Tech

Telecom Egypt, 4iG sign MoU to construct high-capacity subsea cable connecting Albania

Published

1 year ago

October 10, 2023

Egypt’s pioneer integrated telecom operator, Telecom Egypt has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with one of the largest subsea cable operators in the world, 4iG Plc based in Budapest, Hungary, to link the North African country to Albania via a point-to-point, high capacity subsea cable.

The MoU, which was signed in Cairo by Mohamed Nasr, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Telecom Egypt, and Gellért Jászai, Chairman of Board of Directors at 4iG Plc, is aimed at “promoting cooperation between Egypt and Hungary by constructing a new subsea cable between Egypt and Albania in order to enhance connectivity”, Nasr said.

According to Nasr, the agreement represents a qualitative addition to the existing Mediterranean routes, connecting to the main internet points of presence (PoP) in Europe, such as the ones in Budapest, Vienna, and Frankfurt, in addition to numerous potential PoPs in Eastern Europe.

“With an open access model and multiple branching units, the system is set up to be a new European cable entry point via Albania.

“The most important pillar in this cooperation is that it comes within the framework of the strategy targeting Eastern Europe with the aim of enhancing business sustainability and future expansions.”

The subsea cables connection will see Egypt expand its international digital infrastructure, especially as more than 90% of the data transferred between the East and the West passes through Egypt, Nasr added.

Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary to Egypt, András Kovács, who signed on behalf of his country, said of the agreement:

“This cooperation agreement is strongly supported by the Republic of Hungary, pointing out that there are ongoing strategic cooperation efforts between Egypt and Hungary at the political level and also in specialized fields.

“We hope that such agreements would enhance cooperation between the two countries in the field of ICT and help expand governmental collaboration between the Egyptian and the Hungarian Ministries of Communications and Information Technology.

“These efforts will resonate in the business sector, especially as many Hungarian ICT companies are getting more interested in exploring investment opportunities in Egypt”.

Related Topics:4ig Featured Memorandum of Understanding Subsea Cables Telecom Egypt

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

2 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and The Gambia are in the process of launching free roaming services that will enhance a West African connectivity.

The plan which is a joint initiative of the Ghana Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and The Gambian National Communications Authority (NCA) will see mobile users in both countries avoiding extra charges for calls, texts, and data, which in turn, is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic integration across borders.

The collaboration, according to a joint statement by the two bodies, aligns with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broader push for seamless regional communication.

“Ghana and The Gambia are forging new paths in West Africa’s digital landscape, implementing a free-roaming initiative,” the statement said.

“This move strengthens regional connectivity while highlighting the role of technological collaboration in fostering economic integration. The initiative enables mobile users travelling between the two nations to make calls, send messages, and use data services without additional roaming fees.”

It further noted that by reducing these costs, the program aligns with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which seeks to eliminate barriers to communication across member states.

“It is a boost for trade and travel as the free roaming plan is expected to spur economic activities by streamlining cross-border communication.

“Businesses and individuals travelling between Ghana and The Gambia can now stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges, facilitating smoother transactions and personal interactions. The initiative is also expected to attract more tourists by ensuring seamless digital access for visitors.

“This collaboration marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity, following Ghana’s successful implementation of similar agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with talks of possible roaming partnerships with Liberia.

“By focusing on digital integration, Ghana and The Gambia demonstrate the power of technology to bridge gaps between countries. This step also serves as a model for other West African nations to join the free-roaming framework, contributing to the larger goal of a connected and economically integrated region,” it added.

Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has been selected to host the sixth edition of the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) summit from February 24-28, 2025, as a flagship event within Regenerative Ocean Week.

The Ocean Innovation Africa is set to be Africa’s most significant platform for Ocean Innovation conservation, and sustainable development in the blue economy. OIA2025 will be co-organised with leading partners, including IUCN, GIZ, OceanHub Africa, Catalyze and the Ocean-Climate Platform.

With the theme, “Science-to-Solution”, the Regenerative Ocean Week will present a line-up of sessions designed to bridge the gap between scientific research, business innovation, policy, and community engagement.

According to the organizers of the event, it will bring together African ocean innovators, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore practical solutions that can be applied across the continent.

“These include the OIA Pitch Competition, which is a platform for Africa-based startups and entrepreneurs to showcase breakthrough ideas in ocean-impact solutions, allowing them to connect with investors and industry leaders and emphasizing Africa’s role in driving sustainable ocean initiatives,” the organizers said in a statement.