Doha, October 14 (QNA) - The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) announced the onboarding of Google Cloud as a new member of the Qatar Internet Exchange (QIX), marking a significant milestone in the expansion of Qatar's national internet infrastructure.

  QIX is a government-supported, non-profit initiative that advances the internet ecosystem in the State of Qatar. It serves as a central interconnection hub, linking internet service providers, content providers, educational institutions, and government and enterprise entities, enabling the efficient local exchange of internet traffic.

  Google Cloud is a global leader in cloud technology, providing infrastructure, platform capabilities, and AI-driven solutions that help organizations in Qatar and globally transform their digital operations. Through its extensive content delivery infrastructure, it enables secure and efficient access to digital services for users and organizations worldwide.    

  Through this collaboration, QIX members will benefit from improved local access to Google Cloud services, reduced latency, and enhanced network performance. Localizing traffic exchange is expected to deliver faster and more reliable digital services for Service Providers, enterprises, and end users across Qatar.

  Commenting on the announcement, Ali Al Suwaidi, Director of Technical Affairs at CRA and Chair of the QIX Steering Committee, stated: "The onboarding of Google Cloud represents an important step in the evolution of the Qatar Internet Exchange. Welcoming a global cloud provider strengthens QIX's role as critical national internet infrastructure, enhances traffic localization, and improves network performance. This milestone reflects our continued commitment to building a resilient, high-performance internet ecosystem that supports Qatar's digital transformation objectives."

Ghassan Kosta, Regional General Manager – Qatar, Oman, Bahrain & Iraq, Google Cloud, said: "Joining the Qatar Internet Exchange marks a significant step in our commitment to enhancing the digital experience for our customers and partners in Qatar. By localizing traffic exchange, we are ensuring faster, more reliable access to Google Cloud's suite of services and AI technologies. This move not only optimizes network performance but also supports the Qatar National Vision 2030 by contributing to a more robust and resilient national digital infrastructure."

  The addition of Google Cloud reinforces QIX's position as a trusted interconnection platform for global cloud and content providers serving the Qatari market. It is also expected to encourage broader participation from government entities, enterprises, academic institutions, and research networks, contributing to a more interconnected and resilient digital ecosystem.

  This milestone aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 by strengthening national digital infrastructure, enabling innovation, and supporting the development of a knowledge-based economy. Enhanced connectivity and network efficiency will deliver tangible benefits to consumers and businesses, reinforcing Qatar's position as a leading regional digital hub. (QNA)