Riyadh, November 05, 2024 — Etihad Etisalat "Mobily" and Telecom Egypt have signed a historic cooperation agreement to establish the first Saudi-owned submarine cable connecting Saudi Arabia and Egypt. This strategic project is poised to significantly enhance regional connectivity and facilitate expansion toward Europe, marking a key development in the telecommunications sector.
The new cable, which will be entirely owned and operated by Mobily, will run beneath the Red Sea, linking the two countries via two landing stations—one in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, and the other in Duba, Saudi Arabia. The cable will serve as a critical infrastructure asset, bolstering both national and international communication networks and offering a more reliable and scalable solution to meet the ever-growing demand for internet services.
This investment will expand Mobily’s existing network of submarine cable systems, strengthening its international infrastructure and positioning the company as a leader in regional and global connectivity. As internet traffic continues to rise, the new cable will help accommodate increased data flow, ensuring high-speed and low-latency connections for businesses and consumers alike.
The new cable will not only provide more reliable connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Egypt but will also create a vital link between the Arabian Gulf, neighboring countries, and the Red Sea. Through Mobily's advanced digital corridors, the cable will interconnect with several existing submarine cable systems extending toward Egypt, offering seamless global connectivity across the Middle East, Europe, and other parts of the world.
Mobily’s CEO, Salman Al-Badran, highlighted the significance of the agreement, stressing that the new cable represents a major step in reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global hub for communications and data traffic. "This development aligns perfectly with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, positioning the Kingdom at the forefront of the digital revolution," Al-Badran said. "By signing this agreement, Mobily reaffirms its commitment to expanding its infrastructure, enhancing its regional and international capabilities, and driving innovation in the Kingdom’s telecommunications sector."
In addition to its technical and operational advantages, the submarine cable will contribute to the Kingdom's broader goals of economic diversification and technological advancement. It will play a key role in strengthening Saudi Arabia’s digital economy, enabling businesses to access more efficient, high-speed communication networks and promoting greater global collaboration.
With the deployment of this state-of-the-art cable, Mobily aims to not only enhance its own service offerings but also contribute to the broader digital ecosystem of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. By improving international data flow and enabling more reliable internet services, the cable is expected to foster innovation, stimulate economic growth, and support the increasing digital needs of the region.
Ultimately, the establishment of this submarine cable underscores the Kingdom's strategic role in the global telecommunications arena. As Mobily continues to invest in advanced infrastructure projects like this one, it is helping to lay the foundation for a more interconnected, resilient, and technologically advanced future. This agreement is a clear reflection of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to building a leading-edge digital economy and realizing the ambitions outlined in Vision 2030.