07 January 2019

Telecom Egypt has agreed to grant Airtel indefeasible rights of use on its Middle East North Africa (MENA) and TE North cable systems. 

Over the years, Telecom Egypt has built a global network through investments in international submarine cables which, as well as the systems named above, also include: ALETAR, SEA-ME-WE-3, SEA-ME-WE-4, SEA-ME-WE-5, IMEWE and EIG.

Egypt’s location on the Red and Mediterranean seas is said to have enabled Telecom Egypt to connect more than 11 systems from the east and 13 from the west.

This has led to the creation of the so-called ‘Red-Med Corridor’ which comprises seven diversified routes across Egypt.

Under its agreement with Telecom Egypt, Airtel has been given the right to use fibre pairs from the MENA Cable from Egypt to India with access to Saudi Arabia and Oman, and other fibre pairs from Egypt towards Italy.

In addition, Airtel will also take large capacities on a long-term basis on two new cable systems, SMW5 and AAE-1.

“The partnership will be a good addition to our global network portfolio and provide us with a high quality and diversified new route to Western Europe and the rest of the world,” says Airtel Business CEO Ajay Chitkara. “In particular, it will provide impetus to India’s emergence as a major regional internet hub serving customers across the [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] region, with seamless global connectivity.”