The two operators collaborate to expand new international connectivity solutions, with Mobily leveraging Sparkle’s network
This collaboration leverages Saudi Arabia’s strategic position to offer a low-latency route between Asia and Europe, improving global connectivity.
During Mobily’s participation as a Digital Infrastructure Founding Partner of the first edition of Connected World KSA conference hosted in Riyadh, Sparkle, the first international service provider in Italy and among the top global operators, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mobily a leading innovator in the Telecommunications, Media, and Technology (TMT) sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to enhance connectivity solutions through Sparkle’s state-of-the art new submarine cable systems, advanced undersea telecommunications infrastructure that seamlessly links key regions between Europe and the Middle East.
Under the MoU, Sparkle and Mobily have outlined a strategic agreement under which Mobily is finalizing the acquisition of fibre from Sparkle’s advanced submarine cable systems which will enable seamless connectivity with strategic drop points in Chania, Palermo, Milan, and Marseille, further enhancing Mobily’s international network capabilities. The project is expected to be fully completed in 2025.
Building on this MoU and the new digital path announced in October 2024 by Sparkle and Mobily, network providers, ISPs, OTTs, content and application providers, and enterprises will benefit from highly reliable, low latency route with scalable capacity options. Clients will also gain access to the extensive networks of both Mobily and its partners, leveraging a rich portfolio of services including Layer-1, Layer-2, and IP solutions. These offerings provide virtual access to major Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), ensuring seamless global connectivity. Additionally, customers will benefit from Mobily’s extensive services within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Sparkle’s comprehensive services across Italy and Europe.
“Our collaboration with Sparkle strengthens the resilience of global network connectivity between the East, the Middle East, and Europe. This partnership supports the expansion of data centers and fosters content diversification for OTT platforms and hyperscalers in the region, enabling robust digital growth and innovation” said Thamer A. Alfadda, SVP Wholesale of Mobily. “We are delighted to collaborate with Sparkle on this significant and impactful project, marking an important milestone in our partnership.”
“We are pleased to cooperate with Mobily to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s primary and pivotal role in the digitalization of the region and reinforce the Kingdom as a strategic digital hub enabling better communication between Europe, the Middle East and beyond,” said Enrico Bagnasco, CEO of Sparkle.
About Sparkle
Sparkle is TIM Group’s Global Operator, first international service provider in Italy and among the top worldwide, offering a full range of infrastructure and global connectivity services – capacity, IP, SD-WAN, colocation, IoT connectivity, roaming and voice – to national and international Carriers, OTTs, ISPs, Media/Content Providers, and multinational enterprises. A major player in the submarine cable industry, Sparkle owns and manages a network of more than 600,000 km of fiber spanning from Europe to Africa and the Middle East, the Americas and Asia. Its sales force is active worldwide and distributed over 33 countries.Find out more about Sparkle following its X and LinkedIn profiles or visiting the website tisparkle.com
About Mobily (Etihad Etisalat Company)
Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) is a Saudi company launched as the second Telecom service provider of KSA in May 2005. Mobily provides integrated services for three main sectors, individuals, businesses, and carriers. It has one of the largest wireless network coverages in Saudi Arabia and one of the widest FTTH networks in addition to diverse data centres spanned across multiple cities in KSA. Mobily lands 3 major Submarine cables in KSA as on date – AAE1, TGN (EA) & TGN (Gulf). Mobily also invested in the upcoming cables Africa1 & SMW6 to land in KSA which is expected to be operational by 2026. It is also working on various projects to enhance the diverse connectivity in the Middle East though multiple submarine & terrestrial cable initiatives in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Sparkle Media Contacts:
X: @TISparkle
