AFR-IX Telecom

AFR-IX Telecom is an African internet exchange point company specialized in submarine telecommunications. ^[1]

History

In January 2022, AFR-IX announced its Medusa Subsea Cable System, an 8700 km submarine cable system consisting of 24 fiber pairs. The €326 million cost is partially financed by the European Investment Bank. ^[2] Medusa Subsea Cable System connects Lisbon and Sines, Portugal to Port Said, in Egypt; Barcelona, Torreguadiaro, Zahara, and Alacant in Spain; Tétouan and Nador in Morocco; Bizerte in Tunisia; Algiers and Collo in Algeria; Marseille in France; Mazara del Vallo in Italy; Yeroskipou in Cyprus; and Tympaki in Greece. ^{[3] [4]}

In March 2022, Telecom Egypt reached an agreement with AFR-IX at the 2022 Mobile World Congress to provide infrastructure for Medusa Subsea Cable System across Egypt. ^[5] AFR-IX telecom established a point of presence (PoP) in Lagos in 2021 ^[6] and Accra in December 2022. ^[7]

In 2023, AFR-IX partnered with Libyan United International for Telecommunication and Technology (LUIC) to land the cable in Tripoli and Benghazi. ^[8] Colt Technology Services became the first terrestrial client of AFR-IX's Barcelona cable landing station (CLS) in January 2023. ^{[9] [10]}

In February 2025, Tunisie Telecom signed a partnership agreement with Medusa Subsea Cable System for its 5G services. ^{[11] [12]} AFR-IX Telecom secured a €14.3 million grant from the European Commission to extend the Medusa Subsea Cable System into West Africa in March 2025. ^[13] The service will also extend to Democratic Republic of Congo. ^[14]

References

1. "AFR-IX Telecom launches Barcelona Cable Landing Station, a submarine fiber-optic digital open port that will strengthen connections between Europe and America". Capacity Media. 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
2. "AFR-IX to build €326m Medusa cable". Capacity Media. 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
3. Comment, Dan Swinhoe (2022-12-14). "Medusa cable system to land at Orange cable landing station in Marseille, France". www.datacenterdynamics.com. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
4. Comment, Georgia Butler (2023-07-04). "Construction of Medusa subsea cable commences". www.datacenterdynamics.com. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
5. El-Din, Mohamed Alaa (2022-03-01). "MWC Barcelona: Telecom Egypt signs agreement with AFR-IX for Medusa's landing station". Dailynewsegypt. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
6. Ani, Micheal (2021-02-12). "AFR-IX telecom establishes strategic regional point of presence at Rack Centre". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
7. R 0, Aparna. "ARF-IX Telecom Establishes Point of Presence at Onix Data Centre". telecomtalk.info. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
8. Comment, Dan Swinhoe (2023-11-09). "Medusa subsea cable to land in Libya". www.datacenterdynamics.com. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
9. "Colt becomes first carrier to link to Barcelona CLS". Capacity Media. 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
10. "Barcelona Cable Landing Station ready for first submarine fiber optic cables". www.catalannews.com. 2022-10-13. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
11. "Tunisie Telecom rejoint le système Medusa, le plus long système de câble sous-marin en Méditerranée". JawharaFM. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
12. nadiya, jennene (2025-02-09). "Un pas de géant pour la connectivité en Tunisie : Tunisie Telecom s'associe à Medusa | THD - Tunisie Haut Debit". www.thd.tn (in French). Retrieved 2025-03-18.
13. "EU funds €14.3m for Medusa subsea cable expansion into West Africa". Capacity Media. 2025-03-13. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
14. Comment, Niva Yadav (2025-03-17). "AFR-IX secures $15.6m of EU funding for Medusa subsea cable expansion to West Africa". www.datacenterdynamics.com. Retrieved 2025-03-18.