Telecom Egypt, one of the largest subsea cables operators in its region, and 4iG, a Budapest-based telecommunications and IT group, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to link Egypt and Albania via a point-to-point high-capacity subsea cable.
With an open access model and multiple branching units, the system is set up, the partners say, to be a new European cable entry point with a different transit passage from the already existing Mediterranean routes to the main internet point of presence.
The two companies say they aim to gain a significant share of the huge and rapidly growing market for data traffic between Europe and Asia, and also between Europe and East Africa.
In addition, the agreement enables 4iG Group to enter as a new player in the market for intercontinental data transmission infrastructure between Europe and Asia, and Europe and East Africa.
Albania’s strategic location, the partners explain, makes it a prominent gateway and entry point to Eastern Europe. Backed with a secured cross-border terrestrial infrastructure, it will facilitate onward connectivity and access to various key destinations.
Mohamed Nasr, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Telecom Egypt, says: “We are pleased to cooperate with 4iG, which sets the ground for adding a brand new diverse entry point to Europe, facilitating the routing of the African and Asian traffic to the main points of presence in Europe. This goes in line with Telecom Egypt’s strategy to diversify the Mediterranean basin crossing options through open and resilient routes from Egypt to Europe to increase our partners’ connectivity options.”
The subsea cable system will be leveraging the newly launched open and neutral ecosystem WeConnect as an enabler, ensuring seamless cross-connection with multiple subsea systems and offering customers robust connectivity solutions and access to Egypt’s rich infrastructure.
