RIYADH: Artificial intelligence applications and data center demands are poised for a boost, thanks to a new submarine cable connecting Egypt and Jordan. In the first collaboration of this kind in 25 years, the Coral Bridge submarine cable will stretch across the Gulf of Aqaba to create a maritime communications bridge connecting the Jordanian city of Aqaba to the Egyptian city of Taba, establishing a robust infrastructure between the two countries, according to an official statement. The cable will be designed with high technical specifications to serve as a major project connecting the two countries with unique competitive advantages, thanks to the short distance between the landing points and its capacity to accommodate a large number of optical fibers for international traffic. Telecom Egypt, the first integrated communications operator in Egypt, and NaiTel, a telecommunications service provider in Jordan, have signed the agreement to establish the “Coral Bridge” submarine cable connecting the two nations. Mohamed Nasr, managing director and CEO of Telecom Egypt, stated: “The cable represents a key pillar in our strategy to expand our international presence in neighboring countries, relying on the strategic location of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the distinguished expertise of NaiTel in the infrastructure in Jordan.” He added: “The new infrastructure between Taba and Aqaba will be a vital gateway for international communications between Asia, Africa, and Europe, in addition to serving as a new focal point in the Egyptian city of Taba on the Sinai Peninsula, where multiple submarine cables are planned for landing.” The agreement was signed by Nasr, along with Eyad Abu Khorma, the founder and CEO of NaiTel, in the presence of the Jordanian Ambassador to Egypt, Amjad Al-Adaileh, and Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat. The implementation will contribute to the integration of the geographical competitive advantages of Egypt as a key international gateway from East to West and Jordan as a vital passage for the Levant, Iraq, and Gulf countries, serving as a convergence point between Asia and Europe. Additionally, it will provide alternatives for international communication to Europe through Egypt’s distinctive infrastructure and the Aqaba Digital Hub, hosting major content providers and international operators. Through this connection, the submarine cable will serve the Jordanian market and neighboring markets by providing integrated solutions from Aqaba to Europe, leveraging the diverse and multifaceted maritime infrastructure and the strong transit network of Telecom Egypt. The CEO of NaiTel said: “The strategic location of the Aqaba Digital Hub serves as a neutral convergence point between Europe, Asia, and Africa, benefiting from the diverse footprint of Telecom Egypt and its flexible transit network. This collaboration will provide a comprehensive technical solution seamlessly connecting Aqaba to Europe.” Minister Talaat emphasized that establishing the new submarine cable enhances efforts to strengthen bilateral relations in the field of communications and information technology. He highlighted that this project results from ongoing discussions to enhance cooperation in the international digital infrastructure, while the Jordanian Ambassador expressed appreciation for this fruitful cooperation between the two countries which aligns with the vision of King Abdullah II and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to enhance the joint and effective Jordanian-Egyptian model in the region.