Telstra now provides direct connection to Microsoft Azure Peering Service and Teams
Telstra has announced it's been selected as a carrier for the Microsoft Azure Peering Service, a networking service that enhances customer connectivity, and Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams.
The announcement builds on a long-standing relationship between Telstra and Microsoft. It will help enhance connectivity to Microsoft cloud services and provide an integrated calling experience via Teams.
Networking solutions for remote workers and accelerating workloads to the cloud have risen as top ICT investments for Asia Pacific businesses.
Telstra says in the future workplace, global connectivity and cloud telephony services are expected to form the backbone for organisations looking to streamline operations.
Microsoft Azure Peering Service provides optimised internet connectivity to Microsoft cloud services such as Microsoft 365, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and Azure. Telstra says it will be working closely with Microsoft to provide enterprise customers with end-to-end, high-performing public connectivity.
This offering is integrated with Telstra Global Internet Direct (GID) to help ensure connectivity services and secure access through a single network. Telstra is now offering Azure Peering Service to customers in Asia, planning to expand availability to Europe and the United States in the next calendar year.
According to Telstra, this offering will enable organisations to speed up and simplify the provisioning of telephony services and reduce deployment time, using advanced automation that integrates architecture components between Telstra and Microsoft.
"As organisations accelerate their digital transformation journey, underlying technologies like cloud and network connectivity need to work smoothly with reduced complexity," says Telstra executive of fixed connectivity products, Sanjay Nayak.
"Microsoft Azure Peering Service provides direct access between Telstra and Microsoft's networks - providing users with robust connectivity services at locations nearest to them, thereby reducing latency when accessing Microsoft's workplace services.
"By leveraging Telstra's connectivity and professional services capabilities and Microsoft's focus on intelligent cloud services, we aim to help organisations across the region and globally enable a modern work experience," he says.
Microsoft modern workplace strategy and GTM lead, Taimoor Husain, says Telstra has been a long-standing partner with Microsoft since 2008.
"With internet traffic growing at an exponential rate, coverage has become critical for effective virtual collaboration," he says. "We look forward to tapping the breadth of Telstra's network to build the modern workplace and enable more seamless collaboration for organisations."
Telstra has been recognised for its Microsoft Azure expertise and is a Microsoft Gold Partner in ten categories, including Cloud Platform, Cloud Productivity and Communications. It is also a member of the Azure Expert MSP Program.
