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, located on the eastern coast near the Gulf of Oman. This location is geographically ideal for submarine cable routes as it connects the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean via the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. Its positioning minimizes route lengths between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, while avoiding complex and high-risk deep-sea areas. These advantages make it a preferred hub for telecommunications network operators.

Which cables pass through Kalba?

Kalba is a landing point for 20 submarine cables, including some of the longest and most critical routes globally. These include:

• 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 connect numerous countries and billions of users, linking vital economic and technological hubs across the globe.

Who depends on Kalba?

Kalba serves as a critical hub for internet connectivity across the Middle East, South Asia, and Northeast Africa. Countries such as Egypt, Oman, Iran, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Italy, India, the Maldives, and China rely on this hub. Disruptions to cables in this area could lead to reduced internet speeds, challenges with international communications, and interruptions to cloud-based services.

Main risks in the Kalba area

Despite its strategic importance, Kalba faces several risks that could impact submarine cable operations:

• Seismic activity: Proximity to tectonically active zones increases the likelihood of earthquakes, which could potentially damage cables.
• Ship anchors: Heavy maritime traffic near the Strait of Hormuz poses risks of accidental cable damage from anchoring vessels.
• Fishing: Trawling activities, particularly in shallow waters, can damage cables.
• Sabotage: Geopolitical tensions in the region make cable infrastructure a potential target for intentional attacks.
• Geopolitics: Complex regional relations can delay cable repairs or upgrades.

These factors underscore the importance of robust monitoring and proactive risk management in the Kalba area.

What does GeoCables monitor?

GeoCables actively monitors the Kalba region to ensure the stability and reliability of global internet connectivity. Our monitoring includes:

• Cable status: Tracking 20 key routes, including FLAG Europe-Asia, AAE-1, and PEACE Cable.
• Latency: Monitoring changes in data transmission speeds to identify potential issues.
• Maritime traffic: Analyzing ship movements near cable routes to mitigate risks of damage.
• Seismic activity: Observing regional earthquake activity that could impact cables.

These measures enable GeoCables to proactively address risks and support the uninterrupted operation of critical submarine cable systems.