Telecom Italia’s international services arm, Sparkle, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Algérie Télécom to develop a new subsea cable system between Algeria and Italy, strengthening digital connectivity between North Africa and Europe.
The proposed system will link Annaba, Algeria, with Catania, Italy, enabling direct and high-capacity data transmission. The project aims to support rising demand for digital services, reduce latency, and enhance internet resilience across the Mediterranean. It also provides an alternative route to existing subsea infrastructure, improving redundancy and network security.
The agreement was signed by Sparkle CEO Enrico Bagnasco and Algérie Télécom CEO Adel Bentoumi in Algiers, marking a key milestone in bilateral cooperation on digital infrastructure.
“This MoU is a first step to increase cooperation between Algeria and Italy and to strengthen Sparkle’s role as a leading global operator in the Mediterranean basin,” Bagnasco said.
The cable will connect to Sparkle’s data hub in Sicily, which is already a major landing point for several intercontinental cable systems linking Europe with Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
The move comes as Italy gains momentum as a growing destination for tech and infrastructure investment. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), foreign direct investment into Italy reached $19 billion in 2023, driven by interest in digital, energy, and logistics sectors. Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) is also channeling over €40 billion into digital transformation, including next-generation networks, cloud services, and AI.
The Mediterranean region is becoming increasingly central to global data traffic, with demand for subsea bandwidth expected to grow by over 30% annually through 2028, according to TeleGeography. As Europe’s gateway to Africa and the Middle East, Italy is positioning itself as a strategic digital hub for investors and operators alike.
This Algeria–Italy cable reinforces that position and supports broader goals to expand broadband access, support data-driven economies, and foster regional digital integration.
