Page 37 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025

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PCCW Global, ZOI, Sparkle, and Telecom Egypt to Construct AAE-2 Subsea
Cable

A consortium of four subsea cable
operators, Zain Omantel International
(ZOI), PCCW Global, Sparkle, and Telecom
Egypt, have signed a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the
construction of the Asia-Africa-Europe-2
(AAE-2) subsea cable system. This project
aims to establish a robust next-generation
subsea digital link connecting Hong Kong
and Singapore to Italy, traversing secure
and high-capacity terrestrial corridors
across Thailand, the Arabian Peninsula
and Egypt. The partners say the plan is
to strategically deliver unprecedented they suggest, AAE-2 will create a future- our expertise to AAE-2, an advanced,
capacity and foster seamless, reliable proof data highway between Asia, Africa high-capacity and geographically diverse
connectivity across the three continents. and Europe. Building on the legacy of subsea cable system connecting Asia and
AAE-2 will also feature as yet unspecified the AAE-1 cable, a 25,000-kilometer Europe.” Enrico Bagnasco, Chief Executive
strategic extensions to additional key submarine cable from South East Asia Officer of Sparkle, says: “The AAE-2 cable
destinations across its route, further to Europe across Egypt, launched in June system is an innovative project perfectly
enhancing intercontinental connectivity 2017. AAE-2 will incorporate the most in line with Sparkle’s long-term strategy to
and supporting the growing demands advanced technological innovations strengthen the Asia-Africa-Europe corridor
of cloud services, content delivery and offering unprecedented bandwidth by enhancing route diversity and ensuring
digital transformation initiatives across the capacity to serve the tremendous traffic the highest levels of network resilience."
regions. This ambitious initiative, say the needs and empowering communities Mohamed Nasr, Managing Director
partners, is designed to revolutionize global and businesses across Asia, Africa and and Chief Executive Officer of Telecom
connectivity by delivering a geographical Europe. Frederick Chui, Chief Executive Egypt, adds: "AAE-2 will also benefit from
diverse, resilient, and high-performance Officer of PCCW Global, says: “Following accessing and cross-connecting with the
route for international traffic. By integrating our instrumental role in the success of other subsea cables using our WeConnect
both subsea and terrestrial infrastructure, the AAE-1 system, we are pleased to bring ecosystem."

AT&T and AST SpaceMobile Complete First VoLTE
Call and SMS Over Satellite

AT&T and AST SpaceMobile achieved a major milestone in the
race to bring satellite connectivity to everyday mobile users.
The companies successfully completed the first-ever native
voice call (VoLTE) and text message (SMS) over AST’s Block
1 satellites, using a standard, unmodified cell phone operating
on AT&T spectrum and passing through AT&T’s core network.
Unlike previous demonstrations relying on bespoke hardware or
workarounds, this call and text used AT&T’s existing commercial
infrastructure and spectrum — marking a critical step forward in
expanding mobile coverage to remote and underserved areas via
direct-to-device (D2D) satellite service. In May 2024, the companies
signed a definitive commercial agreement to offer direct-to-
device satellite service through 2030. As part of the deal, AT&T country.” AST’s first five commercial satellites — dubbed BlueBirds
Head of Network Chris Sambar joined AST’s board of directors. — were launched in September 2024 from Cape Canaveral Space
The companies called the collaboration “one giant leap towards Force Station in Florida, which enabled the start of commercial
enhanced connectivity for consumers and businesses across the D2D service in the U.S.

37 JUNE-JULY 2025