its position as an AI-powered telco, ensuring that its infrastructure can sustainably and seamlessly support the next era of digital transformation across the Middle East.


