Abu Dhabi, UAE - etisalat has launched a major digital infrastructure expansion programme that will increase its international connectivity capacity from 20 terabits per second to more than 500 Tbps by 2030.
The programme will expand infrastructure within the UAE and internationally, while introducing more diversified connectivity routes designed to improve resilience, reliability and low-latency performance.
The investment is intended to support rising demand from artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data-intensive digital services, including the infrastructure requirements of AI campuses and global cloud providers.
The project was unveiled in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, who was briefed on the group’s plans to expand the digital infrastructure supporting the UAE’s AI ambitions and wider digital economy.
Sheikh Mansour said: "advanced digital infrastructure is an important part of supporting economic growth, innovation and the country’s long-term competitiveness."
The project coincides with etisalat’s 50th anniversary and the launch of a new strategy aimed at positioning the group as an AI-powered telecommunications company.
The strategy is built around four main business areas: telecommunications, AI and business solutions, infrastructure and fintech.
Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Alzaabi, Chairman of etisalat group, said: “Moving international connectivity from 20 terabits per second to more than 500 is a strategic step to address the growing challenges facing global data processing and data flow, particularly given the tremendous advancements in AI.”
He added that the expanded network will support AI campuses, global cloud providers and customers across the group’s international markets while strengthening reliability and digital sovereignty.
etisalat operates across 38 countries and serves more than 250 million subscribers, giving the infrastructure programme a reach that extends well beyond the UAE.
The expansion is expected to play a central role in supporting the group’s next phase of growth as demand for AI computing, cloud services and high-capacity international data connectivity continues to increase.
