Latest news with #SamiSmeirat
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt, Jordan connect via Coral Bridge submarine cable after 25 years
Egypt and Jordan marked the landing of the high-capacity Coral Bridge submarine cable in Taba, the first direct submarine link between the two countries in more than 25 years, as per a statement. The ceremony was attended by Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat, Jordan's Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smeirat, and South Sinai Governor Khaled Mubarak. Spanning 15 kilometers across the Gulf of Aqaba, the cable is designed with a large number of optical fibers, enabling high-capacity international data traffic to meet rising demand from artificial intelligence (AI) applications and data centers. Its short length reduces costs and boosts the speed of international data transmission. The project was developed under a cooperation agreement signed in January 2024 between Telecom Egypt (WE) and Jordan's NaiTel, the communications arm of Aqaba Digital City. The cable is the first submarine system to be landed in Taba, part of Telecom Egypt's newly established digital infrastructure in Sinai. It will soon extend to Aqaba at the Aqaba Digital City Global Data Center, ensuring service continuity through alternative routes and backup connections for companies and cloud service providers hosted there. Egyptian Minister Talaat said the Coral Bridge cable is a significant addition to Egypt's submarine network and a step in diversifying international infrastructure by creating new landing points and routes across the Sinai Peninsula. He stressed that Egypt's strategy is to strengthen its role as a major transit point for global data traffic, noting that more than 90% of internet traffic between East and West passes through the country via 15 submarine cables and 11 landing points. Jordanian Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Smeirat described Coral Bridge as a digital gateway for Jordan and a practical outcome of the two countries' political and economic cooperation. He noted that the project follows the recent 33rd session of the Egyptian-Jordanian Higher Committee in Amman and will help position Egypt and Jordan as regional and global hubs for data transfer. He added that Jordan seeks to maximize digital gateways and expressed hopes for further collaboration, inviting Talaat to visit Amman for continued discussions. South Sinai Governor Mubarak said the cable strengthens ties between Taba and Aqaba, supporting cooperation in digital communication as well as tourism and sports projects. He also highlighted the internet's role in promoting South Sinai's tourism sector. © 2025 All Rights Reserved Arab Finance For Information Technology Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Daily News Egypt
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt lands Coral Bridge submarine cable, establishing first direct digital link with Jordan in 25 years
Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat met on Saturday with Jordan's Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smeirat and South Sinai Governor Khaled Mubarak, via video conference, to witness the landing of the high-capacity Coral Bridge submarine cable system in Taba, Egypt. The Coral Bridge is the first direct submarine cable connecting Egypt and Jordan in more than 25 years, providing a high-speed link supported by a large number of optical fiber strands running through the Gulf of Aqaba. Officials described the project as a pivotal step in strengthening digital infrastructure across the Middle East. It also marks the first submarine communications system to be landed at the Taba landing station, one of several new digital infrastructure points developed by Telecom Egypt in the Sinai Peninsula. In the coming days, the cable will also be landed in Aqaba, Jordan, at the Global Aqaba Digital City Data Center. Once operational, it will ensure service continuity by providing alternative routes and backup connectivity for major corporations and cloud service providers hosted at the data centre. Spanning 15 kilometres, the system is designed with high-capacity optical fibres to accommodate the rapid growth of international data traffic, particularly from artificial intelligence applications and data centres. Its short length enhances transmission speed and reduces costs, further boosting competitiveness. Minister Talaat described Coral Bridge as a significant addition to the network of Arab submarine cables, underscoring its importance for Egypt-Jordan cooperation in the ICT sector. He noted that it is the first submarine system to be landed in Sinai, part of a wider strategy to diversify Egypt's international infrastructure by building new landing stations and terrestrial routes linking the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. He highlighted ongoing plans to expand Egypt's submarine cable network in Sinai, providing closer access points for neighbouring countries, improving regional connectivity, and increasing the efficiency of global data transmission. More than 90% of internet traffic between East and West currently passes through Egypt, which today hosts 15 submarine cable systems with around 11 landing stations. Jordan's Minister Sami Smeirat said the project is a practical embodiment of Egyptian-Jordanian cooperation, following the 33rd session of the Egyptian-Jordanian Higher Committee held last week in Amman. He emphasised that Coral Bridge will serve as a new digital gateway for Jordan, helping position both countries as regional—and even global—hubs for data transmission. He also extended an invitation to Talaat to visit Jordan for further discussions on deepening ICT collaboration. Developed according to the highest technical and environmental standards, the Coral Bridge was launched under a January 2024 cooperation agreement between Telecom Egypt and Jordan's Naitel, the telecom arm of Aqaba Digital City. The project reflects the growing importance of cross-border digital partnerships in driving sustainable growth, enhancing regional connectivity, and paving the way for future infrastructure projects across the Middle East and beyond.
