Ooredoo Launches OFN to Scale AI, Cloud & Subsea Networks

Why It Matters

The launch positions Ooredoo to capture exploding demand for resilient, high‑bandwidth routes, driving long‑term revenue and strengthening the GCC’s role in global data flows.

Key Takeaways

• OFN will manage Ooredoo’s submarine and fibre assets
• CEO Khalid Al‑Hamadi appointed effective 15 Feb 2026
• FIG cable spans 1,900 km, linking GCC to Europe
• Targeting AI, cloud, hyperscale traffic growth
• Carve‑out completes by 2027, creating independent investment vehicle

Pulse Analysis

Ooredoo’s decision to spin off its connectivity infrastructure reflects a broader industry shift toward dedicated digital‑infrastructure platforms. As AI workloads, cloud services, and hyperscale applications consume ever‑greater bandwidth, telecom operators are under pressure to provide low‑latency, high‑capacity routes. By consolidating its submarine and terrestrial fibre under OFN, Ooredoo can streamline investment decisions, attract specialized capital, and respond faster to the volatile demand patterns that characterize today’s data‑centric economy.

The flagship FIG subsea cable, a 1,900‑kilometre system built with Alcatel Submarine Networks, will create a new corridor between Europe and Asia, offering an alternative to legacy pathways that often suffer from congestion and geopolitical risk. Coupled with extensive terrestrial fibre, OFN aims to become the GCC’s primary gateway for international traffic, enhancing the region’s strategic relevance for global cloud providers and hyperscalers. This infrastructure depth also positions Ooredoo to offer premium services such as direct cloud interconnects and AI‑optimized pathways, differentiating it from regional peers.

Financially, the OFN carve‑out aligns with Ooredoo’s RISE strategy, which targets multi‑horizon investments to boost shareholder returns. An independent entity can pursue joint‑ventures, tap infrastructure‑focused funds, and monetize assets through long‑term contracts, delivering stable cash flows. For investors, OFN represents a bet on sustained growth in global data traffic and the GCC’s emergence as a digital hub, while also mitigating exposure to traditional consumer‑centric telecom volatility.