Gulf Bridge International (GBI), a privately owned submarine cable operator in the Middle East, and telecommunications company Qtel announced the landing of the GBI cable in Qatar that will connect to the new purpose-built Qtel landing station.

This GBI cable landing is second of two in Qatar, and one of 10 planned cable landings around the Gulf region. To be launched later this year, the GBI Cable System is a high-capacity, fiber-optic communications cable which will connect all the countries of the Gulf region to each other and provide onward connectivity to Europe, Africa, and Asia.

“Our landing with Qtel is another significant step towards this year’s launch. I am very pleased that we are working with Qtel to increase international bandwidth and provide greater diversity and resilience for consumers and businesses in Qatar,” says GBI Board Member and CEO Ahmed Mekky.

“Qtel’s international connectivity strategy aims to position Qatar as one of the best connected countries in the world, and the successful landing of the GBI cable is another important stage in this journey. The new connection, supported by the superior technology of the purpose-built Qtel landing station, will ensure seamless and un-interrupted communication for Qatar and the wider region,” explains Ahmed Al-Derbesti, executive director, international services, Qtel.

Within the coming months, the cable ship “Responder” will continue the installation process of the GBI Cable System, which is configured as a self-healing ring within the Gulf.