DOHA: Qatar is set to emerge as a major hub of multi-million riyal marine telecommunication service that would cover many Middle East nations, including the GCC countries, and link the East Asia and Europe.
The Qatar-based Gulf Bridge International (GBI) and Iraq Telecommunications and Post Company (ITPC) signed an agreement to establish a landing for GBI's advanced fibre optic at a function held at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) here yesterday.
The GBI is the Middle East's first privately owned submarine cable operator, and Iraq Telecommunications and Post Company (ITPC) is the leading company in providing telecommunications services in that country.
GBI's undersea cable network will connect the Gulf region states in a "Gulf Ring' system, in addition to onward telecommunications connectivity to the Far East (East Route) and Europe (West Route).
"In the initial phase, the project would cover a total of 13,000km submarine linking Iraq and covering all the GCC countries and further extending up to India and Italy. The main hub would be Qatar", Ahmed Mekky, Board Member and CEO, GBI replied to a question posed by The Peninsula. The $445m project would be operational by 2011, he added.
Mekky said the project would make sure that the marine environment of the respective territorial waters is not disturbed while carrying out the project. 'We have conducted a mandatory Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) ahead of the launch of the project. Discussions have been held with individual countries regarding the environment aspect of the project", he said.
Commenting on the importance of the GBI-ITPC MoU, GBI Chairman Rashid Al Noaimi said: "The landing of GBI's new undersea telecommunications cable is a historic event, as it is the first cable to be landed in Iraq. This step will certainly improve Iraqi economic performance especially the telecommunication sector, motivate the development process and facilitate various business investments".
GBI International cable System is the first cable to be landed in Iraq and will contribute in developing telecommunications services for both individuals and companies. The cable will provide high capacity internet services especially with Gulf countries, and will help in reconnecting Iraq with the rest of the world through high speed, reliable cable networks.
"This MoU reflects strong Qatari-Iraqi relations, and it opens doors for more co-operations in other fields in the future. We look forward for the best mutual investments between Iraq and Qatar, as well as our people's interest", said Jawad Al Hindawi, Iraqi Ambassador to Qatar.
Qasim Mohamed Jasim Al Hasani, Director General of ITPC said: "The landing of the GBI cable in Iraq will provide unprecedented services, and will support other sectors which will benefit from the rapid and immediate communication the GBI cable will offer."
© The Peninsula 2009
