Egypt, Jordan Launch Subsea Cable “Coral Bridge” to Strengthen Digital Connectivity

Egypt and Jordan took a major step toward boosting regional digital infrastructure with the official launch of the “Coral Bridge” subsea cable, the first direct marine link between the two countries in more than 25 years.

The high-capacity fiber-optic system was officially landed in the Egyptian city of Taba in South Sinai, in a ceremony attended by Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat, Jordan’s Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Al-Samirat, and South Sinai Governor Khaled Mubarak via video conference.

Developed jointly by Telecom Egypt and Naitel, the Jordanian telecommunications arm of Aqaba Digital City, the Coral Bridge cable stretches 15 kilometers across the Gulf of Aqaba. It will soon be landed in Aqaba, where it will connect to the Aqaba Digital City’s global data center hub.

Officials said the system will provide a direct, high-speed digital link that enhances resilience by offering alternative routes and backup connectivity for international traffic. The design incorporates a large number of optical fibers capable of carrying high-volume international data flows, particularly to meet surging demand from AI applications and data centers.

The cable will also serve as a seamless bridge across Asia, Africa, and Europe, leveraging Egypt’s long-standing role as a global transit point for internet traffic, where over 90% of east–west data flows already pass.

“This marks the first subsea system to be landed in Sinai, opening new routes for international cables and reinforcing Egypt’s role as a primary hub for global data movement,” Talaat said. He emphasized that Egypt is currently home to 15 subsea cables and 11 landing stations, with plans to expand further.

Jordan’s minister Al-Samirat highlighted the project as a “tangible outcome” of the recent 33rd Egyptian-Jordanian Joint Higher Committee meetings in Amman. He called Coral Bridge a strategic digital gateway for Jordan, one that strengthens its role in the regional and global data economy.

“This project reflects the historic relationship between our two countries and lays the groundwork for greater collaboration in ICT and digital innovation,” he said, extending an invitation to Minister Talaat to visit Jordan for further discussions.

South Sinai Governor Khaled Mubarak described the landing in Taba as an important milestone that not only supports digital connectivity but also strengthens ties between South Sinai and Aqaba in joint ventures spanning tourism, sports, and digital services.

The Coral Bridge cable was built to the highest technical and environmental standards, integrating sustainability principles to balance performance with ecological responsibility. The system was developed under a January 2024 cooperation agreement between Telecom Egypt and Naitel, underscoring the role of cross-border partnerships in enabling sustainable digital growth.

Industry experts say the project could pave the way for future infrastructure investments across the Middle East, positioning Egypt and Jordan as regional hubs in the global digital economy.