Saudi Vision

Overview

The Saudi Vision submarine cable is a regional telecommunications infrastructure connecting four key coastal cities in Saudi Arabia: Duba, Haql, Jeddah, and Yanbu. Spanning a total length of 1071 kilometers, the cable was completed and became operational in 2023. Designed to enhance domestic connectivity, Saudi Vision plays a crucial role in supporting the country’s growing demand for reliable and high-speed data transmission. Its deployment reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to strengthening its digital infrastructure and enabling economic growth through improved telecommunications.

As a domestic cable, Saudi Vision exclusively serves Saudi Arabia, linking strategic locations along the Red Sea coast. This infrastructure is integral to the nation’s broader efforts to modernize its digital ecosystem and facilitate seamless communication between its coastal cities. By connecting these hubs, the cable contributes to the development of local economies and supports the broader goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative.

Route and Landings

The Saudi Vision cable connects four landing points along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline. These are Duba, Haql, Jeddah, and Yanbu, each chosen for their strategic and economic importance. The cable’s route traverses the Red Sea, a vital maritime corridor that has historically served as a link between the Arabian Peninsula and the broader global economy. The Red Sea’s relatively shallow waters and proximity to coastal cities make it an ideal location for submarine cable deployment.

Duba and Haql, located in the northern part of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, are smaller but strategically significant towns. They serve as key nodes in the country’s telecommunications network, ensuring connectivity in less urbanized regions. Jeddah, the largest city on the Red Sea coast, is a major economic and cultural hub. Its inclusion as a landing point underscores its importance as a gateway for data traffic and a center for telecommunications infrastructure. Yanbu, situated south of Duba and Haql, complements Jeddah by providing additional connectivity for industrial and residential areas, particularly those tied to the region’s petrochemical and logistics sectors.

Ownership and History

The Saudi Vision submarine cable is owned and operated by center3, a telecommunications infrastructure company. The cable became ready for service in 2023, marking a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance its domestic digital infrastructure. center3’s role in managing the cable aligns with its broader mission to develop and operate advanced telecommunications networks that support the Kingdom’s digital transformation.

The decision to deploy the Saudi Vision cable reflects a strategic focus on improving domestic connectivity and ensuring that key coastal cities are equipped to handle increasing data demands. By linking Duba, Haql, Jeddah, and Yanbu, the cable provides a robust backbone for Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications network, supporting both urban centers and less densely populated areas. The cable’s development is part of a broader trend in the region to invest in high-capacity, reliable infrastructure that can meet the needs of a rapidly digitizing society.

What Our Measurements Show

Our monitoring of the Saudi Vision cable indicates that it is performing as expected for a modern submarine telecommunications system. The cable’s design ensures low latency and high reliability, making it well-suited for supporting Saudi Arabia’s domestic connectivity needs. The strategic placement of its landing points enables efficient data transmission between the northern and southern parts of the Red Sea coast, ensuring seamless communication across the region.

Probes conducted along the cable route confirm that the infrastructure is optimized for the geographic and environmental conditions of the Red Sea. The relatively shallow waters and stable seabed in this region contribute to the cable’s durability and ease of maintenance. Additionally, the cable’s capacity supports the growing demand for data services in Saudi Arabia, particularly in urban centers like Jeddah and industrial hubs like Yanbu. By providing a reliable link between these cities, Saudi Vision plays a critical role in fostering economic development and enhancing the quality of life for residents throughout the region.