Ooredoo Group has signed a historic agreement with Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), a leading French company in the manufacture and installation of submarine cables, to build a new submarine cable connecting seven countries in the region.
The Fibre in Gulf (FIG) project will offer countries including Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq a high-performance, low-latency, and secure route through a new corridor that links Europe. This corridor will feature up to 24 fiber pairs, with a total capacity of up to 720Tbps.
This advanced infrastructure will deliver exceptional connectivity benefits to hyperscalers, business customers, governments, AI providers, data centers, and telecom operators, by enhancing network reliability and security, as well as significantly enhancing connection speeds.
“This historic project aligns with Ooredoo’s ambitious strategy to lead in digital infrastructure by expanding network capacity and interconnectivity across the GCC and beyond. We will deliver cutting-edge technologies to the region while ensuring sustainable growth for our investors through long-term revenue from rising data demand and market leadership in digital infrastructure. This initiative positions Ooredoo as a key player in addressing the rapidly growing data demand between Asia and Europe.”
Alain Biston, CEO of ASN, said that, “We are honored to partner with Ooredoo on the Fibre in Gulf (FIG) submarine cable project, a game-changing initiative that will mark a turning point in regional connectivity across the GCC.”
“Leveraging ASN’s cutting-edge technologies and operational excellence, this state-of-the-art infrastructure will reliably deliver exceptional capacity and connectivity, empowering the region’s digital transformation ambitions and establishing it as a pivotal hub for global data exchange,” Biston added.
The region’s digital industry is set to receive a significant boost from Ooredoo’s investment, which will support the growth of cloud services, big data initiatives, and the acceleration of digital transformation across the region.
Najib Khan, Group Chief Business Services Officer of Ooredoo, noted that, “We are excited to launch this strategic project, which features state-of-the-art technologies deployed for the first time in the region. This will provide substantial benefits to hyperscalers, business customers, governments, and AI application providers. It reflects our commitment to becoming the leading digital infrastructure provider in the region, delivering innovative business services and driving regional growth.”
