Ooredoo $500 million investment will drive new international cable projects to enhance connectivity and global network resilience. The Qatari telecom company plans to invest over half a billion dollars in projects that redraw connection routes between Oman, Iraq, Turkey, and Europe, leveraging land routes that reduce latency by half. This ambitious initiative aims to position the Middle East at the center of the international data network.
Strategic Cable Project Routes
The projects target creating alternative routes that bypass challenges in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, which have recently experienced disruptions affecting internet connectivity and shipping navigation systems. Ooredoo’s CEO, Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, highlighted the strategic importance of these new routes in enhancing flexibility and security for global networks. Faster connection times and greater reliability are key goals, with data transfer speeds enabling direct connection from Qatar to Marseille in under 60 milliseconds.
Digital Infrastructure and Regulatory Environment
Ooredoo’s investment emphasizes integrated digital infrastructure development, including energy, security, data sovereignty, and environmental considerations. Fakhroo stressed that regulatory agility is crucial for digital growth, warning that slow regulatory approvals can hinder countries from competing effectively in the global digital economy. The investment also includes efforts to promote infrastructure sharing among operators, a move expected to reduce costs and improve service quality.
Security and Resilience Features
The new cable systems are designed with advanced security features, including subsea burial of cables to protect against physical and electronic interference. This builds resilience against regional geopolitical tensions and cyber threats, ensuring uninterrupted data flow across key international routes. Ooredoo operates widely across the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia, and this significant investment aligns with its strategy to lead digital infrastructure growth.
Advanced Technical Capacity
The projects include the Fibre in Gulf (FIG) initiative, a major subsea cable connecting seven GCC countries. FIG offers 24 fiber pairs with a capacity of up to 720 Tbps, supporting secure, high-speed data transmission between the GCC and Europe. The system’s cutting-edge design supports hyperscalers, data centers, AI providers, and telecom operators by enhancing network reliability and reducing latency. Key milestones achieved include landing agreements in Kuwait and Iraq, turning these countries into digital transit hubs.
Global Telecommunications Hub
Overall, Ooredoo $500 million investment positions the company and the region as essential hubs in global telecommunications, addressing emerging challenges and meeting rising data demand between Asia and Europe through cutting-edge cable technology and strategic route planning.​
