Egypt’s first integrated telecom operator, Telecom Egypt, has announced its signing of a strategic collaboration agreement with the leading operator of integrated communications services, Orange Jordan.
The aim of the collaboration between Orange Group’s subsidiary and one of Egypt’s largest subsea cable operators is to create a highly reliable terrestrial system connecting Iraq to Europe through Jordanian and Egyptian territories.
The new system will be known in the marketplace as the “Cairo Amman Baghdad System” or “CAB System”. It fits with the goals of both operators to grow in the Middle East market in general and in the Iraqi market in particular so they can offer cutting-edge solutions for telecommunications and connectivity.
The system will benefit from Telecom Egypt’s position, global resources, facilities, and Orange Jordan’s infrastructure in Jordan, which is completely different from what Telecom Egypt has. So that the companies can meet the growing needs of the Iraqi market, their well-known and strong networks will be brought together. This will provide dependable, low-latency internet connectivity services via highly resilient, diverse routes.
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The CAB System will be available for service in the third quarter of 2022. Once it is up and running, it will be the most advanced, scalable, and fast way to get from Iraq to Europe by using the networks of the two companies.
Telecom Egypt’s Managing Director and CEO, Adel Hamed, expressed delight in the partnership as it will boost the Iraqi user experience.
He says, “We are pleased to be part of this new solution in collaboration with Orange Jordan.” The new CAB System will “telecom user experience for the Iraqi market by serving it through a new, highly resilient, and completely diverse” telecom network. “Telecom Egypt and Orange Group are strategic partners, and we are very proud of the special relationship with Orange Jordan reflected in this collaboration agreement between the two companies.”
On his part, Thierry Marigny, Orange Jordan CEO, said: “The CAB System is a true game changer for creating new routes to reach the Iraqi market.” This strategic partnership with Telecom Egypt will allow us to serve this rapidly growing market with new, highly reliable terrestrial routes that connect Iraq to Europe without any breaks. Orange Jordan is proud to be part of the CAB System, which will contribute to an enhanced, high-speed highway between Europe and Iraq, affirming its position as a responsible digital leader. “
Iraq’s Telecommunications Sector
At the end of 2021, mobile penetration was 36 million subscribers or roughly 90 per cent. This remained low compared to other oil-endowed states in the region but is projected to increase over the coming years as mobile firms finish building nationwide networks and household incomes increase. Internet penetration, excluding mobile phone use, was approximately 20 million, or 50%.
Iraq’s three national and regional wireless firms have built CDMA networks in most of Iraq’s major cities, providing wireless Internet and voice access to consumers and businesses. Several operators in the IKR run CDMA and WiMAX networks but do not have frequency licenses from the national independent regulator.
The number of internet users in Iraq, not mobile phones, is estimated to be about 20 million. The total internet traffic that enters Iraq through the current infrastructure is 111 lambdas (1 lambda = 10Gb). Iraq’s bandwidth needs as of November 2021 were estimated to be between, with the minimum to run 4G sees efficiently estimated to be 500 lambdas. The infrastructure for the Internet in the country is owned by the Ministry of Communications (MOC), which rents it out to private Internet service providers.
Opportunities
The MOC’s fixed-line telephone infrastructure remains dilapidated. It has set up several fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) projects in different parts of Baghdad. The number of subscribers is estimated to be 2.1 million, including the users of fixed-line telephones and FTTH’s telephone services.
Due to the MOC’s monopoly on fibre, there is very little private investment and competition in fibre, so prices are the highest in the region. On the other hand, the MOC’s two state-owned companies have hired several private Iraqi companies to rebuild and grow the fiber backbone. Iraq is connected to each of its six neighbours by land, and it is also connected to the Gulf Bridge International submarine cable. Building out: U.S. companies could help build out Iraq’s fibre optic sector by supplying equipment, making and designing electronic parts, designing network architectures and system monitoring programs, and running operating centres. In addition to its “WE” mobile business, the company also owns 45% of Vodafone Egypt. Iraq has implemented or is rolling out e-government, e-health, e-education, and e-banking networks.
Hence, the Cairo-Amman-Baghdad System will contribute to an enhanced, high-speed highway between Europe and Iraq, improving internet connectivity.
About Telecom Egypt
Telecom Egypt is the first fully integrated telecom service provider in Egypt. It offers all types of telecom services, such as voice and data services on fixed and mobile phones. Telecom Egypt has been serving Egyptian customers for more than 160 years. It has a long history of giving business and individual customers cutting-edge technology, reliable infrastructure solutions, and the largest network of submarine cables. “WE, This has helped the company stay at the top of the Egyptian telecommunications market. In addition to its “WE,” the mobile division also owns a 45% share in Vodafone Egypt. Shares and GDRs of Telecom Egypt are traded on the London Stock Exchange and the Egyptian Exchange.
With the best networks and cutting-edge digital solutions, including a wide range of fixed, mobile, internet, data, and Smart Life Solutions, Orange Jordan is the Kingdom’s digital leader and one of the subsidiaries of Orange Global Group. With more than 1500 committed staff members, Orange Jordan is committed to exceeding the expectations of its customer base, which totals about 4.3 million people throughout the Kingdom.
About Orange Jordan
Orange Business Services: Orange Jordan provides a vast array of communication services to both individuals and corporations (OBS).
The company has seven key values: transparency, agility, results-orientedness, client centricity, cooperation, caring, and excellence.
Through the execution of various free digital programs to empower Jordanians and enhance digital inclusion to affect socio-economic development by focusing on three main pillars: digital education, digital inclusion, and entrepreneurship, Orange Jordan continue to have a sustainable impact on the lives of Jordanians as a result of its societal role and its leading position.