Damascus, Sept. 13 (SANA)TheMinistry of Communications and Information Technologyannounced the signing of an agreement to establish the Ebla submarine cable linkingSyria and Cyprus,moving the project into the implementation phase as part of efforts to modernizeSyria’s international connectivityand diversify communication routes.

The agreement was signed between theSyrian Company for Communications, the Cyprus Submarine Cable Authority (Cyta) and US-based UNIFI Communications Inc., according to the ministry.

The new cable will connect thecity of Tartouswith the TATCYNOS submarine cable station in Cyprus and will include 24 pairs of optical fibers, providing an initial data capacity of 31 terabits per second (Tbps) at the start of operation, with the possibility of expanding capacity to 370 Tbps.

The project is expected to enter service in early 2028 and will provide Syria with direct connectivity through Cyta’s networks toEuropean and global networks.

The Ebla cable will replace the AUGER cable, which entered service in 1995 and currently has a capacity of about 2 Tbps following equipment upgrades and capacity expansions carried out in 2025.

The ministry said the new cable would significantly increaseSyria’s available international capacities,improve communications services and support the needs of citizens, institutions and the national economy.

The project is part of a broader strategy to develop Syria’s communications infrastructure through modern submarine cables, national fiber-optic networks and regional terrestrial routes.

The ministry said plans are also underway to establish a Syrian landing station for the Medusa submarine cable, which would expand connectivity in the Mediterranean and increase international routes and options for dealing with carriers through a neutral and open-access network system.

The Ebla and Medusa projects will be complemented by cooperation withSilkLink,which is developing an open-access national fiber-optic network linking submarine cable landing stations with cities, data centers, licensed operators and border crossings.

The ministry said this integration would allow international capacities to be distributed inside Syria and support data traffic between Europe, neighboring countries, theGulf and Asia.

The ministry said expandinginternational capacitywould help reduce disruption risks by diversifying connectivity routes and enabling alternative paths in the event of outages.

The project is expected to improve access to digital services, including cloud computing,video communications,remote work and digital government services.

It will also support data hosting, local applications, e-commerce and digital transformation, while providing opportunities for Syrian companies and professionals to access reliable connectivity required for investment and economic activity.

The ministry added that wider connectivity options would strengthen competition and help provide more flexible services for users.

As part of preparations for implementing the project, marine survey work is being conducted for the cable route betweenTartous and Cyprus.

The ministry said NSW, a subsidiary of Prysmian, will carry out marine cable works, while Elettra will handle cable installation operations and Nokia will supply transmission equipment.

The project is scheduled to complete installation, testing and trial operations before entering service in early 2028, subject to licensing procedures, marine conditions and the availability of the vessels required for cable installation.

Syrian Communications andInformation Technology Minister Abdul Salam Haykalsaid the project represents an important step in strengthening Syria’s international connectivity.

“Ebla renews Syria’s direct connection with the world throughCyprus, and the upcoming Medusa cable will expand our options for connection to global networks. SilkLink will distribute these capacities through an open-access national network,” Haykal said.

He added that negotiations were continuing on additional cables linking to landing stations in Tartous and theMazra’a area in Latakia.

Haykal said the projects would contribute to improving services for citizens, providing the capacities needed for mobile communications networks and supportingSyria’s digital transformation.

Cyta Executive Chairman George Metzakis said the project would contribute to developing Cyprus’ digital infrastructure and strengthening connectivity between Syria and Cyprus.

UNIFI Communications Inc. CEO Adrian Shatku said the company was pleased to participate in the project, which would strengthen regional and global connectivity routes.