Construction of Azerbaijani segment of optic backbone EPEG nearing completion

Work on the construction of the Azerbaijani segment of the Europe Persia Express Gateway (EPEG) project is nearing completion, Delta Telecom official Raed Alekberli told. Alekberli noted that test run of the project is expected in the near future.

The installation of network infrastructure and international connections infrastructure is implemented under the program. Alcatel-Lucent is the telecommunications equipment provider for the construction of the cable line. The construction costs of the Azerbaijani section are more than 3 million euros.

EPEG Iranian TIC, Omantel, Rostelecom and C & W (Cable & Wireless) are participants in the project. EPEG originates in Oman and will be routed to Frankfurt. According to expectations, it must also pass through the territories of three countries whose operators do not participate in the consortium EPEG.

These are Azerbaijan, Poland and Ukraine. C&W is responsible for that segment of the route, which passes through Ukraine and Poland and Rostelecom for the segment passing through Azerbaijan. EPEGs' bandwidth will hit about 3.2 Tbit / s, and its length will reach 6,000 kilometers. The preliminary project cost is more than $200 million. The cable lain is expected to be launched in May 2012.

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