Amidst a compelling presentation at the Capacity Middle East event, Aqaba Digital Hub (ADH) announced the launch of its data center expansion by the end of Q1 2024.
The new data center with a capacity of 6 megawatts, has been integrated with a neutral internet exchange point, facilitating seamless data exchange with local telecommunications companies, internet service providers, and digital content providers. This integration significantly reduces access times and minimizes the expenses associated with data sharing.
The hub also houses a submarine cable landing station, which was recently designated to host a new submarine cable in cooperation with Telecom Egypt, connecting Taba, Egypt with Aqaba, Jordan.
ADH: MENA’s Hub for Digital Transformation in Aqaba
Telecom Review has been following the progress of Aqaba Digital Hub since its early stages.
Maximizing Aqaba’s strategic route linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, the Aqaba Digital Hub, an iconic project, aims to serve the growing demand for modern digital services in Jordan and the MENA region. Construction on the Aqaba Digital Hub officially began in 2022, and since then, they have made significant progress in addressing the growing demand for the modern digital transformation of businesses, carriers, and technology providers at both regional and international levels.
With its focus on neutral infrastructure— designed to complement, not compete, with other operators— and partnerships with key local and international organizations, the project is well-positioned to drive growth and innovation in the digital economy. Regardless of the type of industry or organization (finance, education, CDN, ISP, government, etc.), the Aqaba Digital Hub could be the solution to connect, grow and succeed in the digital age.
In an interview with Aqaba Digital Hub’s CEO, Eyad Abu Khorma, when asked about the direction of the business in 5 years, he confidently declared that they are “now more confident than ever that we are on the right track to build the Aqaba Digital Hub and become the gateway for the Middle East, translating the real meaning of a neutral facility and open access policy, platform and network.”
Aqaba Digital Hub’s considerable milestones in enabling accessibility and connectivity include successfully hosting the first IP point of presence (POP) in Aqaba for two international telecom operators along with building and operating Aqaba’s first tier-3 uptime-certified carrier-neutral data center. Moreover, AqabaIX, the first and only internet exchange (IX) in Jordan with open access and neutral policies, has successfully connected 13 networks in its first year of operation. ADH has already enabled on-demand global connectivity access in the Middle East via the Console Connect network-as-a-service (NaaS) digital platform.
In September 2023, Sparkle’s BlueMed cable, which is part of the Blue-Raman submarine cable system, landed at the carrier-neutral data centers in Aqaba. This marked a significant milestone in Aqaba Digital Hub’s journey of serving Jordan and its neighboring markets.
