Gulf Bridge International Chooses Nokia to Build New High-Capacity Network Across the Middle East

Gulf Bridge International Chooses Nokia to Build New High-Capacity Network Across the Middle East

Gulf Bridge International (GBI) has officially partnered with Nokia to design and deploy a next-generation, ultra-high-capacity terrestrial network connecting key markets across the Middle East. The collaboration marks a major milestone in regional telecommunications infrastructure, aiming to deliver faster, more resilient, and scalable connectivity for cloud providers, enterprises, and global carriers.

As part of this partnership, GBI will leverage Nokia’s cutting-edge 1830 Global Express (GX) optical networking platform to construct a new terrestrial route through Iraq creating a powerful alternative to existing subsea cables and reinforcing digital resilience across the Gulf region. The initiative reflects the shared vision of both companies to enable the digital transformation of the Middle East through state-of-the-art network infrastructure.

A New Era for Regional Connectivity

Gulf Bridge International, a leading provider of global and regional connectivity services, has been at the forefront of driving digital transformation in the Middle East. Its latest collaboration with Nokia underscores a strategic commitment to advancing data infrastructure, cloud access, and high-speed communications in an increasingly digital economy.

The new terrestrial network will significantly enhance regional data flows, providing greater redundancy and reliability to customers across the Gulf, Levant, and neighboring regions. By establishing a land-based route through Iraq, GBI aims to offer an alternative high-performance pathway that reduces latency and strengthens connectivity diversity between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

According to the announcement, the deployment will utilize Nokia’s advanced optical technology, which supports service rates of 100 Gbps to 400 Gbps, and is scalable beyond 50 terabits of total capacity. This means the network will not only meet current data traffic demands but also accommodate the explosive growth of cloud services, AI workloads, and enterprise digital operations over the coming decade.

Nokia’s Optical Technology at the Core

At the heart of this ambitious project lies Nokia’s 1830 Global Express (GX) platform, a solution recognized globally for its performance, scalability, and security in high-capacity data transport.

The 1830 GX is designed to handle large-scale data traffic efficiently and is capable of adapting to dynamic service requirements across long-haul, metro, and regional networks. By integrating wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) technology and programmable photonics, the solution allows operators to push network speeds beyond 400 Gbps while maintaining energy efficiency and operational flexibility.

For GBI, this platform serves as a technological backbone for its terrestrial expansion, ensuring the delivery of robust services to hyperscalers, internet service providers (ISPs), and multinational enterprises seeking faster access to cloud applications and global interconnectivity.

Strengthening Digital Resilience

The decision to build a new terrestrial corridor reflects the growing importance of network diversity and security in a region that relies heavily on subsea cables. The Middle East, situated between Europe and Asia, has long been a strategic hub for international data exchange. However, with global internet and cloud traffic surging, dependence on limited subsea routes has exposed the region to bottlenecks and risks associated with outages or disruptions.

By introducing a terrestrial network route via Iraq, GBI aims to address these vulnerabilities and improve overall regional redundancy. The new route complements the company’s existing subsea network, enhancing resiliency, scalability, and geographic diversity across its infrastructure.

This move aligns with broader trends in the telecom industry, where providers are increasingly adopting multi-path strategies combining subsea, terrestrial, and satellite routes to ensure always-on connectivity for critical applications such as financial trading, content delivery, and cloud services.

Accelerating Cloud and AI-Driven Growth

The timing of this expansion could not be more significant. Across the Middle East, demand for cloud computing, data centers, and AI infrastructure is reaching new heights. Governments and enterprises alike are embracing cloud migration and digital transformation to support smart cities, e-government services, and emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT).

GBI’s network upgrade will enable faster, lower-latency connections to cloud service providers, such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, as well as regional data centers. This enhanced connectivity will directly support enterprises looking to deploy AI applications, big data analytics, and machine learning solutions at scale.

Moreover, the new network positions the Middle East as a competitive digital hub capable of attracting global technology investments and fostering innovation ecosystems.

Strategic Partnership for Future Growth

For Nokia, this collaboration with GBI reinforces its leadership in delivering carrier-grade optical infrastructure that empowers network operators worldwide. It also highlights Nokia’s strategic push to support digital transformation across emerging markets through advanced connectivity solutions.

Commenting on the partnership, a Nokia representative emphasized that the deployment will “unlock unprecedented capacity, speed, and reliability across the Middle East,” adding that the project “demonstrates how advanced optical solutions can accelerate the region’s journey toward a more connected digital economy.”

GBI echoed similar sentiments, noting that the collaboration is a natural extension of its mission to bridge the digital divide, enhance network performance, and contribute to the region’s long-term economic development.

Industry Implications

The GBI-Nokia partnership is part of a broader movement to expand digital infrastructure capacity across the Middle East. Regional governments have prioritized technology investment as a key pillar of economic diversification especially in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, where digital transformation initiatives are accelerating.

As AI, 5G, and edge computing become central to business operations, the demand for secure, high-bandwidth, and low-latency networks will continue to rise. The success of GBI’s terrestrial route could inspire similar initiatives among other telecom players looking to reduce their reliance on subsea connectivity and boost domestic resilience.

In addition, by anchoring infrastructure through Iraq, the project could spur new opportunities for cross-border collaboration and infrastructure modernization in one of the region’s most strategically located yet underutilized data corridors.

Looking Ahead

The rollout of the new network is expected to begin later this year, with phased deployments ensuring minimal disruption to existing services. Once fully operational, GBI’s terrestrial network will serve as a cornerstone for next-generation connectivity—supporting the region’s transition into a digital-first economy.

As enterprises, cloud providers, and carriers increasingly rely on AI-driven and high-performance connectivity, GBI’s collaboration with Nokia represents a forward-looking step toward achieving that vision. The project showcases how technological innovation, strategic partnerships, and infrastructure investment can collectively shape the future of connectivity across one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly evolving regions.

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