Doha Qatar, 12th April 2011: Gulf Bridge International (GBI), the Middle East's first privately owned submarine cable operator, and Qtel, one of the region's leading telecommunications companies, today announced the landing of the GBI cable in Qatar, which will connect to the new purpose-built Qtel landing station.

This is second of two GBI cable landings in Qatar and one of ten planned cable landings around the Gulf region. To be launched later this year, the GBI Cable System is a high capacity, fiber-optic communications cable which will connect all the countries of the Gulf region to each other and provide onward connectivity to Europe, Africa and Asia. The GBI Cable System will offer the most comprehensive geographic reach of any subsea network in the region.

GBI's Board Member and CEO, Mr. Ahmed Mekky welcomed this milestone for GBI and for Qatar: "Our landing with Qtel is another significant step towards this year's launch. I am very pleased that we are working with Qtel to increase international bandwidth and provide greater diversity and resilience for consumers and businesses in Qatar." He continued, "The double landing of the GBI cable system in Qatar will further enhance Qatar's position in the region as a strategic business and communications hub."

Ahmed Al-Derbesti, Executive Director, International Services, Qtel, said: "Qtel's international connectivity strategy aims to position Qatar as one of the best connected countries in the world, and the successful landing of the GBI cable is another important stage in this journey. The new connection, supported by the superior technology of the purpose-built Qtel landing station, will ensure seamless and un-interrupted communication for Qatar and the wider region."

Qtel's international connectivity strategy has seen the company develop a world-class network throughout Qatar, supported by connections with global networks to help improve connectivity and provide the foundations for next generation communication technology. Qtel provides the most reliable network in Qatar through its network of international connections and its ongoing investment in world-class infrastructure.

Within the coming months, the cable ship "Responder" will continue the installation process of the GBI Cable System, which is configured as a self-healing ring within the Gulf. The GBI Cable System deploys several state-of-the-art technologies, such as the new dual-stage repeaters and wavelength monitoring units that guarantee flawless and error-free operations throughout the entire system.

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