Gulf Bridge International (GBI) is joining forces with Nokia to build a high-capacity terrestrial network across the Middle East. The project will upgrade the regionโs optical infrastructure with the latest technology. People using the high-capacity network can expect faster access to digital services. Connections should feel smoother. They will also be more reliable, keeping up with the growing demand across the region. The network is set to deliver 100G-400G services, giving cloud providers, enterprises, and carriers stronger performance and steadier connections.
As part of the deal, GBI will deploy Nokiaโs 1830 Global Express (GX) optical platform. The platform will create a new terrestrial route through Iraq. This route provides an alternative to existing paths and improves resilience for regional and international data traffic. This route provides a different path from the existing ones. It makes the network more resilient and gives regional and international data traffic greater flexibility. It runs alongside existing subsea connections, increasing diversity, reducing latency, and making the network more robust overall. When it goes live, the network will provide more than 50 terabits (TB) of capacity, meeting the rising demand for reliable and scalable bandwidth across the regionโs growing digital economy.
Eng. Ahmad Mohamed AL-Kuwari, CEO of Gulf Bridge International, commented: โThe award of Nokia for this new network represents a major step forward in delivering enhanced connectivity to our customers and partners. By collaborating with Nokia and leveraging the latest 1830 GX platform, we are creating a robust, high-capacity network that strengthens regional resilience and supports digital transformation across key markets. This project reinforces GBIโs commitment to enabling reliable, high-quality infrastructure that fuels economic growth and innovation.โ
Roque Lozano, Senior Vice President, Network Infrastructure, Middle East and Africa, Nokia, added: โThis partnership with GBI will shape the regionโs next phase of digital growth. Nokiaโs 1830 GX Platform gives GBI the speed, scale, and resilience needed to keep pace with surging data demand while supporting more sustainable connectivity across the region.โ
By combining advanced optical technology with strategic terrestrial routing, GBIโs new network positions the company to meet the evolving needs of enterprises, telecom operators, and content providers, while reinforcing the Middle East as a key digital hub connecting Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.