Etisalat unveils plan to boost connectivity capacity to more than 500Tbps by 2030

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, has witnessed the launch of Etisalat Group’s strategic project to expand digital infrastructure capacity in the UAE and international markets as the country prepares for rising demand from artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

Sheikh Mansour, who is also Chairman of the Emirates Investment Authority, Etisalat Group’s main shareholder, was briefed on the group’s plans to develop digital infrastructure to support the growth of AI technologies and digital services.

Under the project, Etisalat plans to increase its international connectivity capacity to more than 500 terabits per second (Tbps) by 2030, up from 20Tbps currently. The expansion will also introduce diversified connectivity routes designed to improve reliability, efficiency, and low-latency performance.

Sheikh Mansour highlighted the role of digital infrastructure in supporting emerging technologies and a knowledge-based economy, while stressing the importance of coordinated national efforts to advance the UAE’s ambitions in AI and the digital economy.

“The UAE continues to invest in building advanced digital infrastructure, guided by its vision for the future and its belief that readiness for what comes next starts with having the enablers that support economic growth, accelerate innovation and strengthen the country’s global competitiveness,” said Sheikh Mansour.

“AI is a central pillar in our development journey moving forward, and developing our digital capabilities creates the ecosystem needed to harness its potential and ensure that every institution in this country, public and private, is empowered to build and innovate with AI, at the scale the coming decade will demand,” he added.

H.E. Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Alzaabi, Chairman of Etisalat Group, said: “This project reflects our conviction that the UAE should not simply adopt AI, but govern it and build with it. That requires digital infrastructure at a scale that would prepare us for the future.”

He discusses how increasing international connectivity is a strategic step toward addressing the challenges facing global data processing and data flows.

“Delivered through diversified routes and low-latency design, the project is set to keep the country’s connection to the global digital economy fast, direct and resilient, while ensuring the UAE’s digital sovereignty,” he added, noting that the project reflects the group’s 50-year commitment to building infrastructure that supports the nation.