Beyon makes biggest investment in Bahrain’s digital infrastructure
Beyon’s global network infrastructure will get a significant boost when it joins the SEA-ME-WE 6 cable system, linking Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
The new subsea cable will have the capability of transferring more than 100 terabits per second.
Batelco, a Beyon Group firm, is also investing in the Al Khaleej Subsea Cable, to extend from Bahrain to other regional countries including Oman, the UAE and Qatar which will help to diversify routes and augment international connectivity for the region.
Announcing another major initiative supporting the ever-growing data movement, group chief executive Mikkel Vinter told a Press conference at Beyon’s Hamala Campus yesterday that it will develop Bahrain’s biggest and most advanced data centre within Beyon Data Oasis, on a 140,000sqm site located in the south of Bahrain.
Beyon Data Oasis will incorporate the SEA-ME-WE 6 and the Al Khaleej cables into the data centre.
Furthermore, the new data centre will feature multiple megawatt power capacity and utilise clean power technologies provided by the company’s solar park, aligning with its sustainability plans to increase alternative power sources, he added.
Beyon chairman Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa praised the major announcements that were made, noting that a robust connectivity infrastructure is central to the growth of the digital economy and that these major initiatives will support the acceleration of the digital future for Bahrain in line with Vision 2030.
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority general director Phillip Marnick who attended the event said, “This is a very important announcement that will have a significant impact on the development of a robust digital connectivity infrastructure for Bahrain.
“The deployment of advanced technologies for citizens, residents and businesses gives them access to the latest communication solutions, and also further enhances the kingdom’s position as a leading digital hub.”
Also addressing the Press conference, SEA-ME-WE 6 Management Committee chairman Yue Meng Fai said, “We are very happy to welcome Batelco to the consortium, which will directly connect Bahrain to the cable and enhance the overall coverage of the SEA-ME-WE 6.
“With millions of people living and working remotely today, this new cable system will support all partners to provide superior broadband access along this multi-regional data superhighway, enabling them to meet and exceed capacity demands of their customers. By building more capacity and flexibility we are ensuring readiness for future needs.”
In addition to Beyon in Bahrain, the SMW6 consortium includes its sister company Dhiraagu in the Maldives and additionally Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company, Bharti Airtel (India), China Unicom, Djibouti Telecom, Mobily (Saudi Arabia), Orange (France), PCCW Global, Singtel (Singapore), Sri Lanka Telecom, Telecom Egypt, TM (Malaysia), Telin (Indonesia) and Trans World Associates (Pakistan).
The SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable connectivity to Bahrain and Al Khaleej Cable are expected to be completed by Q2-2026.
