Saudi Telecom Giant Salam to Power Medusa Subsea Cable’s Middle East Expansion

Salam and AFR-IX Forge Strategic Connectivity Alliance

In a significant move to bolster digital infrastructure across the Middle East and Europe, AFR-IX Telecom has entered into a strategic partnership with Saudi telecommunications provider Etihad Salam. The agreement designates Salam as the primary landing and interconnection hub in Saudi Arabia for the Medusa subsea cable system, leveraging Aqaba, Jordan as a key access point. This collaboration aims to integrate Medusa’s expansive network into Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, enhancing terrestrial backhaul services and capacity., according to industry experts

Salam and AFR-IX Forge Strategic Connectivity Alliance
Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s Digital Hub Ambitions
Medusa Cable: A Transcontinental Connectivity Backbone
AFR-IX’s Vision for Global Connectivity
Salam’s Infrastructure and Strategic Role
Implications for Regional and Global Digital Growth

Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s Digital Hub Ambitions

Amjad Arab, Chief Wholesale and Alliances Officer at Etihad Salam, emphasized the partnership’s role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s position as a central connectivity hub. “By linking the Medusa cable to our robust infrastructure, we’re creating innovative international routes that expand our worldwide presence and meet the surging needs for digital and cloud services in the Kingdom,” he stated. This initiative is expected to deliver enriched connectivity experiences, support business scalability, and foster innovation in an increasingly digital economy.

Medusa Cable: A Transcontinental Connectivity Backbone

The Medusa subsea cable system, first announced in 2022, is a 24-fiber pair network stretching from Lisbon, Portugal, through the Mediterranean, with landing points in Spain, France, Sicily, Greece, Cyprus, and multiple North African locations, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. Its route through Port Said, Egypt, and Aqaba, Jordan, positions it as a critical link between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Recent progress includes landings in Marseille, France, with additional landings planned in Bizerte (Tunisia) and Nador (Morocco) by late 2024, leading to a full operational launch in early 2026., according to technological advances

AFR-IX’s Vision for Global Connectivity

Norman Albi, CEO of AFR-IX Telecom and the Medusa Africa Submarine Cable System, highlighted the synergy with Salam’s expertise. “This partnership elevates reliability and coverage for carriers worldwide, driving forward digital advancement across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East,” he noted. AFR-IX has previously secured agreements for landing points in Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, underscoring its commitment to expanding secure, high-performance connectivity., according to further reading

Salam’s Infrastructure and Strategic Role

Founded in 2005 and operating under the Mawarid Holding conglomerate, Salam boasts a 17,000-kilometer fiber network across Saudi Arabia, with data centers in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Khober, and cable landing stations in Jeddah and Jubail. The company is also involved in Damac’s project to develop a data center in the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), further solidifying its infrastructure capabilities. For detailed network insights, refer to Salam’s network map.

Implications for Regional and Global Digital Growth

This partnership is poised to address growing demands for cloud services, IoT applications, and digital transformation initiatives in the region. By enhancing redundancy, reducing latency, and increasing bandwidth, the Medusa-Salam alliance supports economic diversification under Saudi Vision 2030 and promotes cross-continental digital collaboration. Businesses and carriers can expect improved reliability and innovative routing options, paving the way for next-generation technologies., as our earlier report, according to market developments

Summary: The AFR-IX and Salam agreement marks a pivotal step in global connectivity, leveraging Medusa’s subsea reach and Salam’s terrestrial strength to drive digital advancement across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.