UAE-based telecommunications company du has announced a partnership with PEACE Cable International Network Co Limited to extend the PEACE subsea cable system into the UAE and the Gulf region. This partnership will enhance network performance and digital connectivity for wholesale and enterprise customers.
The PEACE cable, which went live in August 2024, spans an impressive 21,500 km, connecting Singapore to France with landing points in several countries, including Pakistan, Kenya, Somalia, Tunisia, the Maldives, Seychelles, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Malta, and Cyprus. The system offers a robust capacity, providing 16 Tbps per fibre pair with a maximum design capacity of 192 Tbps.
While the main cable is owned by PEACE, a subsidiary of China-based Hengtong Group, the branching units are owned by various telco partners. For example, Zain owns the branch between Jeddah and Marseille, Ooredoo Tunisia owns the Tunisian branch, Cyta owns the branch to Cyprus, and GO owns the branch to Malta. In this new collaboration, du will build the PEACE Gulf Extension to connect the UAE to the subsea network.
Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, emphasized that the partnership would improve network performance and managed services across the region, enhancing digital transformation and connectivity. “This collaboration will bring significant economic and digital advancements, ensuring unparalleled reliability and value for our customers,” Benkirane stated.
The PEACE Gulf Extension is expected to be operational by the second half of 2026, further strengthening the UAE’s position in global connectivity.
