FTTX: Maldives

Hulhumalé enjoys its first access to high-speed internet connectivity through BMB 

Hulhumalé is a reclaimed island in the Maldives, a rapidly developing country in South Asia, and a world-renowned tourism destination. Housing Development Corporation Ltd.

Urbanco is a state-owned enterprise responsible for managing and developing the city. Under Urbanco’s long-term vision of becoming “a leader in redefining quality living,” the corporation commenced its smart city initiative a few years ago to transform Hulhumalé as the first smart city in the Maldives.

Main Challenge

Urbanco undertook a major digital infrastructure development project in Hulhumalé by deploying a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) and establishing it as an Open Access Network (OAN). Although Maldives has been ahead of many South Asian nations in terms of digital connectivity, Urbanco’s OAN was the first state-owned telecommunication network in the country. Furthermore, it is the only network that all internet, data, and TV service providers in the nation share. Via this network in Hulhumalé, significant enhancements in the network connectivity were noted in terms of service speed, reliability, and flexibility.  However, despite having an impressive long history in the real estate sector, and a dedicated and highly talented team, Urbanco faced difficulties in the initial stages of the project, especially due to the lack of the existing telecommunication infrastructure not following worldwide industry best practices.

BMB weathers the connectivity challenge

Urbanco contracted BMB to implement the FTTx project and build a tier 3 container data center. The FTTH (fiber-to-the-home) connection in 7,000 housing units (a mega social housing project in Hulhumalé) was done successfully within a very short time frame, prior to residents moving in. The deployment of the OAN (fiber-optic network) and the data center has improved the overall quality of life for the residents by enabling them to quickly access a wide range of online services and applications.

Throughout the project, BMB has provided excellent service in various scopes, including the physical work of the passive component of the project, zone 1-7 completion, and the Managed Service for our Core and GPON network. In addition, the latest milestone of setting up a Container Data Center as a POI (Point of Interconnection) will establish full redundancy has proven to be a significant achievement.

In collaboration with BMB, Urbanco’s successful implementation of the FTTx project and the Data Center is a testament to the company’s expertise and commitment to delivering high-quality technology solutions. The FTTx network has been a huge success in Hulhumalé and has received widespread praise from residents and businesses alike. The project has significantly improved the quality of life for communities of Hulhumalé by providing them with seamless access to the digital world and enabling them to participate in the global economy.

“The successful deployment of the OAN and other supporting digital infrastructure are crucial milestones we have achieved under Urbanco’s smart city initiative. We are truly delighted to bring these technologies to the Maldives, and I believe that this will act as a strong backbone for a digitally enabled future.” – Ahmed Nafiz, the Chief Commercial Officer of Urbanco

Arma: Celebrating A Milestone In Tech Excellence

BMB unveiled a new collaboration with ARMA Group, a trailblazer in the field of tech engineering. This partnership symbolizes a shared commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and a drive to make a positive impact on society. Together, we aim to delve into new areas, push the limits of technology, and uncover possibilities that were previously considered beyond reach.

Arma Group, the leading name in the FMCG industry in Egypt and the greater MENA region continues to position itself at the forefront of the sector through its embracement of Cisco’s top-notch Digital Network Architecture (DNA) that is fully powered and integrated by BMB. Arma’s most recent digital transformational journey was celebrated in a special gathering that featured the group’s senior management alongside decision-makers and key representatives from BMB and Cisco.

BMB unveiled a suite of Cisco solutions that paved the way for Arma Group’s complete digital transformation. Arma’s evolutionary path, guided by BMB and Cisco, involved crucial steps culminating in a cutting-edge IT Infrastructure project for its New Cairo Headquarters.