Mobily, a technology, media, and telecommunications business in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Telecom Egypt have inked an agreement to build the first Saudi undersea cable connecting Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

According to Telecom Egypt, the new cable, which is completely owned by Mobily, would cross the Red Sea, connecting Saudi Arabia and Egypt and paving the way for expansion and access to Europe via various connectivity options.

The new subsea cable, according to the telco, strengthens the company's network of subsea cable systems alongside its extensive international infrastructure to provide more dependable connectivity, handle increasing telecom traffic, and satisfy the growing demand for internet services both locally and globally.

The new cable will land at two cable landing stations along the Red Sea: Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt and Duba in Saudi Arabia.

“This cable will enable Mobily to connect the Arabian Gulf and Saudi Arabia’s neighboring countries to the Egyptian landing station in the Red Sea through Mobily’s digital corridors. Additionally, the cable will provide connections to various subsea cable systems landing in Egypt,” Telecom Egypt said in a statement.

It added: “This agreement is part of Mobily's strategy to expand its extensive infrastructure and network. The new cable builds on the company's previous investments in subsea cables, which link it to various regions around the world, further enhancing Mobily's international capacity.”

Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Badran, CEO of Mobily, commented: “The signing of the agreement underscores our commitment to expanding our infrastructure and enhancing our capabilities both regionally and internationally, as Mobily's new cable will connect Saudi Arabia to Egypt and improve communication flexibility between the Middle East and Europe.”

For Mohamed Nasr, managing director and CEO of Telecom Egypt, the deal is a big step forward in his company's relationship with Mobily, furthering their ambitious objectives and connecting major regional hubs such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

He went on to say: “We are confident that this commercial agreement will be a valuable addition to our ongoing efforts to support this critical sector and cater to the rising demand for capacity and connectivity.”