The Mediterranean region is expected to see a major growth in the submarine communication cables sector over the next decade due to surging consumption of data and increased broadband infrastructure and international connectivity needs. The market is set to reach USD 5,494.8 million by 2035, from USD 2,006.3 million in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 12.6% between 2025 and 2035.
So basically on their day-to-day life, submarine cables are an enabling or supporting factor for high-speed internet, global communication, and high-capacity data transmission from continents to continents. Since Mediterranean is an important route for the flow of data between Europe, Middle East, and Africa, investment in development and upgrades of submarine cable systems will accelerate.
Market Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025E) | USD 2,006.3 Million |
| Market Value (2035F) | USD 5,494.8 Million |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 12.6% |
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Egypt has a special strategic position in the global submarine communication cable, connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea and serves as one of the main paths transpersion traffic data between Europe, Asia and Africa. Egypt has the Suez Canal corridor in its territory over which around 90% of data traffic take place between Europe and Asia.
In particular, the country is investing in terrestrial infrastructure and more cable landing stations for redundancy and security purposes. As a national initiative striving to become an international digital corridor, Egypt cements its place as an essential pillar in building the global Internet infrastructure.
Egypt's government is making significant investments in data infrastructure, including new subsea cable projects that will increase capacity and improve connectivity with regional and international markets. The strategic location is also essential for Africa-to-Asia and African-to-European cable systems, strengthening its global importance in digital infrastructure building.
Portugal is becoming an important hub of submarine cable networks in the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic. Geographically situated on the southwest periphery of Europe, it is a crucial landing site for trans-Atlantic and Mediterranean cable systems.
High-capacity cables like Ella Link, which will link Portugal to Brazil, as well as several upcoming projects, have turned Portugal into a central node for this data exchange. Constant investments in coastal infrastructure and data centres, specifically in Lisbon and Sines, are allowing Portugal to establish itself as a digital gateway between continents.
Also, the government has been supportive of initiatives to develop the digital economy, laying the conditions for the expansion of submarine cable system systems. Portugal is well supported for long-term presence of submarine cables due to the increased demand for both high-speed Internet and cloud services, and a long-term interest of Portugal to be not only a top place in the world in the availability of waters, but also as a European tech hub.
Spain has emerged as a key player in the Mediterranean submarine communication cable market and as a crossroads between Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Cities along its coast, like Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao, are ideal landing spots for numerous major transcontinental cable systems.
With government-backed digitalization initiatives and collaborations with international cloud providers, Spain is experiencing strong digital infrastructure growth. The growing demand for cloud services, content delivery, and edge computing makes Spain such an increasingly desirable location for data hubs and submarine cable projects that improve regional and international connectivity.
The growth of Spain as a digital infrastructure leader is driven in part by expanding existing cable networks and building new subsea cables. The need for enhanced and resilient communication networks will only continue to grow, as Spain continues to develop a stronger role in the global digital trade.
Challenges
Regulatory Complexity, Aging Infrastructure, and Geopolitical Risks
The Mediterranean submarine communication cable market is divided into several regional and country-level analyses. They face regulatory complexity, which can lead to long permitting and deployment timelines, especially with projects that cross multiple jurisdictions. Countries such as Spain could be held back by dated infrastructure, unless upgrades are made in time.
Many cables in Egypt are on a concentrated terrestrial route, which poses a threat to data redundancy. Geopolitical tensions in surrounding areas, such as maritime territorial disputes and regional instability, are likely to affect the long-term security of infrastructure and attractiveness for investment.
Opportunities
Strategic Positioning, Digital Transformation, and Growing Cloud Demand
As global data threatens to engulf the world and cross-continental visibility demand markets at points of presence across the Mediterranean, economic and digital evolution of the smaller terrestrial markets present a vast opportunity in the region. Spain, Egypt and Portugal are some nations capitalizing on their geographic advantages to draw global investments in undersea infrastructure. Growth in data centers, tech ecosystems and 5G build-outs further shall augment demand for high-capacity cable systems.
These innovations allow for a more reliable and affordable infrastructure solution, contributing to new opportunities for innovation and growth throughout the region, driven by breakthroughs in cable technologies, artificial intelligence-based monitoring, and improved route optimization.
Between 2025 and 2035, the submarine communication cable market is anticipated to expand in the Mediterranean region. Cloud computing, IoT components and the expansion of 5G networks are further driving the need for strong and reliable submarine cable infrastructure. The Mediterranean is also becoming an essential center of data exchange between Europe and Africa, as well as for the Asia-Pacific, with critical landing spots in Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Also, the push for low-latency high-capacity data transfer is pushing technological developments among designs of new submarine cables. Requirements have been met by laying new high-bandwidth transparent fiber-optic cables that are high-tech and protected. The diversification of economies and the increasing reliance on international telecommunications, as well as data centers, will contribute to the growth of the market.
