Gulf Region Invests in Underwater Cable Infrastructure to Boost Data Connectivity

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are investing significantly in new terrestrial cable systems to enhance data connectivity and alleviate the strain on underwater cables in the Red Sea. Ooredoo, a Qatar-based communications company, plans to spend five hundred million dollars on these new fiber optic cable systems in the coming years.

The cables will connect the Arabian Peninsula to Europe, starting in Oman, passing through Iraq and Turkey, and finally reaching France. According to QNA, there are also discussions between Syria and Saudi Arabia to create a similar data cable system extending from Saudi Arabia to Europe.

Ayad Al-Ani, a professor of Change Management and Consulting in Berlin, noted that this initiative indicates both Iraq and Syria could be considered safe transit countries for investment, which could integrate them into the international data communication system and stimulate their economic development.

Ooredoo's CEO, Aziz Al Uthman Fakhroo, highlighted that these systems aim to strengthen the resilience of global networks and create alternative routes that bypass current challenges in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, both considered risky by network operators due to geopolitical tensions.

The Strait of Hormuz, separating Iran from the Arabian Peninsula, has been a flashpoint for conflicts, while the Red Sea hosts significant maritime traffic, with twenty-two thousand ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait annually.

HGC Global Communications reports that eighty percent of data traffic between Asia, Africa, and Europe relies on the fifteen intercontinental undersea cables in the region. Past incidents have demonstrated the vulnerability of these cables, including damage during the 2008 outages, which temporarily cut off seventy percent of Egypt's internet connectivity.

In light of recent Houthi attacks on shipping routes and cable systems in the Red Sea, which reportedly affected a quarter of data traffic, the new terrestrial systems aim to mitigate such disruptions.

Aziz Al Uthman Fakhroo stated that cross-border cooperation is essential for the Middle East to maintain its position as a global logistical and digital hub. Qatar is also expanding its telecommunications sector through the merger of Qatar National Broadband Network and Gulf Bridge International, creating a carrier-neutral digital and AI infrastructure leader.

Ayad Al-Ani emphasized that this infrastructure is crucial for fostering a successful digital economy, especially as Qatar aims to attract innovative AI companies and leverage its abundant solar energy for data centers.

This development aligns with the region's efforts to transition toward a post-fossil fuel economy, utilizing its resources efficiently in the energy-intensive telecommunications industry.