Kuwait's Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) inked on Monday a contract awarding Ooredoo group license to put in place the submarine cable Fibre in Gulf (FIG).
The gigantic project connects seven Arabian Gulf countries - Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, provides secure route to a new corridor to Europe.
With a capacity of 720 terabyte per second and 24 pairs of optical fibers, the FIG is one of the most advanced cables in the world and gives a quantum leap to the digital infrastructure in the Gulf region, according to a statement from CITRA.
"The project, which is expected to go operational by Q4-2027, will boost the resilience and credibility of the communication networks in the region and expand the scope of connectivity with the world in the long run," the statement quoted CITRA Acting Chairman Abdullah Al-Ajmi as saying.
"It will enhance the competitive edge of the networks amid growing demand for high speed internet, cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services," he noted. Al-Ajmi affirmed that the project will be a big stride in Kuwait's drive to become a regional hub for digital transformation, business and technology.
He added that CITRA's commitment to promoting the national infrastructure, supporting economic growth and sustainable development, and leading digital economy initiatives. On his part, regional CEO of Ooredoo for the Middle East Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Thani said the project represents a big stride in the Group's strategy for promoting the digital infrastructure and linking the national networks of the Gulf region to the outside world.
"The FIG has to do with not only the speed of the internet but the long-term investment and the future of telecommunications in the region as well," he pointed out. The project opens new horizons for innovation and more investment in hi-tech, and enables the businesses and internet providers to share data in a fast, secure and effective way, thus improving the performance of the various economic sectors, Sheikh Nasser Al Thani added.