A new undersea fibre-optic cable connection, “Ugarit 2”, is to replace the existing “Ugarit” link between south Cyprus and Syria, which dates back to 1995, it has been announced.
Citing a joint statement issued today by the Cypriot and Syrian telecommunications authorities and the contracting company, SigmaLive reported that the new undersea fibre-optic link between Cyprus and Syria is due to come into service in early 2028.
“Ugarit 2” will replace the original “Ugarit” connection, established in 1995 between Pendaschinos in the Larnaca district — a key landing point for undersea communications cable systems — and the Syrian city of Tartus.
The link, to be developed in cooperation between UNIFI Communications, the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (Cyta) and the Syrian Telecommunications Establishment, will carry 24 pairs of optical cables with an initial capacity of 31 Tbps, rising to a planned total capacity of 370 Tbps in future.
Adrian Shaktu, founder and CEO of UNIFI Communications, described the project as Syria’s first major international infrastructure agreement of the post-sanctions era, saying it would “put a country of 20 million back on the map of the world’s internet connections.”
Shaktu also said the main contractor for the new system would be American, with the US Treasury Department having authorised the contractor to hold a 5% stake in the project.
Nokia will supply the fibre-optic transmission equipment for the project’s first phase, while Prysmian (NSW) will handle the cable’s undersea section.
