Tribune News Network
Doha/Kuwait City
Ooredoo Group has signed an Administrative License Agreement with the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) to land the Fibre in the Gulf (FIG) submarine cable in Kuwait, securing the project’s first landing point and reinforcing the country’s role as a key transit hub for global data traffic.
With 16 fibre pairs and a capacity of up to 480 Tbps, FIG will create a high-capacity, fully integrated subsea network connecting all GCC countries and beyond. The cable will significantly enhance regional and global connectivity, supporting the growing demand for cloud services, AI, big data, and digital transformation.
The FIG cable is set to be ready for service in Q4 2027, strengthening Kuwait’s digital infrastructure and accelerating its position in the global connectivity landscape.
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Thani, group regional CEO – Middle East, said: “This historic project aligns with Ooredoo’s ambitious strategy to lead in digital infrastructure by expanding network capacity and interconnectivity across the GCC and beyond. By delivering cutting-edge technologies to the region, we are positioning Ooredoo as a key player in meeting the rapidly growing data demand between Asia and Europe.”
The agreement represents a strategic expansion of Ooredoo’s digital infrastructure, positioning the company as a key technology enabler beyond traditional connectivity.
CITRA’s Director General, Abdullah K. Alajmi, highlighted the national significance of the partnership, stating: “This agreement is a major step towards Kuwait’s vision of becoming a regional leader in digital transformation. By bringing the FIG submarine cable to Kuwait, we are strengthening the country’s position as a critical node for global data transit while ensuring that businesses and consumers benefit from enhanced network reliability, faster internet speeds, and a future-ready digital infrastructure.”
The Fibre in the Gulf project, developed in partnership with Alcatel Submarine Networks, will be the largest subsea cable ever built in the GCC, delivering an unprecedented up to720Tbps of capacity across 24 fibre pairs - exceeding the combined capacity of all existing and planned Gulf cables.
As the FIG project moves forward, it will bring major benefits to businesses, hyperscalers, data centres, and telecom operators by enhancing network resilience, reducing latency, and improving digital capabilities.
Najib Khan, group chief business services officer, concluded: “As we expand our investments in subsea cable systems, the landing of the FIG cable in Kuwait marks a major milestone in our mission to build world-class digital infrastructure. “This project strengthens regional interconnectivity and creates new opportunities for businesses by delivering faster, more reliable, and scalable connectivity to power AI, cloud, and big data applications.”Milestone agreement boosts Kuwait’s position as a strategic digital hub, enhances regional connectivity
