AFR-IX Telecom Partners with Etihad Salam to Integrate Medusa Subsea Cable into Saudi Network

Strategic Connectivity Partnership Announced

AFR-IX Telecom, the company behind the pan-European Medusa subsea cable system, has signed a significant connectivity agreement with Saudi telecommunications provider Etihad Salam, according to reports from both companies. The partnership establishes Salam as the primary landing and interconnection hub for the Medusa system within Saudi Arabia through Aqaba, Jordan.

Strategic Connectivity Partnership Announced
Expanding Network Infrastructure
Positioning Saudi Arabia as Regional Hub
Medusa Cable System Overview
Enhanced Global Connectivity
Salam’s Infrastructure Expansion
Project Timeline and Future Developments

Expanding Network Infrastructure

Under the agreement, sources indicate that Etihad Salam will deliver terrestrial backhaul services and capacity to incorporate Medusa’s network into Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The report states that Salam operates a substantial 17,000-kilometer fiber network across Saudi Arabia, having been founded in 2005 as Integrated Telecom Company (ITC) before rebranding.

Positioning Saudi Arabia as Regional Hub

Analysts suggest this partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader digital transformation goals. Amjad Arab, chief wholesale and alliances officer at Etihad Salam, commented in the announcement: “Our partnership with Medusa underscores Salam’s commitment to positioning Saudi Arabia as a central hub for regional connectivity. 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.”

Medusa Cable System Overview

The Medusa subsea cable system, first announced in 2022, reportedly features 24 fiber pairs and spans from Lisbon, Portugal, through the Mediterranean to Port Said, Egypt, and Aqaba, Jordan. The system is scheduled to land in multiple countries including Spain, France, Sicily, Greece, Cyprus, and several North African nations including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. According to recent updates, Medusa has made its first landing in Marseille, France, with additional landings in Bizerte (Tunisia) and Nador (Morocco) planned between late October and December.

Enhanced Global Connectivity

Norman Albi, CEO of AFR-IX telecom and Medusa Africa Subsea Cable System, added in the announcement: “We’re excited to collaborate with Etihad Salam, whose expertise and network complement our objective of providing secure, expansive, and high-performance connectivity from the Mediterranean outward. This partnership elevates reliability and coverage for carriers worldwide, driving forward digital advancement across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.”, according to technological advances

Salam’s Infrastructure Expansion

The report indicates that Salam, part of the Mawarid Holding conglomerate, currently operates three data center sites in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Khober near Dammam. The company also maintains cable landing stations in Jeddah and Jubail, plus a teleport in Jeddah. Additionally, sources suggest the company is involved in Damac’s plans to develop a data center in the new King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) outside Jeddah.

Project Timeline and Future Developments

The Medusa cable system is reportedly scheduled to go live in early 2026. AFR-IX has previously announced agreements to land the cable in Port-Gentil, Gabon, and has mentioned a planned landing point in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to industry reports.

This partnership represents a significant step in enhancing digital infrastructure connectivity between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, potentially transforming Saudi Arabia’s position in global telecommunications networks.

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