UAE Launches Project to Boost Connectivity to 500 Terabits

The United Arab Emirates has launched a strategic project to expand its domestic and international digital infrastructure, aiming to increase international connectivity capacity from 20 terabits per second to over 500 terabits per second by 2030. The initiative, led by the telecommunications group e&, seeks to establish the country as a global hub for artificial intelligence and advanced technology by improving data flow efficiency, reliability, and latency.

This project marks the first major commitment under a new AI-focused strategy from e& that spans financial technology, infrastructure, and AI business solutions. As part of its 50th anniversary, e& announced it will retain the Etisalat identity while transitioning into an AI-powered telecommunications leader.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized that digital infrastructure is a pillar of the future economy, stating that readiness for the next phase requires capabilities that support economic growth and global competitiveness. Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi noted that the project ensures digital sovereignty and reflects a conviction that the UAE's role extends to governing and innovating through artificial intelligence.