This development aims to enhance data exchange and communication capabilities within the region.
Batelco, a prominent player in the telecommunications industry and part of the Beyon Group, has joined forces with e&. The collaboration was solidified through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the landing of the Al Khaleej Cable in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Al Khaleej Cable, spanning 1,400 km and fully owned by Batelco, will establish vital connections between Bahrain and neighbouring countries such as Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. This development is poised to significantly enhance communication networks within the region, fostering seamless data exchange.
A key component of Al Khaleej Cable’s infrastructure is its integration with the SEA-ME-WE 6 cable project, a 21,700-km-long system in development to link Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe. Batelco, through its involvement with the Beyon Group, stands as one of the major investors in the SEA-ME-WE 6 consortium, further reinforcing its commitment to advancing connectivity on a global scale.
The partnership between Batelco and e& was formally announced during Capacity Middle East, where Batelco’s Chief Global Business Officer, Hani Askar, and e&’s Chief Carrier and Wholesale Officer, Nabil Baccouche, sealed the agreement with the signing of the MoU.
Commenting on the landmark agreement, Batelco Chief Global Business Officer Hani Askar said: “We are proud to announce signing with e& to land the Al Khaleej Cable in the UAE, marking a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity across the GCC region. As the exclusive owner of this state-of-the-art Al Khaleej cable system, we are committed to providing unparalleled connectivity and a digital superhighway that will transform communication within the region. With Bahrain now directly connected to other GCC countries through this advanced infrastructure, we are ushering in a new era of seamless and efficient data exchange. This achievement reinforces our dedication to delivering cutting-edge connectivity solutions and strengthens our position as a leader in the telecommunications industry.”
“Through our active participation in the SEA-ME-WE 6 and Al Khaleej Cable systems, alongside our existing international infrastructure and strategic partnerships with industry leaders like e&, we are revolutionising the diversity, resilience, and latency of our network systems. This positions us at the forefront of connectivity innovation, empowering businesses and individuals with unparalleled speed, reliability, and seamless communication capabilities,” Askar added.
Nabil Baccouche, Group Chief Carrier and Wholesale Officer e&, commented: “We are extremely delighted to cooperate with Batelco as the exclusive landing party for the Al Khaleej cable in the UAE. Our expertise over the past decades in landing over 20 submarine cables will certainly provide timely deployment of world-class infrastructure as part of this strategic partnership.”
“The integration of the new submarine cable Al Khaleej into the UAE extending its reach to Bahrain and the GCC marks a ground-breaking milestone in the regions telecommunications infrastructure. This new development enhances much-needed subsea diversification of routes, paving the way for unparalleled international connectivity into the heart of the Middle East,” Baccouche noted.
The Al Khaleej Cable, expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2026, represents a significant milestone in the region’s telecommunications infrastructure.
