Du Backs SING Cable Linking Asia and the Gulf

UAE operator joins submarine project targeting 2030 launch as data demand from cloud and AI drives need for new routes

16 Feb 2026

UAE telecoms operator du has joined a new submarine cable project linking Singapore, India and the Gulf, as it seeks to strengthen its role in the fast-growing data corridor between Asia and the Middle East.

The system, known as the Singapore India Gulf (SING) cable, is designed to connect south-east Asia, India and Gulf states through a high-capacity fibre network. The project is targeting a ready-for-service date of around 2030.

Du will host a landing point for the cable at its Kalba station on the UAE’s east coast, positioning the country as a gateway for traffic moving between Asia and the Middle East. The company said the investment forms part of a broader strategy to expand its international connectivity as demand for data rises.

Data flows between Asia and the Gulf have grown at double-digit rates in recent years, driven by cloud computing, video streaming and artificial intelligence workloads. Such applications require large volumes of data to move quickly and reliably across borders.

Submarine cables remain the backbone of global internet traffic, carrying more than 95 per cent of intercontinental data. New routes not only increase capacity but also improve resilience by allowing operators to reroute traffic during outages or periods of geopolitical tension.

Financial terms of du’s participation have not been disclosed. The project is being developed by Datawave Networks, with financial backing linked to Cerberus Capital Management. Early-stage funding is often critical for large-scale cable systems, which require substantial upfront capital and face long development timelines.

The UAE has set out plans to position itself as a digital hub bridging Asia, Africa and Europe. Hosting major cable landings supports that ambition by attracting data centres, cloud providers and international carriers.

Competition, however, is intensifying. Global technology groups and rival telecom operators are investing in their own subsea infrastructure to secure capacity and reduce reliance on third parties.

As construction progresses towards the 2030 target, SING will test whether regional operators such as du can translate infrastructure investments into a stronger role in the global data economy.