AFR-IX Telecom’s Medusa submarine fiber optic cable system achieved a key milestone as it landed at the cable station in Marseille, marking the first landing of the 8,700 km project designed to link Southern Europe and North Africa. The initial segment will connect Marseille with Bizerte in Tunisia and Nador in Morocco, with further landings scheduled through 2026. Once completed, the system will span 19 landing points, feature up to 24 fiber pairs, and offer a capacity of 20 Tbit/s per pair, with the first phase becoming operational in early 2026.
AFR-IX CEO Norman Albi described Marseille’s selection as strategic, given its role as a leading European digital hub. Co-financed by the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the project aims to enhance cross-Mediterranean connectivity and stimulate regional economic growth.
Valued at €342 million, the Medusa initiative is both private and publicly supported, with €38.3 million in EU funding and €40 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to strengthen research and education networks. Beyond linking Europe and Africa, Medusa will connect the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Red Sea, creating a new digital corridor across 12 countries.
