Alcatel-Lucent and LITC to deploy new 1000 km undersea cable system linking Tripoli to Benghazi

Alcatel-Lucent has signed a turnkey contract with the Libyan International Telecommunication Company (LITC) to build a new 1000 km undersea cable system linking the country’s capital, Tripoli, to Benghazi, and providing the broadband connectivity needed in support of ongoing efforts to revive the Libyan economy.

The system will play a critical role in the reconstruction Libya’s telecom infrastructure improving the levels of connectivity and communication reliability needed for business, public sector and consumer applications, particularly at a time when global demand for broadband services continues to grow. Based on Alcatel-Lucent‘s 100G technology and a cable optimised with coherent submarine fibre, the system will ultimately carry capacity in excess of 10 Tbps per fibre pair and is expected to be ready for completion mid-2015.

Dr Mohmoud Aujali, Chairman of LITC, said: “Broadband connectivity is a major growth opportunity for the foreseeable future and the development of a robust telecommunication infrastructure is vital. With the help of Alcatel-Lucent, our new submarine cable system promises a significant contribution the overall developments that are being undertaken to improve standard of living for Libyans.”