Israel’s Partner Communications has been awarded a contract for a new fibre link connecting two continents.
Partner Communications, best known as the country’s second-largest mobile phone operator but also involved in internet and TV services, has signed a $12.6 million deal to build a fibre optics network within Israel to enable another ultra-fast data connection between Europe and the Far East.
The network deal was signed with Tamares Telecom, a leading fibre-based international communications and data service provider and network operator.
Reuters reports that the aim of the link is to offer an alternative to existing cables that connect Europe with Asia via the Suez Canal. Geopolitical issues and damage to cables caused by ships passing through the canal have caused problems along the Suez route.
Partner therefore aims to deploy 300 km of fibre optics to expand Tamares’ network and create a corridor between the Mediterranean sea and Jordan. Partner will also supply maintenance services as part of the deal.
Reuters says that the project will take up to two years to build. When finished, it will connect cables from the Far East to two points in Israel: the Israel-Jordan border crossing and the resort city of Eilat. It will then run through Israel to the Mediterranean port of Haifa and on to Europe.
Partner has said that the high capacity offered by the project will help to address the growing data flow between the West and the East.
