Iraq boosts global data access with Fibre in Gulf subsea cable
The Landing Party Agreement will enable the installation of the Fibre in Gulf (FIG) subsea cable in Iraq, significantly enhancing the nation's digital infrastructure.
The FIG subsea cable is set to provide a high-capacity, low-latency connection that caters to the growing demands of enterprises, hyperscalers, data centers, and telecom operators. The FIG cable is anticipated to be finished by 2027.
In order to provide low-latency services for hyperscalers, enterprises, data centers, and telecom operators, a 2,000-kilometer cable with 24 pairs of optical fiber is planned to link Iraq with Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
As Iraq continues to strengthen its digital capabilities, this initiative marks a major milestone in its efforts to become a regional data hub.
'This agreement is another step forward in the rollout of FIG, advancing Iraq's digital infrastructure and enhancing its role in global data connectivity,' said Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Bin Nasser Al Thani, Group Regional CEO – Middle East, Ooredoo. 'The initiative will be crucial in speeding up economic diversification and digital transformation, opening up new doors for Iraq's varied industries and enterprises.'
Echoing this sentiment, Hayam Al Yasiri, the Iraqi Minister of Communications, emphasized the national importance of the partnership. 'Iraq's strategic location makes it an ideal hub for regional and international data traffic, and the landing of the FIG cable system marks a major step toward realizing a more connected future.'
'This initiative strengthens Iraq's role as a key transit point for global data while accelerating advancements in hyperscaler expansions, AI, Cloud, and IoT,' added Al Yasiri.
With the deployment of the FIG subsea cable, Iraq is poised to play a transformative role in global digital connectivity, reinforcing its status as a vital link between Asia and Europe while paving the way for technological growth and economic development.
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