The Libyan United International Company (LUIC), one of the newly established private sector companies working in the field of communications, recently inked a deal with Medusa Submarine Cable System. The goal is to connect Libya to the Medusa fiber optic submarine cable, which links several Mediterranean countries.
This impressive system spans over 8,700 kilometers and includes 24 fiber pairs with a total capacity of 480 terabits. Initially planned to connect Morocco, Portugal, Spain, France, Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt, the project, costing 342 million euros, is being funded by AFR-IX Telecom, Orange, and the European Union. Construction began in July, and completion is projected for 2025/early 2026, with an estimated operational lifespan of 25 years.
This partnership is part of ongoing efforts since 2021 by the government and private sector to revitalize the national telecommunications sector, which has faced challenges due to local socio-political conditions. In October 2022, the Libyan Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology Company (LPTIC) collaborated with the American company Cisco. In 2021, the state-owned company also signed a service agreement with the Italian-Libyan company Retelit Med and explored potential collaborations with China, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Once active, the Medusa cable is expected to enhance the quality and coverage of high-speed Internet services in Libya while also reducing its cost. This will enable millions more people to have access, meeting the growing demand.
