Gulf Region Franchise Large-Diameter 6-Core Fiber Optic Cable

The Fibre in Gulf (FIG) submarine cable is a high-capacity, 24-fiber-pair system connecting seven GCC countries with up to 720 Tbps capacity, designed to enhance regional and international connectivity.

Overview

The Fibre in Gulf (FIG) project is a major submarine cable initiative led by Ooredoo Group in partnership with Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN). It connects Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq, providing a low-latency, secure, and high-speed corridor between the Gulf region and Europe . The system is designed to support hyperscalers, AI providers, data centers, telecom operators, governments, and business customers .

Technical Specifications

• Fiber Pairs: 24
• Total Capacity: Up to 720 Tbps
• Cable Type: Large-diameter, multi-core fiber optic (6-core per fiber design is implied in high-capacity systems)
• Route: Looped network covering approximately 2,000 km, providing redundancy and resilience
• Latency: Optimized for low-latency connections to Europe
• Security: Enhanced protection against disruptions and physical damage

Strategic Significance

The FIG cable is a game-changing infrastructure for the Gulf region, enabling:

• Accelerated digital transformation through cloud services, big data, and AI applications
• Enhanced network reliability and security for critical communications
• Support for hyperscalers and data centers with high-capacity, low-latency connectivity
• Expansion of regional interconnectivity, positioning the Gulf as a pivotal hub for global data exchange

Project Timeline and Partners

• Developer: Ooredoo Group
• Supplier and Installer: Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN)
• Expected Completion: 2027
• Additional Initiatives: Ooredoo Oman is also landing the 2Africa cable system in Barka and Salalah, complementing FIG's connectivity

Benefits for Users

• Telecom Operators: Improved backbone capacity and redundancy
• AI Providers and Hyperscalers: High-speed, low-latency access to Europe and Asia
• Governments and Enterprises: Secure, reliable data transmission for critical applications
• Data Centers: Enhanced interconnectivity and support for cloud and GPU-based computing workloads The Fibre in Gulf (FIG) cable represents a strategic investment in the Gulf's digital infrastructure, ensuring long-term scalability, resilience, and leadership in regional and international connectivity.