Kalba: Strategic Hub for Global Submarine Cables

Where is Kalba and why do cables pass through here?

Kalba is a small coastal town in the United Arab Emirates on the eastern coast, near the Gulf of Oman. Geographically, this location is ideal for laying submarine cables because it connects the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean via the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. This location minimizes the route lengths between Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Additionally, its positioning avoids complex and risky deep-sea areas, making it attractive to telecommunications network operators.

Which cables pass through Kalba?

Kalba hosts 20 submarine cables, including some of the longest and most significant routes in the world. Among them are:

• FLAG Europe-Asia (FEA): 28,000 km
• Asia Africa Europe-1 (AAE-1): 25,000 km
• PEACE Cable: 25,000 km
• SeaMeWe-6: 21,700 km
• SeaMeWe-5: 20,000 km
• SeaMeWe-4: 20,000 km
• Europe India Gateway (EIG): 15,000 km
• IMEWE: 12,091 km
• FALCON: 10,300 km
• Africa-1: 10,000 km
• Bay of Bengal Gateway (BBG): 8,100 km
• Gulf Bridge International Cable System/Middle East North Africa Cable System (GBICS/MENA): 5,270 km
• The East African Marine System (TEAMS): 5,054 km
• Tata TGN-Gulf: 4,031 km
• Fibre in Gulf (FIG): 1,931 km
• Transworld (TW1): 1,300 km

These cables provide connectivity between dozens of countries and billions of users, linking key economic and technological hubs around the world.

Who depends on Kalba?

Kalba is a critical hub for internet connectivity in the Middle East, South Asia and Northeast Africa. If cable disruptions occur here, countries such as Egypt, Oman, Iran, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Italy, India, the Maldives and China would be affected. These nations could face sharp reductions in internet speeds, difficulties with international calls and disruptions to cloud services.

Main risks in the Kalba area

Despite Kalba's strategic importance, this region is subject to several risks:

• Seismic activity: The area is near tectonically active zones, increasing the likelihood of earthquakes and potential cable damage.
• Ship anchors: Heavy maritime traffic near the Strait of Hormuz poses a risk of accidental cable damage from anchors.
• Fishing: Trawling activities can damage cables, especially in shallow waters.
• Sabotage: Geopolitical tensions in the region make Kalba a potential target for intentional attacks on cable infrastructure.
• Geopolitics: Complex relations between regional countries can lead to delays in cable repairs or upgrades.

Each of these factors increases the vulnerability of the area, highlighting the importance of constant monitoring.

What does GeoCables monitor?

GeoCables actively monitors the situation in the Kalba area. We track:

• Cable status: 20 routes, including FLAG Europe-Asia, AAE-1 and PEACE Cable.
• Latency: Changes in data transmission speeds through this hub can indicate issues.
• Maritime traffic: Ship movements near cables are analyzed to prevent damage.
• Seismic activity: The region is monitored for earthquakes that could impact cables.

Through these measures, GeoCables helps minimize risks and maintain the stability of global internet connectivity.