An Iraqi-Emirati alliance is set to make waves in the telecommunications sector with an ambitious plan to establish a data cable connecting the Gulf to Turkey. This significant initiative, known as the “World Link” project, aims to create both marine and terrestrial connections valued at approximately $700 million. As the demand for digital connectivity rises across the region, this project represents a critical step toward enhancing data transmission and reducing congestion on existing routes.
Details of the Project
On Monday, Ali Al-Aqabi, the head of “Tek 964,” one of the three companies forming the Iraqi-Emirati alliance, revealed plans for the data cable project, which will traverse the region from the UAE to Turkey, passing through Iraq. As detailed in a report by Reuters, the project will commence with a marine cable originating from the Emirate of Fujairah and will extend to the Al-Faw Peninsula in Iraq, before continuing northward to the Turkish border.
Participants in the Alliance
The alliance, in addition to “Tek 964,” includes “DIL Technologies” from Iraq and “Brize Investments” from the UAE. Al-Aqabi emphasized that funding for the project will come from the private sector. He mentioned that the implementation phase is expected to take between four and five years and will cater to major cloud computing enterprises, international data transport operators, and artificial intelligence applications that necessitate high-bandwidth and low-latency connections.
Addressing Data Congestion
According to Al-Aqabi, who is the son of Iraqi real estate billionaire Numair Al-Aqabi, the primary goal of this initiative is to alleviate congestion on existing data transport routes between East and West. This is especially vital in light of the growing demand for digital connections and data centers in the region. The “World Link” cable aims to decrease transit times compared to traditional paths, such as those passing through the Suez Canal.
Iraq’s Strategic Vision
In recent years, Iraq has been working hard to reposition itself as a stable transit corridor following decades of conflict. In 2023, the government unveiled the “Development Road” initiative, a $17 billion plan to establish rail and road networks connecting the Al-Faw area with Turkey. This infrastructural development underscores Iraq’s commitment to enhancing its logistical role between the Gulf and Europe, further solidifying the importance of the upcoming data cable project linking the Gulf to Turkey.