The Algerian Ministry of Post, Information Technology and Communications, and Alcatel-Lucent have signed an agreement for the deployment of the Orval system, an over 560-kilometer fiber-optic subsea cable that will link Oran in Algeria to Valencia, Spain.
With completion expected in 2016, the 100G system will deliver an ultimate design capacity of 20Tbps.
The cable will facilitate the delivery of broadband services to an estimated 42 million internet users in Algeria and Spain.
The Orval submarine cable system is part of the orsec plan put in place by the Algerian Ministry to reinforce the ability to face natural disasters such as the earthquake in 2003.
Alcatel-Lucent will be lead contractor in charge of designing and manufacturing the system in consortium with IT Marine who will be responsible for marine operations.
“Broadband access is a fundamental contributor to both businesses and consumers. The Orval network represents a strategic technology investment that will strengthen access to high-quality network services. Based on Alcatel-Lucent’s technology and expertise, Orval will give us an edge to continue developing our service offer to and to an increasing number of broadband users,” said Abdelhak Benkrid, General Secretary of the MPITC.