Market Shifts: 2020 to 2024 vs. 2025 to 2035
| Key Dimensions | 2020 to 2024 |
|---|---|
| Technology Adoption | Traditional fiber -optic cables with standard bandwidth capacity |
| Key Applications | Intercontinental data transmission, telecommunication networks |
| Geopolitical Impact | Regional collaborations between Europe and North Africa |
| Sustainability Focus | Limited emphasis on environmental impact |
| Investment in Infrastructure | Growing investments in Mediterranean cable landing points |
| Regulatory Landscape | Basic compliance with international standards |
| Geographic Hotspots | Southern Europe (e.g., Spain, Italy), North Africa (e.g., Egypt) |
| R&D Investment Focus | Fiber -optic technology and bandwidth expansion |
| Key Dimensions | 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|
| Technology Adoption | High-capacity fiber -optic cables, 5G integration, low-latency cables |
| Key Applications | Data centers , cloud computing, 5G backhaul, internet exchanges |
| Geopolitical Impact | Increased investments in infrastructure, security concerns, and cross-border cooperation |
| Sustainability Focus | Eco-friendly materials, reduced environmental footprint in installation |
| Investment in Infrastructure | Significant investment in international consortiums, especially for new routes linking Europe, Africa, and Asia |
| Regulatory Landscape | Tightened regulations for cable installation, data privacy, and cross-border data transfer |
| Geographic Hotspots | Expansion of landing points along the Eastern Mediterranean , and North Africa , connecting more remote regions |
| R&D Investment Focus | High-capacity systems, sustainable cable production, automated installation processes |
The submarine communication cable market in Greece is expected to grow at a considerable rate as the country’s strategic location makes it a preferred destination for the communication networks connecting Europe, Africa and Asia.
With the heightened need for speed and reliability through the lens of continual digitalisation, the demand for internet services is a primary motivating factor in the increase in submarine cable businesses in Greece. Greece's involvement in a number of international submarine cable projects has also improved the country's connectivity and market opportunities.
The government’s focus on getting digital separation of broadband and cross-border communications on undersea routers are creating a perfect storm of its market expansion. These new data connections even after they get repaired will bring an exponential increase in the global positioning of Greece in that sector while also creating higher demand for submarine cables in the near future, especially in light of the most advanced technological trends as we can see with 5G.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Greece | 11.3% |
Located at the gateway between Europe and Africa, Morocco is emerging as a key player in the submarine communication cable market in the Mediterranean region. The development of Morocco's digital infrastructure and its increasing role in global connectivity is crucial for the demand for submarine communication cables. The growth of the market in the long term is anticipated with the participation of Morocco in the international projects and its plans to develop data centers and telecom infrastructure.
Another driver of the market is governments’ efforts to improve access to the internet, especially in remote areas, as well as the increasing need for reliable international communications. Moreover, Morocco’s rising profile as a tech hub in North Africa is likely to boost demand for undersea communication cables.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Morocco | 9.8% |
Turkey is also attracting a lot of investment for submarine communication cable, which has also led to that sector expanding because it stands at the intersection of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The growing digital economy in Turkey and rising penetration of the Internet and need for high-speed data transfer are also fueling demand for submarine communication cables. Moreover, government-supported infrastructure initiatives and investments in telecommunication networks in Turkey are anticipated to play a major role in the market growth.
The market is driven by several factors, including Turkey's growing involvement in international connectivity projects such as the Marmara submarine cable system and the country’s emphasis on enhancing its digital infrastructure. The country is aiming to become a regional digital hub and the demand for submarine cables is expected to only increase further.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Turkey | 12.1% |
From 2025 to 2035, the submarine communication cable industry in the Mediterranean is expected to experience significant growth due to increasing demand for high-speed internet connectivity, advancements in telecommunications, and the growth of offshore energy projects. Submarine cables also now make up more than half of the Internet, and as Mediterranean countries invest in infrastructure development, they will be crucial for enhancing connectivity, supporting data transmission, and powering renewable sources of energy including offshore wind farms.
The market is led by optical fiber cables, which dominate the market owing to their high speed of data transfer and large volume handling capacity. Moreover, the increasing need for new installations and retrofitting of existing infrastructure are expected to significantly contribute to future growth over the next decade. The need for resilient and dependable submarine cable solutions will only grow as businesses and governments focus their efforts on connectivity and energy efficiency.
Optical Fiber Cable to Lead the Industry with Dominant Share in the Mediterranean Region
| Cable Type | Market Share |
|---|---|
| Optical Fiber Cable | 62.1% |
The optical fiber cable is expected to hold 62.1% of the Mediterranean submarine communication cable market. This dominance is due to the increasing demand for high-speed internet connectivity, data transmission, and low-latency communication services. Even though copper cables are more affordable, optical fiber cables are well-suited to long-distance communication, while in addition to advanced bandwidth; copper cables offer limited bandwidth, so fiber-optic cables is the choice for both telecommunications and data center operators in the region.
