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Fiber optic cable connecting the UAE to South Asia

Fiber optic cable connecting the UAE to South Asia

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The UAE is connected to South Asia via the SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable, with additional regional connectivity through the Fibre in Gulf (FIG) system.

SEA-ME-WE 6 Cable

The South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 6 (SEA-ME-WE 6) is a major optical fiber submarine cable linking Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe. Construction began in February 2022, and the cable spans approximately 19,200 km with a design capacity of 126 Tbit/s using SDM technology. The UAE is a key landing point, connecting to countries such as Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Pakistan, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. As of November 2025, the cable has been installed at landing points in France, Egypt, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India, with service expected to begin in Q1 2026. The Al Khaleej branch specifically links the UAE to Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, enhancing regional connectivity and providing a secure route for data traffic between the Middle East and South Asia .

Fibre in Gulf (FIG) Cable

The Fibre in Gulf (FIG) is a regional submarine cable system connecting seven GCC countries, including the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq. Developed by Ooredoo Group and supplied by Alcatel Submarine Networks, the FIG cable features up to 24 fiber pairs and a total system capacity of 720 Tbps. While FIG primarily enhances intra-GCC connectivity, it also provides a low-latency, secure corridor that links the region to Europe, indirectly supporting data traffic between the UAE and South Asia through broader international networks .

Strategic and Technical Significance

  • High Capacity and Low Latency: Both SEA-ME-WE 6 and FIG provide high-speed, high-capacity connections, crucial for hyperscalers, data centers, AI providers, and telecom operators .
  • Geopolitical Considerations: SEA-ME-WE 6 faced adjustments due to U.S. objections to Chinese participation, leading to construction by a U.S. consortium, SubCom, ensuring security and reliability .
  • Regional Digital Growth: These cables support cloud services, big data initiatives, and digital transformation in the UAE and South Asia, strengthening the UAE's role as a regional digital hub .

Summary

The UAE's connectivity to South Asia is primarily facilitated by SEA-ME-WE 6, with the Al Khaleej branch linking the UAE to neighboring GCC countries, while FIG enhances regional GCC connectivity and provides a secure corridor to Europe. Together, these submarine cables ensure robust, high-capacity, and low-latency communication infrastructure, supporting both regional and international digital traffic .

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