DUBAI - China Mobile International Limited (CMI) will join the SmartHub Data Center of Etisalat multinational telecom operator based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to improve CMI's expansion in the Middle East region, state-run WAM news agency reported on Wednesday.

Through the deal, CMI will have presence in the Middle East to support its global infrastructure, interconnections, capacity and expand its reach into the Middle East and Africa, according to the report.

"We are delighted to have China Mobile International join Etisalat's SmartHub as a member of our growing SmartHub community," said Ali Amiri, group chief carrier and wholesale officer at Etisalat.

He added that Etisalat's SmartHub successfully proved its capability in providing consistency and best-in-class connectivity in the region.

The data center co-location partnership agreement will enable CMI to further support the global telecom infrastructure requirements of its existing customers and to tap new markets with its specialized telecom services and solutions.

"CMI's decision to join Etisalat's Smarthub community will enable the company to cater to global connectivity requirements of their end customer and also extend their core infrastructure in the Middle East," Amiri said.