New Installations to Outpace Retrofit Demand in the Mediterranean Submarine Cable Industry
| Installation Type | Market Share |
|---|---|
| New Installations | 55.4% |
New installations will comprise the majority market share, estimated at roughly 55.4%. As noted in this trend, this is propelled by a growing need for improved connectivity in addition to the expansion of offshore renewable energy projects in the Mediterranean. New submarine cable projects are increasingly crucial to enable such infrastructure upgrades as countries throughout the region sharpen their focus on infrastructure development to meet future requirements.
The submarine communication cable market in Mediterranean is presently growing significantly driven by the demand of high bandwidth and low-latency connectivity within Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Moreover, as a key geographic convergence point, also of three continents, the Mediterranean Sea has become a strategic site for the placement of submarine cables.
The increasing dependence on digital communication, the growth of internet infrastructure, and the growth of cloud computing services have all been principal fuelers of investments in new cables and upgrades to existing networks.
Geopolitical developments are also impacting the market, with the Mediterranean region being critical to strengthening the global network infrastructure. With an increasing number of partnerships being forged between governments, private telecom operators, and technology providers, companies are looking to be able to establish more reliable and secure routes of communication. In addition, advancements in cable technology including advancements in fiber optics and cable durability are assisting in reducing operational costs and improving system efficiencies.
Market Share Analysis by Company in the Mediterranean
| Company Name | Estimated Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) | 20-25% |
| NEC Corporation | 15-20% |
| Huawei Marine Networks | 12-16% |
| SubCom (TE SubCom ) | 10-13% |
| Prysmian Group | 8-12% |
| Other Companies (combined) | 30-40% |
| Company Name | Key Offerings/Activities |
|---|---|
| Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) | In 2024 , finished the upgrade of the "SEA-ME-WE 5" sea cable system. In 2025 , will boost link between Europe and North Africa. |
| NEC Corporation | In 2024 , launched a new big submarine cable with Middle Eastern partners. In 2025 , aims to grow fiber optic power across the Mediterranean area. |
| Huawei Marine Networks | In 2024 , widened its cable choices with better AI-driven network handling. In 2025 , will start upgrades to its old Mediterranean routes. |
| SubCom (TE SubCom ) | In 2024 , worked on deep-sea setups and repair services. In 2025 , began putting in new, greener cable plans to lower environmental harm. |
| Prysmian Group | In 2024 , won deals for new cable systems joining Southern Europe and Africa. In 2025 , will raise spending on green energy-based setups. |
Key Company Insights
Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) (20-25%)
ASN, the leading submarine communication cable vendor at the human level, continues to innovate with its record-breaking submarine cable systems. They also made their mark by participating in the SEA-ME-WE 5 project connecting South East Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe, further bolstering their role in the Mediterranean region. Market leadership ASN is committed to expanding Mediterranean connections and increasing bandwidth capacity.
NEC Corporation (15-20%)
NEC Corporation market share in the Mediterranean through partnerships with telecom operators and governments. Their recent developments have shown that they are focused on providing high-capacity submarine cables which cater to the demands for 5G, IoT and cloud computing. With such capabilities, they strengthen their positions in the Mediterranean market.
Huawei Marine Networks (12-16%)
With cost-effective and high-capacity cables as well as advanced communication technology, Huawei Marine Networks has become another important competitor of the Mediterranean market. Combined with its expanding infrastructure capabilities and putting AI-based network management solutions at the forefront of telecommunications value-addition, Huawei is an increasingly popular choice among telecom operators around the world.
SubCom (TE SubCom) (10-13%)
SubCom is recognized for its deep-sea cable installation services and trusted maintenance, notably for high-capacity cable systems crossing the Mediterranean. They are also increasing their footprint with an emphasis on sustainable practices by designing cables that consume less energy and are more eco-friendly. With high expertise on system management, SubCom is positioned as a continuing ambitious force in the region.
Prysmian Group (8-12%)
Prysmian Group, renowned for its high-quality cable products, is extending its footprint in the Mediterranean market bridging southern Europe, in the south east to Africa and the Middle East. They are also investing in energy solutions using renewable energy submarine cable infrastructure to address growing environmental concerns.
Other Key Players (30-40% Combined)
Several other companies are contributing to the competitive submarine cable landscape in the Mediterranean region, including:
The overall market size for the submarine communication cable industry in the Mediterranean was USD 2,006.3 million in 2025.
The submarine communication cable industry in the Mediterranean is expected to reach USD 5,494.8 million in 2035.
The increasing demand for high-capacity and reliable data transmission, the expansion of 5G networks and broadband infrastructure will drive the demand for the submarine communication cable industry.
Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, and France are expected to be the top contributors, due to their strategic locations and key positions in regional and global submarine cable routes.
Optical fibre cable and new installations is expected to lead in the submarine communication cable industry in the Mediterranean.
Submarine Communication Cable Market in the Mediterranean
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