Coral Bridge

Overview

Coral Bridge is a submarine cable system designed to connect Taba, Egypt, with Aqaba, Jordan, across the northern Red Sea. This intercontinental cable is set to enhance connectivity between Africa and the Middle East. It is scheduled to be ready for service in 2025, providing a critical link in the regional and international telecommunications infrastructure. Coral Bridge is expected to support the growing demand for data traffic in this strategically important corridor.

The cable's route spans a relatively short but significant distance, reflecting its role as a direct and efficient connection between two key landing points. Its implementation will contribute to the robustness and diversity of the global submarine cable network, ensuring improved resilience and reduced latency for data exchange between the regions it serves.

Route and Landings

Coral Bridge connects the northeastern tip of Egypt at Taba with the Jordanian port city of Aqaba. Taba is located on the Sinai Peninsula, a region that serves as a gateway between Africa and the Middle East. Aqaba, situated at the northern end of the Red Sea, is Jordan’s only coastal city and a vital hub for trade and telecommunications.

The cable crosses the northern Red Sea, a body of water known for its economic and geopolitical significance. This route is strategically chosen to bridge two regions that are separated by a relatively narrow maritime corridor. The proximity of the landing points ensures a direct and low-latency connection, which is crucial for the efficient transmission of data. Aqaba’s role as a major port city enhances its importance as a landing site, providing access to Jordan’s telecommunications network and enabling connectivity to the broader Levant region.

Ownership and History

Coral Bridge is jointly owned by NaiTel and Telecom Egypt. NaiTel is part of the Naijera Communications Group, a telecommunications entity with a significant presence in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. This marks a strategic expansion for NaiTel into the Middle Eastern market. Telecom Egypt, the other co-owner, is a leading telecommunications provider in Egypt, with extensive experience in managing and operating submarine cables.

The collaboration between these two companies highlights the growing partnerships between African and Middle Eastern telecommunications operators. Coral Bridge represents a significant investment in regional connectivity, aimed at strengthening the digital infrastructure and fostering economic cooperation. The cable’s development is part of a broader trend of enhancing intercontinental data exchange capabilities, particularly between Africa, the Middle East and beyond.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of Coral Bridge, conducted across 93 measured corridors, indicates promising performance metrics. The best recorded round-trip time (RTT) is 114 milliseconds, with an average RTT of 118 milliseconds. These figures suggest that the cable is capable of delivering low-latency connectivity, which is essential for modern internet applications and services.

While the cable is not yet operational, these measurements provide an early indication of its potential to meet the demands of high-speed data transfer. The proximity of Taba and Aqaba, combined with the cable’s advanced design, contributes to its efficiency. Once operational, Coral Bridge is expected to play a key role in supporting the digital economies of Egypt, Jordan and the surrounding regions, while also serving as a vital link in the global telecommunications network.