**Extending Reach Through Partnerships with Leading Organisations**

Batelco, the Middle East regional partner of choice for international operators has signed a master bilateral supply agreement with Riedel Networks on the sidelines of International Telecoms Week (ITW) which took place in Chicago, USA from May 11 to 14. Headquartered near Frankfurt, Germany, and with customers across all vertical industries in over 40 countries, Riedel Networks provides a high-performance and quality global communication service platform designed to meet the needs of multinational corporations and broadcasters.

Batelco General Manager Enterprise Division Adel Daylami and Riedel Networks CEO, Michael Martens, signed the agreement in the presence of officials from both organisations. The agreement will allow both parties to extend their reach through accessing the network of the other.

Batelco has 21 active Point-of-Presence (PoP’s) in the Middle East region and Europe, which enables it to extend its portfolio of global services of IPLC, MPLS and Ethernet to Riedel Networks and its customers. With the agreement in place between Batelco and Riedel Networks, each will have the opportunity to access the network of the other. This allows each to extend their reach into new locations, thus being able to serve and deliver services requested by customers in the locations required. Batelco can utilise Riedel’s network to reach its customers in Europe and beyond. Similarly, Riedel Networks can utilise Batelco’s presence across the Middle East region to reach its customers.

Over the past years, Batelco has been actively establishing a strong reputation in the Middle East telecommunication industry and promoting Bahrain as a gateway for global providers who require connectivity into and out of the Middle East and Gulf region.

Mr. Daylami said that Batelco has entered into the agreement with Riedel Networks to expand Batelco’s international reach, giving both parties diversity in terms of choice, and additionally, to support Riedel Networks’ requirements for reliable connectivity in the Middle East region.

“Strategic partnerships with global players demonstrate Batelco’s trusted and resilient network. Batelco’s capability locally and globally allows us to meet our partners’ demands seamlessly, while also providing services at outstanding value,” said Mr. Daylami.

Mr. Martens said that, “The Middle East region is a diverse and growing economy where Riedel Networks sees a constant demand for global connectivity solutions.”

“The agreement with Batelco enables our business customers to connect with businesses in the Middle East and Gulf region using Riedel Networks’ extensive global presence. It underpins our strategy being a premium supplier for high quality data networking worldwide,“ added Mr. Martens.

Batelco Manager Datacoms Products and Services Hani Askar attended the prestigious event along with Mr. Daylami to meet with strategic partners in order to enhance existing partnerships and build key alliances with prospective new partners. Establishing and developing strategic relationships with industry experts is a key focal point for Batelco’s Enterprise Division and forms an integral part of their forward thinking business agenda.

International Telecoms Week is a key meeting point for the global wholesale telecommunications community which annually attracts over 5,000 delegates from thousands of companies representing 150+ countries to meet and buy/sell voice and data products and services. ITW is an event for the entire industry with participants from all areas of the wholesale industry: Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 carriers, mobile / wireless operators, ISPs, VoIP providers and technology partners from the voice, data, satellite, sub-sea and fixed line markets.

Mr. Daylami concluded by saying that events such as ITW were invaluable for Batelco as they provided excellent opportunities to meet with business partners and members of the telecoms industry to exchange knowledge and introduce Batelco’s latest products and services to them.

Caption: Batelco General Manager Enterprise Division Adel Daylami right and Riedel Networks CEO, Michael Martens left, sign the agreement