New Delhi, May 8 : Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) has signed a 700 million dollar agreement with 16 other global telecommunication companies to construct the first direct, high-bandwidth optical-fibre submarine cable system connecting India to United Kingdom.

The Chief Executive Officer of Omantel Dr. Mohammed Bin Ali Al-Wohaibi said, "The Europe India Gateway 'EIG' cable system will stretch 15,000-kilometres and connect 13 countries and three continents".

"This agreement would significantly enhance capacity and diversity to serve this rapidly growing region in telecommunications sector and investment environment," he added.

The landings of the submarine cable are planned in the UK, Portugal, Gibraltar, Morocco, Monaco, France, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, the Sultanate of Oman, the UAE and India.

The EIG cable system will also provide seamless interconnection with other major cable systems connecting Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. (ANI)