Center3, a subsidiary of the stc group, in partnership with Meta, has announced the installation of the world’s longest subcable at two of the four intended landing sites in Saudi Arabia – Jeddah and Yanbu.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the “2Africa Cable” project is a part of the Africa Submarine Cables Union and aligns with the stc group’s strategy to expand and contribute to the Kingdom’s status as a global digital hub connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Read more: stc launches Saudi Vision Cable, the 1st high-capacity submarine cable in Red Sea
With a length exceeding 45,000 km, the 2Africa Cable is among the longest subcables ever launched globally. The project aims to connect 33 countries and deliver reliable internet services across three continents – Africa, Asia, and Europe by 2024.
Following its installation in Jeddah and Yanbu, the 2Africa Cable is anticipated to arrive in the northern city of Duba later this year, and reach the eastern city of Khobar in 2024.
The 2Africa subcable is expected to facilitate increased levels of information exchange and digital business development, driving the next phase of growth in many economies.
Cable Africa spans across the Arabian Gulf region via Africa Cable Extensions Pearls 2, which will include landings in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and India, as well as the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia.
The 2Africa consortium consists of Center 3 Meta, China Mobile International, MTN Global Connect, Orange, Egypt Telecom, Vodafone, and the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC).
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