Alternate Route Connecting GCC into Europe

Middle East, a critical hub for global connectivity

In today's world, connectivity is no longer a luxury—it is a fundamental necessity. Connectivity and mobility are intertwined, forming the backbone of modern life. A world without connectivity is unthinkable, and the mere prospect of losing it would send organizations of all sizes into crisis.

As regional and global dynamics continue to evolve, with some of the world’s largest corporations increasingly focusing on the Middle East, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity has always been the core strength of Kalaam Carrier Solutions. Our emphasis has been on providing the most reliable routes between the region and key markets around the world.

The Middle East has historically been a critical hub for global connectivity, linking Europe and the Americas to the west with Asia and the Far East. This strategic position has given the region unique insights into global telecom trends, resulting in exponential growth in the industry in recent years.

However, this growth has not been without its challenges. Traditionally, the Middle East has relied heavily on the Red Sea route for submarine cable systems, as most of these cables pass through this body of water towards Egypt. Unfortunately, the shallow waters along this route, particularly up to the Suez Canal, have made it prone to cable cuts caused by ship anchors. These frequent disruptions have led to significant communication outages and financial losses for organizations, as the cost-of-service restoration is substantial.

Innovating with An Alternate Mindset

At Kalaam Carrier Solutions, we have always been innovators, proactively addressing such challenges. We were among the first to activate an alternative route through Saudi Arabia, crossing Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea into Europe via Bari, Italy. This route was met with overwhelming demand from both carrier and enterprise customers. The BFSI sector, in particular, found this route attractive due to its stability and lower latency. Many global financial institutions now rely on this path for their connectivity needs between the Middle East and Europe.

In early 2024, the global telecom community faced a significant disruption when major cable systems crossing the Saudi peninsula and the Red Sea were intentionally damaged due to suspected political unrest. The extent of the damage, compounded by political instability and adverse weather conditions, made service restoration a formidable challenge. Organizations dependent on communications between the Middle East and Europe realized they were in for an extended period of disruption.

Creating An Alternate Route to connect GCC into Europe

Once again, Kalaam saw an opportunity in adversity. For years, an alternative route north of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, traversing Iraq and Turkey, had been considered as a substitute for the Red Sea and Mediterranean routes. Iraq, having emerged from the challenges of the Gulf War, was undergoing rapid economic growth and gaining recognition as a viable option for the region's telecom sector. Kalaam’s KNOT cable system, which connects the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, was already a key asset. By extending this network across the short distance from Kuwait to Iraq, we unlocked new possibilities for the region.

Kalaam Carrier Solutions immediately took action, establishing a new route from UAE, crossing Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Turkey, and extending all the way to Frankfurt. We became the first operator to offer a fully terrestrial path from the UAE to Frankfurt. This route not only offers the shortest path and lowest latency but also meets critical service requirements such as stability, support, rapid response times, and robust Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Since its launch, the Kalaam Iraq Transit, as it is now known, has become one of the most sought-after options for stable, reliable connectivity across regions. Kalaam was the first to procure this transit license in strategic partnership with Iraqi Informatics & Telecommunication Public Company (ITPC), continuing to lead the way in the ICT sector by thinking differently and placing our customers' needs at the forefront. We take pride in being recognized as a partner with an "Alternative Mindset" and remain committed to this philosophy. Our growing list of partners and customers is a testament to our success, and we look forward to maintaining this momentum.

By Ataullah Tisekar

Assistant Director – Europe & North America

Kalaam Carrier Solutions