MoU signed to establish submarine cable linking Egypt, Albania

CAIRO - 4 October 2023: Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr. Amr Talaat witnessed the signing of a memorandum to cooperate in establishing a high-capacity submarine fiber optic cable to connect Egypt and Albania directly and from there to eastern and central Europe. 

 

The memo was signed between Telecom Egypt, one of the largest submarine cable operators in the region, and the Hungarian 4iG Group, a leading company in the field of communications and information technology in Hungary and the Western Balkans. 

 

The cable project will have branches ready to connect other points along the route. The cable to be constructed represents a new international traffic entrance to the continent of Europe in Albania, and adds a new and multiple path to traffic between Egypt and Europe. It represents a qualitative addition to the current paths in the Mediterranean, and connects the main communication points in Europe, such as: Budapest, Vienna, and Frankfurt, in addition to many potential communication points in the eastern region of Europe.

 

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Eng. Mohamed Nasr, Managing Director and CEO of Telecom Egypt, and Gelert Yasay, Chairman of the Board of Directors of 4iG Company and Group, in Cairo. The signing ceremony was attended by András Kovac, Hungarian Ambassador to Cairo, and a number of leaders from both the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Egyptian Telecom Company.

 

Minister Amr Talaat confirmed that the memorandum of understanding aims to cooperate between Egypt and Hungary in order to enhance means of connectivity through submarine cable systems by establishing a submarine cable between Egypt and Albania.

 

He explained that the most important feature of this cooperation is that it comes within the framework of working to implement a strategy targeting the Eastern European region in order to enhance business continuity and future expansions.

 

He further pointed out the state’s keenness to expand its international digital infrastructure, especially since more than 90% of the volume of data transferred between the East and the West passes through Egypt due to its distinguished geographical location. He added that projects are currently being implemented to increase international submarine cables.

 

There are 14 international submarine cables in Egypt; Work is underway to establish five new international submarine cables through international alliances.

 

On his part; András Kovac, the Hungarian ambassador to Cairo, explained that this cooperation enjoys strong support from Hungary. He pointed out that there is strong strategic cooperation between Egypt and Hungary at the political level and in specialized fields.  

 

Engineer Mohamed Nasr, Managing Director and CEO of Telecom Egypt, said: “Cooperation with 4iG is a step that will pave the way for adding a new focal point and entrance to the European continent in Albania, to add flexibility and direct traffic from the continents of Africa and Asia to the main telecommunications traffic concentration points in the East.”

 

Gelert Yasay, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 4iG Company, commented: “The signing of the memorandum of understanding with the Egyptian Telecom Company represents a turning point in the history of the 4iG Group, as it is the first step in its entry into a new strategic field of work, which is the international market for communications infrastructure services.  

 

Through this memorandum, the two parties aim to obtain a large share of the huge and growing data market between Europe and Asia, as well as between Europe and eastern and southern Africa. This agreement helps the 4iG Group enter the data transfer infrastructure market across continents, between Europe, Asia and East Africa.

 

Albania is distinguished by its distinguished strategic location as one of the entry gates to Eastern European countries. It also enjoys a network of safe cross-border land routes that help support direct communication with various main destinations.

 

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