Major cloud providers are utilizing a new terrestrial fiber-optic network through Iraq to bypass vulnerable submarine cables and improve data transmission speeds between the Persian Gulf and Europe.

Key Points

• IQ Networks operates the "Silk Route Transit," a fiber-optic path running alongside Iraqi oil and gas pipelines that has been active since November 2023.
• The terrestrial route reduces data latency from 150 milliseconds via submarine cables to approximately 70 milliseconds, significantly benefiting financial transactions and AI applications.
• Amazon Web Services and other cloud providers are seeking alternatives after regional conflicts caused service disruptions for major banks and enterprise platforms in the Middle East.
• IQ Networks is currently extending its infrastructure through Turkey to create an unbroken land-based connection to major European data hubs by early next year.

Why it Matters

• This overland infrastructure provides a critical security backup for global cloud services as geopolitical tensions threaten traditional undersea cable routes. By leveraging existing pipeline corridors, the network offers a faster, more resilient alternative that enhances the stability of international digital commerce and communication.