Named the Alasia cable, the system will be connected with Cyta’s existing Alexandros network and provide connectivity to several European PoPs, with additional connectivity worldwide. The new cable will also complement the Cyta-owned Ugarit cable system that has recently been upgraded to form a ring system with two other cable systems in the region, named Berytar and Cadmos that connect Syria with Lebanon and Lebanon with Cyrus respectively.
In a joint statement, the companies said the Alasia cable system will have a design capacity of 25.6Tbps, with eight fibre pairs and should be fully operational by the end of next year.
“The agreement for Alasia fosters a new partnership between Cyta and STE that will enhance the strategic role of Cyprus through Cyta, as a major cable hub in the eastern Mediterranean,” said Photis Savvides, CEO at Cyta. “This also provides Cyta, STE and other minority co-owners with business opportunities to access new markets particularly as the growing economic importance of Asia gains momentum in the coming years.”
STE and Cyta said they have made this investment primarily to address the growing demand for connectivity between the Middle East, Europe and the Far East. The companies expect the cable to constitute a bridge between East and West, as STE sets targets to grow its domestic business in its home region by boosting internet penetration to 21% by the end of 2012.
“In consideration of other terrestrial cable projects in the region, Alasia will have the advantage of ensuring another diversified route from the existing submarine cables passing through the Mediterranean Sea,” added Bakr Bakr, director general at STE. “Our participation in the Alasia cable network comes as part of our commitment to help boost internet penetration levels in Syria and support its belief in the investment in ICT and content development.”