Ammon
28-06-2025
- Business
- Ammon
Digital Economy Ministry operates smart gates at QAIA soon
Ammon News - The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship announced that smart gates at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA)will soon be operational, in a move aimed at providing a smoother, faster, and smarter travel experience. In a post on X, the ministry indicated that the next phase will witness the official launch of the service, adding that: "Coming soon to Queen Alia International Airport... an easier, faster, and smarter travel experience. Get ready to embark through the smart gates." This announcement complements previous statements made by Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Sami Smeirat, in May, in which he confirmed that five smart gates for arrivals and four gates for departures had been installed at Queen Alia International Airport, and that these gates were in the trial phase. Smeirat noted that the gates are scheduled to begin operating at the end of June, and will be dedicated in their first phase to Jordanian citizens only, both arriving and departing, in a move aimed at expediting procedures and improving the travel experience through the latest digital solutions.
Ammon
17-06-2025
- Business
- Ammon
Gov't launches "Tawasal" portal to enhance public participation in decision-making
Ammon News - The Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship on Tuesday launched the Tawasal (Communication) portal, a unified digital platform designed to promote e-participation and strengthen citizen engagement in government decision-making. According to the Ministry's statement, the interactive platform enables citizens and stakeholders to express their opinions on legislation, public policies, and government projects. Linked to the Sanad application, the portal offers a secure and unified login, allowing users to participate in surveys, review draft legislation, submit feedback, and monitor consultation outcomes transparently. The platform is also integrated with the "At Your Service" channel to receive complaints and suggestions, enhancing direct communication between the public and government institutions. Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Sami Smeirat, described the launch as a strategic step toward building a participatory governance model. He emphasized that the platform's user-friendly interface and connection to the Sanad app allow for greater inclusivity and ease of access. He encouraged citizens and residents to actively contribute ideas and opinions to help shape responsive public policies.
Zawya
05-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan, Syria agree on mechanism to boost cooperation in ICT sector
AMMAN — Jordan and Syria on Monday agreed to boost cooperation in the ICT sector, following discussions held virtually between Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Smeirat and Syria's Minister of Communications and Technology Abdul Salam Haykal. Discussions during the meeting centred on efforts to activate a regional fibre-optic corridor, explore alternative routes for internet and telecom services, and position Jordan as a strategic transit hub for data traffic with a potential capacity of up to 100 terabytes, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The initiative would involve linking Syrian and Jordanian fibre-optic networks to enhance service sustainability and regional connectivity. The two sides expressed shared interest in making Jordan a 'critical' passage for Internet traffic transiting through Syrian territory to southern destinations, underscoring the strategic role of infrastructure cooperation in broader regional development. As part of their plan to foster closer cooperation, the two ministers agreed to organise a technical forum in Damascus at the earliest opportunity. The event would bring together private-sector companies from both countries working in telecommunications, digital infrastructure, and IT services to create new channels for business partnerships and investment. Smeirat is expected to head the Jordanian delegation to the forum, which would include representatives from key Jordanian companies specialising in fibre-optic systems, digital platforms, and infrastructure development. During the meeting, Smeirat reiterated Jordan's readiness to support the growth of Syria's ICT sector by offering technical expertise and encouraging the involvement of Jordanian firms in future projects. The ministers also agreed to maintain close coordination through the recently established Higher Coordination Council, formalised by a memorandum of understanding signed in Damascus on May 20.
