Syria and Cyprus have signed an agreement to build the UGARIT 2 subsea cable, a 240-kilometre submarine cable that will connect the two countries across the Mediterranean. The project involves UNIFI Communications, the Syrian Telecommunications Establishment and the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority.
The new subsea cable is planned to run from Pentaskhinos in Cyprus to Tartous on Syria’s Mediterranean coast. It will replace the original UGARIT system, which has served as a key part of Syria’s international connectivity since 1995.
UGARIT 2 Subsea Cable to Link Cyprus and Syria
The UGARIT 2 submarine cable will span 240 kilometres beneath the Mediterranean Sea. The planned route between Pentaskhinos and Tartous is designed to restore and improve Syria’s connection to international networks. The original UGARIT cable has been in service for three decades, and the new subsea cable system is intended to bring modern fibre capacity to the route.
UNIFI Communications is partnering with the Syrian Telecommunications Establishment and the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority on the project. The agreement lays the foundation for building critical telecom infrastructure that could support Syria’s efforts to rebuild its digital infrastructure after years of disruption.
New Cable Starts With 31 Tbps Capacity
The UGARIT 2 subsea cable will feature 24 fibre pairs. At launch, the system is expected to deliver an initial capacity of 31 Tbps. The design also allows for future expansion, with the potential to reach as much as 370 Tbps as demand grows.
These capacity figures position the cable as a significant upgrade over the original UGARIT system. The combination of 24 fibre pairs and scalable bandwidth means the submarine cable could serve growing international connectivity requirements in the region for years to come.
UGARIT 2 Targets Stronger International Connectivity
Beyond replacing ageing infrastructure, the UGARIT 2 project carries broader strategic importance for regional connectivity. The new subsea cable could help position Syria as a connectivity gateway between Europe, the Gulf and Asia, according to the project partners.
Rebuilding Syria’s digital infrastructure is central to the aims of the project. Reliable international bandwidth is essential for economic recovery, and a modern submarine cable linking Syria to Cyprus, and through Cyprus to European networks would strengthen the country’s position within Mediterranean connectivity routes.
The agreement between UNIFI Communications, the Syrian Telecommunications Establishment and the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority represents a concrete step toward delivering that improved connectivity. Construction timelines and further technical details are expected to follow as the project progresses.