February 28, 2025
In a significant move to bolster the Middle East’s digital infrastructure, stc Group and Ooredoo Oman have announced a strategic partnership to develop the Saudi Omani Network Infrastructure Corridor (SONIC). This ambitious project aims to establish a high-capacity terrestrial fiber optic network connecting Saudi Arabia and Oman, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting the growing demands of digital transformation.
Project Overview
The SONIC initiative seeks to create an integrated terrestrial fiber network featuring two redundant paths that link submarine cable landing stations and data centers across both countries. This design ensures high reliability and agility, catering to the increasing needs of hyperscalers, telecom operators, and enterprises in the region. The first phase of the project is slated for completion within 12 months, with the entire network expected to be operational within 24 months.
The network’s architecture is set to offer scalable bandwidth capabilities and low-latency connections, which are essential for cloud computing, content delivery, and real-time applications. By enhancing the existing infrastructure, SONIC will not only address the current bandwidth demands but also prepare the region for future data traffic growth.
Strategic Importance
By leveraging the unique geographic positions of Saudi Arabia and Oman, the SONIC network is poised to serve as a critical conduit for international data traffic between Asia and Europe. This corridor will complement existing and forthcoming subsea projects, offering secure, high-capacity, and efficient networks that meet the escalating demand for regional and international connectivity.
The strategic location of the SONIC corridor provides a valuable alternative to traditional submarine cables, which are often vulnerable to disruptions caused by natural and human-made factors. By establishing a reliable terrestrial route, the project aims to mitigate risks and ensure uninterrupted data flow across continents. This redundancy is expected to attract global enterprises seeking dependable connectivity solutions for their operations in the Middle East and beyond.
Leadership Perspectives
Bassam Yousef Al Ibrahim, CEO of Ooredoo Oman, emphasized the project’s alignment with Oman’s strategic vision, stating: “The SONIC project highlights Ooredoo’s leadership in shaping the future of telecommunications in Oman and the region. By connecting Ooredoo Oman’s infrastructure with stc Group, we are enabling seamless international data flow, attracting investment, and fostering innovation. This collaboration realizes a shared vision for progress and supports Oman Vision 2040 by driving economic growth and positioning the Sultanate as a key hub in the global digital ecosystem.”
Echoing this sentiment, Engineer Mohammed Alabbadi, Group Chief Carrier & Wholesale Officer at stc, remarked: “In cooperation with Shareek Program, this partnership with Ooredoo Oman reaffirms our commitment within stc Group as a digital enabler to harnessing all capabilities and expanding digital infrastructure in the MENA region. The SONIC project will be one of the key components in meeting the growing demand for regional and international connectivity through secure, high-capacity, and efficient networks.”
Economic and Technological Impact
The development of the SONIC network is expected to stimulate economic growth by attracting investments and fostering innovation across various sectors. Enhanced connectivity will facilitate seamless international data flow, positioning Oman and Saudi Arabia as pivotal hubs in the global digital ecosystem. This infrastructure will support the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) applications, cloud services, and big data initiatives, thereby accelerating the region’s digital transformation.
Furthermore, the project is set to create numerous job opportunities, both directly and indirectly. The construction, maintenance, and management of the network will require skilled professionals, thereby contributing to workforce development in the telecommunications sector. Additionally, the improved connectivity is likely to attract data centers, technology companies, and digital startups to the region, fostering a vibrant digital economy.
Complementary Initiatives
The SONIC project complements other significant undertakings aimed at enhancing regional connectivity. Notably, Ooredoo Group has embarked on the Fibre in Gulf (FIG) project, a submarine cable system connecting seven countries: Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq. This initiative aims to provide a low-latency, secure route connecting Europe, with a capacity of up to 720Tbps, thereby significantly enhancing network reliability and speed across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Additionally, Ooredoo Oman is set to land the 2Africa Cable System in Barka and Salalah, marking the most extensive subsea cable system landing in the Sultanate to date. Spanning 45,000 kilometers, the 2Africa Cable System will connect over 3 billion people across 33 countries on three continents—Africa, Asia, and Europe—upon completion. The integration of SONIC with these subsea systems will create a seamless network architecture that ensures redundancy and resilience, essential for supporting mission-critical applications and services.
The combination of terrestrial and submarine networks will provide end-to-end connectivity solutions for enterprises and government institutions across the Middle East. By reducing reliance on a single mode of transmission, this integrated approach will enhance the robustness of the region’s digital infrastructure.
Future Outlook
The collaboration between stc Group and Ooredoo Oman on the SONIC project signifies a pivotal advancement in the region’s digital infrastructure. By establishing a robust and scalable fiber optic network, both companies are not only addressing the current demands for high-speed connectivity but also future-proofing the Middle East’s position in the global digital economy.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like SONIC are instrumental in ensuring that the Middle East remains at the forefront of technological innovation and connectivity. The successful implementation of this project will likely serve as a catalyst for further collaborations and investments in the region’s digital infrastructure, ultimately contributing to sustained economic growth and technological advancement.
Furthermore, the SONIC project aligns with the broader vision of both Saudi Arabia and Oman to diversify their economies and reduce dependence on oil revenues. By investing in digital infrastructure, these nations are positioning themselves as leaders in the knowledge-based economy, attracting global technology firms and fostering local innovation.
In the coming years, the SONIC network is expected to expand, incorporating additional routes and increasing capacity to accommodate the exponential growth in data traffic. This scalability will be crucial in meeting the demands of emerging technologies, such as 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), and AI-driven applications.
Conclusion
The SONIC project represents a significant leap forward for the Middle East’s telecommunications sector. By enhancing cross-border connectivity and integrating terrestrial and submarine networks, stc Group and Ooredoo Oman are setting the stage for a new era of digital transformation in the region. As the project progresses, its impact on the economy, technology adoption, and regional integration will be closely watched by industry stakeholders and policymakers alike.
The partnership between stc Group and Ooredoo Oman serves as a model for future collaborations aimed at building a resilient and scalable digital infrastructure in the Middle East. As the region continues to embrace digital transformation, projects like SONIC will play an essential role in shaping its technological and economic landscape
