Skikda, Algeria – Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Sid Ali Zerrouki, today laid the foundation stone for the landing point of the ‘Medusa’ undersea fiber optic cable in El Kala, Skikda province. This event marks a significant step in Algeria’s strategy to diversify its internet sources and enhance its international connectivity.
The ‘Medusa’ project, which commenced in October from Algiers port, is a strategic initiative designed to bolster the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure and provide high-capacity international links. This ambitious undertaking spans over 8,700 kilometers, connecting more than 10 countries across the Mediterranean Sea. With a transmission capacity of 20 terabits per second, ‘Medusa’ is poised to become one of the region’s largest undersea cable projects.
The project incorporates two landing points in Algeria, located in Algiers and El Kala, directly connecting to stations in Southern Europe. The primary objective is to meet the escalating demand for high-bandwidth internet services, particularly those related to 5G technology and cloud computing. Furthermore, it aims to enhance the security and resilience of digital networks by diversifying undersea connectivity routes. This initiative solidifies Algeria’s role as a strategic digital hub linking Europe and Africa, aligning with presidential directives to diversify internet supply sources.
This project underscores Algeria’s commitment to becoming a key player in the global digital landscape. The timeline for this initiative began in 2020, encompassing study and contracting phases. The implementation phase, spanning from 2023 to 2026, anticipates the eastern section of the project to be operational by the end of 2026, with full service commencing in early 2027.
