Algeria and Tunisia Explore New Undersea Fiber Optic Link to Italy
Algeria and Tunisia are considering the creation of a new undersea fiber optic link to Italy, aimed at strengthening their data transmission capabilities and securing their digital exchanges with Europe. This information was revealed at the end of the 4th session of the Algerian-Tunisian Joint Technical Commission on Telecommunications, held in Tunis, according to data reported by the Ecofin Agency.
Strategic Context
This reflection comes in a context where digital infrastructure is becoming a major strategic issue. Today, more than 95% of global internet traffic passes through undersea cables, making them crucial for digital economies. Any disruption or saturation can cause significant disruptions to financial services, cloud platforms, and institutional communications.
Objectives
In this context, Algiers and Tunis are seeking to create not just an additional connection, but to multiply the routes for data transmission. The goal is to reduce dependence on a few existing corridors and improve service continuity in the event of a technical or geopolitical incident.
Existing Infrastructure
Both countries already have several international access points. Algeria is connected to Europe via links to Spain and France, while Tunisia benefits from several undersea cables in the Mediterranean and participates in regional projects such as Medusa, a 8,760 km network connecting several countries in the Mediterranean basin.
Strategic Importance
The future cable to Italy would therefore be more strategic than capacity-driven. It would add a direct route to the main European digital hubs, in a context where demand for bandwidth is increasing due to the growth of cloud computing, digitalization of public services, and the rise of artificial intelligence.
Broader Discussions
In addition to the undersea infrastructure, discussions between the two countries have also covered operational topics such as reducing mobile roaming costs, coordinating networks in border areas, and developing solutions related to satellite communications and the Internet of Things.
Regional Strategy
This dynamic is part of a broader strategy to position North Africa as a digital transit space between Europe and the African continent, according to information reported by the Ecofin Agency.
