The 1,400 kilometre-long Al Khaleej subsea data cable system, which is fully owned by Batelco, will connect Bahrain to other regional countries including Oman, Qatar and the UAE. This development aims to enhance data exchange and communication capabilities within the region.
The cable will branch off from the 21,700-kilometre-long SEA-ME-WE 6 cable, currently in development to connect Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Western Europe. Batelco, through the technology-focused Beyon Group of which it is a part, is one of the major investors in the SEA-ME-WE 6 consortium.
The partnership between Batelco and e& was confirmed during Capacity Middle East, where senior executives from Batelco and e& signed the MoU.
Batelco Chief Global Business Officer Hani Askar said at the signing: "With Bahrain now directly connected to other GCC countries through this advanced infrastructure, we are ushering in a new era of seamless and efficient data exchange.”
Nabil Baccouche, Group Chief Carrier and Wholesale Officer e&, added: “The integration of the new submarine cable Al Khaleej into the UAE, extending its reach to Bahrain and the GCC, marks a ground-breaking milestone in the region’s telecommunications infrastructure. This new development enhances much needed subsea diversification of routes, paving the way for unparalleled international connectivity into the heart of the Middle East.”
The Al Khaleej Cable is expected to be in service by Q2 2026.
