(Ecofin Agency) - The demand for high-speed connectivity is accelerating worldwide. In the Middle East and North Africa region, average monthly data traffic per smartphone is expected to reach 41 Gigabytes by 2027, up from 9.1 gigabytes in 2021.

On Monday, July 3, Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), Elettra Tlc, Medusa, and Orange announced the launch of construction works for the Medusa subsea cable in the Mediterranean Sea. The infrastructure aims to establish essential connections between Morocco, Portugal, Spain, France, Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt. It is scheduled to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Elettra Tlc will immediately commence the survey operations of the seabed, while cable manufacturing and installation will take place between 2024 and 2025. This second phase will be carried out in partnership with Alcatel Submarine Networks, a subsidiary of the Finnish company Nokia. Orange will provide landing infrastructures in France, Tunisia, and Morocco. Once completed, Medusa will span over 8,700 km with a total capacity of 480 terabits.

In January 2022, AFR-IX announced its intention to invest in a submarine cable to bolster connectivity between both sides of the Mediterranean. The investment aligns with the connectivity provider's expansion effort in a context marked by rapid digital transformation and growing demand for high-speed connectivity. AFR-IX Telecom, Orange, and the European Union fund the project.

"The Medusa submarine cable system marks a major step forward in telecommunications infrastructure. ASN is honored to be at the forefront of this ambitious project, which will bring high-speed Internet connectivity and seamless communication to the region, unlocking a world of opportunities for businesses, communities and individuals throughout the Mediterranean region," stated Paul Gabla (photo, left), ASN Chief Sales and Marketing Officer.

Isaac K. Kassouwi