Sparkle, the international arm of TIM, has recently entered into three new capacity agreements to expand the reach of the European research and education network operator, GÉANT. This expansion includes regions within Europe, Africa, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). GÉANT operates the globe’s largest network of its kind, and it supports over 50 million users through more than 10,000 scientific institutions across Europe.
The collaboration between GÉANT and Sparkle started in the early 2010s. One of the newly established routes connects the UK to Jordan. This strengthens connectivity between the Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN) and SESAME, an international research facility. This development also extends capacity between France and Egypt, connecting the Egyptian network ENSTINET to ASREN and Europe through GÉANT. These developments were made possible with support from the EUMEDplus project, co-funded by the European Union.
Sparkle has achieved a significant milestone by establishing a new connection with the West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN). This was made possible via the Lagos Global Exchange Point in Nigeria, linking through to the ZAOXI GXP in Cape Town. This marks Africa’s first interconnection of regional research and education networks within the continent.
To make this a reality, the project is co-funded by the EU’s AfricaConnect3 initiative, which supports academic and research connectivity across Africa. WACREN, ASREN, the UbuntuNet Alliance, and GÉANT play crucial roles in its implementation. “Researchers and students depend on fast, reliable connectivity to collaborate and access critical resources,” noted Bram Peeters, GÉANT’s Chief Network Services Officer. He expressed pride in working with Sparkle to enhance digital infrastructure globally.
Further, Sparkle’s Memorandum of Understanding with NaiTel, Aqaba Digital Hub’s telecom arm, and iLevant highlights plans to extend the GreenMed submarine cable system. This strategic move involves developing a digital corridor connecting Europe and Asia through Jordan. It aims to integrate the subsea cable with terrestrial networks and regional platforms in Jordan. Initiatives like this bolster connectivity resilience across the Mediterranean amid regional geopolitical challenges.
The strategic location and connectivity of the Aqaba Digital Hub position Jordan as a vital landing point for various submarine cable systems. Sparkle’s initiatives are crucial in diversifying and fortifying digital infrastructure between Europe and Asia, ensuring robust communication channels despite current global uncertainties. Through such efforts, Sparkle and its partners are paving the way for a more interconnected world.
