Vodafone Qatar has announced it has signed up with Gulf Bridge International (GBI) to connect Qatar with the Gulf region and the rest of the world through GBI’s advanced network of submarine cables.

GBI’s high-capacity network (Gulf ring) is connected to the world through two routes, one east to India and the Far East, and the second west to Italy and the rest of Europe using the latest fiber optic technology.
Vodafone Qatar, under its licence, will establish and operate an international landing station in Qatar, where it will connect to GBI’s international network.
Commenting on the partnership, Ahmed Mekky, GBI’s chief executive officer, said, “GBI is delighted to establish our first partnership with Vodafone Qatar, a recognised world leader in telecommunications. GBI’s submarine cable infrastructure around the Gulf will provide physical route diversity and improve reliability through its planned landing stations in Qatar. The project will significantly increase the available data capacity in the region and encourage greater sophistication of service offerings while also catering for the increasing demand of Qatar.”
Sturt Eastwood, Vodafone Qatar director of fixed and enterprise business, observed: “This partnership is an important step in Vodafone Qatar’s efforts to make a world of difference for the people in Qatar. Vodafone Qatar is focused on improving the country’s international communications connectivity with the world and bringing choice to the telecommunications market in Qatar.”
The partners expect that GBI’s submarine network and Vodafone Qatar’s international cable landing station will be operational by 2011.