The company collaborated with optical vendor Xtera Communications for the deployment on the route between the Zafarana cable landing station in Egypt and its Milan PoP in Italy.
Xtera’s platform was deployed n submarine and terrestrial line equipment configurations, delivering 100Gbps waves on both subsea and land sections of the 5,000km route.
“We are pleased to be working with Xtera to achieve this landmark 100G deployment in the Mediterranean,” commented Mr. Ahmed Mekky, Board Member and CEO of GBI. ”Today’s announcement reflects our ongoing commitment to be the region’s most advanced subsea cable operator and to ensure that our customers benefit from the latest technological advancements.”
GBI’s subsea section across the Mediterranean connects Abu Talat, Egypt, to Mazara del Vallo, Italy and has been in service since the beginning of this year.
Both terrestrial sections in Egypt and Italy utilise working and project routes and are claimed to be the first commercial systems I the world with an installed design capacity of 90 x 100Gbps.
“Through the completion of backhaul networks in Egypt and Italy, coupled with the first 100G commercial repeatered subsea link, Xtera is extremely pleased to be part of GBI’s ambitious project to improve the international connections to the Middle East,” said Jon Hopper, President and CEO of Xtera.
