UAE-based E&, Telecom Egypt (TE), Telin, and a major Indian operator have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a consortium with the aim of developing the ICE IV Project. While the name of the major Indian operator is not disclosed, the joint statement noted that this new Data Center (DC) to DC system shall seamlessly connect the intra-Asia region to India and the Middle East on a unique route.
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ICE IV Project
Spanning approximately 11,000 km, this new system plans to use the latest open cable technologies and subsea ROADMs to interconnect Indonesia and Singapore to India, Oman, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.
The ICE IV Project will adopt an entirely new route through the Sunda Strait and become the first international cable to land in Kochi, India, in decades, offering an alternate resilient route and a new international gateway, the official release said.
Key Features and Benefits
Terrestrial extensions being considered also include links between the Middle East and Egypt and between Kochi and Chennai in India, together making this ICE IV Project unique. The target ready-for-service date is Q4, 2027. Reportedly, the ICE IV Project shall adopt PoP to PoP design architecture, providing seamless connectivity, extraordinary bandwidth, and network security through diversity.
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E& Carrier and Wholesale said: "With the ICE IV Project, we're redefining the connectivity map, bringing continents closer than ever before, and unlocking bandwidth access for billions of people. With our commitment to making SmartHub a location of choice as one of the largest neutral carrier hubs, the ICE IV Project will further accelerate connectivity. The new DC to DC system will enable us to increase capabilities and global capacity further to meet the evolving requirements of customers across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas."
"This particular route is considered the core infrastructure connecting the largest continents, and one of the major and continuously expanding subsea routes," Telecom Egypt said. "Furthermore, the ICE IV Project will enable us to extend our footprint and further diversify our subsea infrastructure portfolio to promptly address the ever-growing demand for global connectivity."
Telin said, "The ICE program involves 7 separate cable systems connecting Indonesia to all potential markets. During the next 5 years, the system deployment will start, each adhering to 4 fundamental principles: DC to DC Access, Ultra-Low Latency, Different Landings, and a Unique Route."
