An agreement between Natel and MEDUSA enhances Jordan's position as a digital gateway

Under the agreement, Digital Aqaba City will provide a new access point to the Medusa network via the 'Coral Bridge' submarine cable, enabling connectivity between Aqaba and Europe through Medusa's cable landing stations in the Mediterranean Sea, and opening new communication routes with the Middle East and North Africa markets.

The cooperation also includes hosting Medusa's equipment in the neutral data center of Digital Aqaba City, enabling operators and customers connected to the city to benefit from the marine network services and leverage the integrated infrastructure provided by the city for regional and international connectivity.

Medusa is developing a new generation marine cable system to connect Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, which, under the agreement, will integrate with Natel's regional and international connectivity network, the neutral data center, and the submarine cable landing station of Digital Aqaba City.

The CEO and founder of Digital Aqaba City, Engineer Eyad Abu Karma, said: 'We continue to develop the international connectivity infrastructure in Aqaba at Digital Aqaba City, and through our cooperation with Medusa, we enhance Jordan's role as a gateway connecting Europe and North Africa with the Middle East markets. The integration of Medusa's network in the Mediterranean Sea with Natel's networks and the facilities of Digital Aqaba City provides more diverse and flexible communication routes, especially as the cable reaches Aqaba through the Coral Bridge submarine cable connecting Aqaba with Taba, Egypt, expanding connectivity options for institutions and service providers in the Kingdom and the region.'

Abu Karma added: 'Jordan has a strategic location, along with what we have developed in Digital Aqaba City in terms of terrestrial and marine networks and data centers, providing a strong foundation for expanding the Kingdom's role in the regional and international connectivity system. We look forward to working with Medusa to leverage these capabilities and develop new opportunities for digital connectivity starting from Aqaba.'

Norman Albi, CEO of Medusa Submarine Cables, said: 'Our cooperation with Natel and Digital Aqaba City is an important step in expanding Medusa's network services from the Mediterranean Sea to Jordan and the Middle East region. This cooperation combines our high-capacity marine network with the terrestrial and marine networks and data centers provided by Natel and Digital Aqaba City in Aqaba, providing telecom operators, cloud service providers, digital platforms, and institutions with broader options to benefit from more diverse and flexible international communication routes.'

Albi added: 'We look forward to working with our partners in Jordan to enhance connectivity between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, and to keep pace with the continuous growth of the digital economy in the region.'

Medusa

Medusa is a marine cable system developed and operated by AFR-IX Telecom to connect Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, comprising over 8,700 kilometers of marine cables and 24 pairs of optical fibers, providing various operators with high-capacity international connectivity services.

Digital Aqaba City and Natel

Digital Aqaba City hosts the largest neutral data center in Jordan, equipped for artificial intelligence applications, along with cloud computing services and marine cable landing facilities.

Natel, the communications arm of Digital Aqaba City and the licensed telecom operator in Jordan, provides fiber optic services and internet traffic exchange via 'AqabaIX', along with regional and international connectivity solutions, serving institutions and technology providers in the Kingdom and the region.