Kalaam Telecom launches Kalaam Network Optical Transit cable system for MENA region

June 11, 2020

The network, which will leverage Ciena’s 6500 Packet Optical platform with WaveLogic coherent technology, will aim to provide low-latency communications in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Stephen Hardy

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Bahrain-based Kalaam Telecom Group, which offers business services across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and other international markets, has launched the Kalaam Network Optical Transit (KNOT) terrestrial fiber-optic network. The network, which will leverage Ciena’s (NYSE:CIEN) 6500 Packet Optical platform with WaveLogic coherent technology, will aim to provide low-latency communications in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The KNOT fiber network will run more than 1,400 km across 12 with a capacity of 12.8 Tbps with a pathway to more. The fiber-optic network uses optical ground wire associated with a regional high-tension electricity network operated by the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA), which Kalaam states will significantly reduce the risk of cable cuts. The new fiber network will offer route diversity by connecting Kalaam’s meshed transmission network across 12 countries and 16 points of presence (PoPs). The network is expected to become operational during the fourth quarter of this year.

“Kalaam chose to invest in this multi-million-dollar network expansion project to sustain the ever-growing demand for data connectivity and business applications to and from the MENA region. This new state-of-the-art, upgradable optical transport network is fully owned and operated by Kalaam Telecom Group,” explained Veer Passi, group CEO of Kalaam and Tawasul Telecom. “With the launch of KNOT, an open cable system, Kalaam will continue its legacy of being an innovative and disruptive solution provider, which aims to make connectivity in the MENA region more competitive. This will provide a highly scalable alternative to carriers, CDNs, OTTs, cloud providers, data centers, and enterprises to benefit from innovative solutions and enhanced communications experience.”

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.