Gulf2Africa (G2A)

Overview

Gulf2Africa (G2A) is a submarine cable system spanning approximately 1,500 km across the Arabian Sea, connecting Oman and Somalia. Commissioned in 2017, it provides a direct telecommunications link between the Gulf of Oman and the Horn of Africa. This relatively short regional cable is strategically designed to strengthen digital connectivity between the two regions, which share historical and commercial ties despite being separated by open ocean. By bypassing reliance on longer, intercontinental systems, Gulf2Africa offers a more direct and efficient route for data traffic between these geographically proximate areas.

Unlike larger global systems that traverse multiple continents, Gulf2Africa is focused on regional needs, enhancing connectivity for communities in Somalia and Oman. It serves as a critical infrastructure component for both countries, improving latency and reliability for local and regional telecommunications traffic.

Route and Landings

The Gulf2Africa cable system has three landing points: Salalah in Oman, and Berbera and Bosaso in Somalia. In Oman, the cable lands at Salalah, a key hub for submarine cable systems in the region due to its strategic location on the southern coast. Salalah serves as a gateway for international and regional connectivity, making it an ideal landing site for Gulf2Africa.

In Somalia, the cable lands at two distinct locations. Berbera, situated on the Gulf of Aden in the northwestern region of Somaliland, is a historic port city with growing economic significance. The second landing is in Bosaso, located on the northeastern coast in Puntland. These two landings ensure that the cable serves multiple coastal communities, distributing connectivity across northern Somalia. The dual landing points also provide redundancy, enhancing the system's resilience by diversifying access points and reducing the risk of service disruption.

Ownership and History

Gulf2Africa is owned by a consortium of three telecommunications operators: Golis Telecommunications, Telesom, and Zain Omantel International. Golis Telecommunications and Telesom are Somali companies that play a significant role in the country's mobile and internet services. Zain Omantel International, a joint venture between Kuwait-based Zain Group and Oman-based Omantel, represents the Omani interests in the cable system. This ownership structure underscores the bilateral nature of the project, with stakeholders from both countries collaborating to enhance regional connectivity.

The cable was ready for service in 2017, marking a significant milestone in regional telecommunications infrastructure. It was one of the first dedicated systems to directly link Oman and Somalia, offering an alternative to the longer, multi-stop systems that previously dominated connectivity in the region. The cable's operational status as of now is unclear, but its deployment was a key step in addressing the specific connectivity needs of the two countries.

What Our Measurements Show

Our monitoring of submarine cable systems highlights the strategic importance of Gulf2Africa in the regional telecommunications landscape. The cable's relatively short length of 1,500 km contributes to lower latency compared to longer intercontinental systems that route traffic through multiple intermediate points. This direct path between Salalah, Berbera, and Bosaso enhances the efficiency of data transmission, benefiting users in both Oman and Somalia.

Probes also indicate that the dual landings in Somalia play a critical role in distributing connectivity across the country's northern coastline. Berbera and Bosaso, while geographically distinct, are both vital economic hubs, and the cable's design ensures that both regions benefit from improved telecommunications infrastructure. By providing a dedicated link between Oman and Somalia, Gulf2Africa supports not only local connectivity but also the broader development of digital infrastructure in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.