- The new system enhances the Kingdom's connectivity with different regions across the Middle East, Africa and Europe
Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) announced joining the new Africa-1 cable system consortium, which will enhance Saudi Arabia’s connectivity with various locations across the Middle East, Africa and Europe through advanced connection capacities, new routes integrated with Mobily’s national networks across the Kingdom, and border interconnection points with telecommunication networks in neighboring countries.
The new consortium consists of Mobily (KSA), Etisalat and G42 (UAE), Pakistan Telecommunication Company, Telecom Egypt, Zain (Sudan), and Algeria Telecommunications Corporation (Algérie Télécom), in addition to other global service providers.
By joining the Africa-1 consortium, Mobily plays a pivotal role in enhancing KSA's digital infrastructure, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to provide a faster and more reliable internet connection. This step will also enable stronger telecommunication services to meet the needs of Mobily customers across both public and private sectors along their journey of digital transformation.
Thamer A. AlFadda, Senior Vice President Wholesale & Carrier Services, said: “Mobily affirms its commitment to supporting digital transformation programs and working diligently to achieve the goals and mission of the Saudi Vision 2030. We join the Africa-1 consortium with an eye to creating a positive impact on various sectors by adding a new line to the global telecommunications network through the Kingdom. This will enhance the resources available to our various clients locally and regionally by providing a direct connection to global strategic locations.”
The new sub-sea cable system will feature advanced technologies that takes the KSA’s telecommunication network to a new level of high performance, while users can benefit from improved services. The cable system will be landing in a new strategic landing station in Duba, northwest of Saudi Arabia. The project is expected to be ready for service by the end of 2024.
The 10,000 km sub-sea cable will initially have landings in the KSA, UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, France, Pakistan, Kenya, and Djibouti. The following phase will include additional landings in Yemen, Somalia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. The system will be equipped with ASN 1620 Softnode transmission equipment, featuring high-performance 200/300/400 Gb/s advanced coherent XWAV line cards.
This project is the latest in a series of initiatives by Mobily to improve the customer experience through new and advanced technologies. Moreover, Mobily continues to support digital transformation by providing high-quality and more reliable internet speeds that meet international standards, in addition to activating its strategy, enhancing its distinguished infrastructure capabilities, increasing its diversity, emphasizing its flexibility, and making it the operator of choice among clients.
Source: Mobily Press Release