PRESS RELEASE
Telecom Egypt and 4iG sign an MoU to construct a high capacity subsea cable between Egypt and Albania
The agreement enables 4iG Group to enter as a new player the market for intercontinental data transmission infrastructure between Europe and Asia, and Europe and East Africa.
4 October 2023: Telecom Egypt, Egypt’s first integrated telecom operator and one of the largest subsea cables operators in the region, and 4iG Plc,the Budapest-based info-communications company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to link Egypt and Albania via a point-to-point high capacity subsea cable. With an open access model and multiple branching units, the system is set up to be a new European cable entry point with a different transit passage compared to the already existing Mediterranean routes to the main internet Point of Presence (PoP) such as the ones in Frankfurt in addition to numerous potential Points of Presence in Eastern Europe.
The two companies aim
                                 to gain a significant share of the huge and rapidly growing market of data
                                 traffic between Europe and Asia, and also between Europe and East Africa. 
The agreement enables
                                 4iG Group to enter as a new player the market for intercontinental data
                                 transmission infrastructure between Europe and Asia, and Europe and East
                                 Africa.
The
                                 agreement, which was signed in Cairo by the MD & CEO of Telecom Egypt and the
                                 Chairman of Board of 4iG Plc. 
Albania
                                 is privileged with its strategic location as one of the prominent gateways and
                                 entry points to Eastern Europe. Backed with a secured cross-borders terrestrial
                                 infrastructure, it will facilitate onward connectivity and access to various
                                 key destinations. 
Mohamed Nasr,
                                    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Telecom Egypt, commented: 
“We
                                    are pleased to cooperate with 4iG, which sets the ground for adding a brand new
                                    diverse entry point to Europe, facilitating the routing of the African and
                                    Asian traffic to the main Points of Presence in Europe. This goes in line with
                                    Telecom Egypt’ strategy to diversify the Mediterranean basin crossing options through
                                    open and resilient routes from Egypt to Europe to increase our partners
                                    connectivity options. Our continuous endeavors to collaborate with industry
                                    mega industry players stems from our keenness to offer seamless connectivity
                                    options to our partners and ultimately to the end users both regionally and globally.”
                                    
The subsea
                                 cable system will be leveraging the newly-launched open and neutral ecosystem,
                                 “WeConnect”, as an enabler ensuring seamless cross-connection with multiple
                                 subsea systems and offering our customers robust connectivity solutions and
                                 access to Egypt’s rich infrastructure. 
Gellért Jászai,
                                    Chairman of Board of Directors at 4iG, stated: 
“The
                                    signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with Telecom Egypt represents a
                                    significant milestone for 4iG Group. Leveraging our extensive experience in the
                                    Central and Eastern European transit business, this partnership marks our entry
                                    into a new and strategically important business field: intercontinental
                                    connectivity. The Group further strengthens its presence in the regional market
                                    with the establishment of a new data gateway in Albania for the Balkans, and
                                    the expansion of international optical transit routes will create new
                                    opportunities for cooperation with countries in the region.”
With an
                                 established history of over 165 years, and a vast expertise in pioneering the
                                 subsea intercontinental connectivity, Telecom Egypt is the partner-of-choice for
                                 a growing 160 major subsea cable players worldwide. The company spares no
                                 effort to develop a varied portfolio of offerings using cutting-edge solutions
                                 to keep pace with the increasing global demand for international connectivity
                                 and diversity, while providing the shortest and most reliable routes for its
                                 global partners. This has been evident through the significant investments
                                 Telecom Egypt has made to diversify its subsea cables infrastructures from
                                 landing points and cable systems to both terrestrial and subsea routes, whether
                                 inside Egypt or in other varied locations worldwide. 
- END
                                    -
Budapest, 4 Oct 2023
Background information:
About 4iG
4iG Plc, a Hungarian
                                 majority-owned company based in Budapest, Hungary, is the leading
                                 telecommunications and IT group in Hungary and the Western Balkans, and one of
                                 the leading companies in the knowledge-based, digital economy. Listed on the
                                 Budapest Stock Exchange, the Group's fresh and innovative approach and its
                                 position as Hungary's leading IT systems integrator make it a leading business
                                 service provider in the region's digital transformation. 4iG's dynamic
                                 expansion strategy has made it a dominant player in the Hungarian and Western
                                 Balkan telecommunications markets. The Group is continuously expanding its
                                 services, expertise, and portfolio to meet the changing needs and demands of
                                 the telecom and IT markets. The 4iG Group employs more than 8,000 people. www.4iG.hu
About Telecom Egypt
Telecom Egypt is the first integrated telecom operator in Egypt providing all telecom services to its customers including fixed and mobile voice and data services. Telecom Egypt has a long history serving Egyptian customers for over 160 years maintaining a leadership position in the Egyptian telecom market by offering its enterprise and consumer customers the most advanced technology, reliable infrastructure solutions and the widest network of submarine cables. Aside from its mobile operation “WE”, the company owns a 45% stake in Vodafone Egypt. Telecom Egypt’s shares and GDRs (Ticker: ETEL.CA; TEEG.LN) are traded on The Egyptian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. Please refer to Telecom Egypt’s full financial disclosure on ir.te.eg
More
                                    information:
For more information, contact: The investor relations teamEmail: investor.relations (@) te.eg