Gulf Bridge International

What Gulf Bridge International does

Gulf Bridge International (GBI) is a privately held Qatari carrier's carrier, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Doha, that owns and operates a multilayer terrestrial and subsea cable meshed network connecting Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Its backbone comprises investments in 9 major subsea cable systems, 9 Points-of-Presence, and 17 cable landing stations spanning London to Singapore, with new 50+ terabit-per-second optical capacity being added via a Nokia 1830 GX terrestrial route through Iraq in addition to its existing North (via Turkey) and South (via Red Sea) routes. The portfolio is anchored in wholesale Capacity Services (SDH/IPLC, EoSDH, DWDM), carrier-grade Ethernet/MPLS with 99.99% availability SLAs, and Tier-1 IP Transit; layered on top are managed enterprise services including GBI Cloud Connect, Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute (Amsterdam, Dubai, Frankfurt), SD-WAN (Nuage Networks), and SASE (Versa Networks), plus a Content Connect offering for OTT providers.

GBI serves telecom operators and ISPs as its primary wholesale customer base, with secondary segments in governments, large enterprises, cloud/OTT providers, and content companies. Revenue is generated primarily through recurring capacity and connectivity subscriptions combined with managed-service contracts; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The go-to-motion is enterprise field sales via direct sales teams in Doha and Dubai, complemented by bilateral carrier agreements and channel partnerships with Microsoft, Equinix, Batelco, and Vodafone Qatar. The company has received 2016 industry awards (Best Submarine Cable Operator, Best Middle Eastern Wholesale Carrier – Data, Telecoms Company of the Year – Qatar, Most Innovative Company – Qatar, Innovation Award for Network Infrastructure – UK) and was named to Capacity Media's 2020 Power 100. Strategic milestones include SD-WAN introduction in MEA with Nuage (2019), the Microsoft Azure partnership (2020), capacity upgrades ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, and the announced merger with QNBN alongside the Nokia-powered Iraq network expansion.

Name

Gulf Bridge International

Legal name

Gulf Bridge International

Website

https://gbiinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Gulf Bridge International is a privately held Qatari carrier's carrier that owns and operates a multilayer subsea and terrestrial fiber network bridging Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It provides wholesale capacity, Ethernet/MPLS, IP transit, cloud connectivity, and managed SD-WAN/SASE services to telecom operators, ISPs, governments, enterprises, and OTT providers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Telecommunications & Network Infrastructure

akta.pro primary industry

Cable Route Engineering, Permitting & Marine Survey (Seabed/Environmental) (HDAIALAK)

Keywords

• Wholesale carrier services
• Subsea cable network
• Terrestrial fiber infrastructure
• Enterprise managed connectivity
• International bandwidth services

Headquarters

HQ city

Doha

HQ country

Qatar

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Capacity Services: Wholesale bandwidth and transmission capacity solutions including SDH, EoSDH, and DWDM services sold to carriers and ISPs. Revenue generated from leased capacity on owned and operated submarine and terrestrial cable infrastructure.
2. Ethernet Services: Carrier-grade connectivity options across Europe, Middle East, India and Singapore with fully protected EoMPLS service backed by 99.99% availability SLA
3. IP Transit: IP connectivity services providing full routing table access to service and content providers with connections to major IP Exchanges
4. Enterprise Solutions: Managed VPN solutions, SD-WAN services, and hybrid cloud connectivity for enterprise customers including MPLS backbone and Azure ExpressRoute
5. Content Connect: Content delivery and connectivity services for content providers and OTT players

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Gulf Bridge International operates a multilayer terrestrial and subsea cable meshed network (the GBI Smart Network) connecting Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The company sells wholesale capacity (SDH/IPLC, EoSDH, DWDM), Ethernet and IP Transit services to telecom operators and ISPs, and managed connectivity services (MPLS, SD-WAN, Cloud Connect, Azure ExpressRoute) to enterprises and governments.

Product overview

Gulf Bridge International (GBI) operates the GBI Smart Network, a multilayer terrestrial and subsea cable meshed network bridging Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The core offering is the GBI Smart Network with its capacity, Ethernet, and IP transit services. This is complemented by cloud connectivity solutions including GBI Cloud Connect, GBI Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute (with locations in Amsterdam, Dubai, and Frankfurt), and GBI SD-WAN (pioneered regionally with Nuage Networks). The portfolio also includes Content-Connect for content delivery and specialized GCC Connectivity products. GBI serves as a carrier's carrier, providing wholesale capacity and enterprise managed services to telecom operators, ISPs, governments, and enterprises.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GBI Smart Network: GBI's international carrier-grade fiber-optic network including submarine cable systems and terrestrial infrastructure connecting financial and communications hubs across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
• GBI Cloud Connect
• GBI ExpressRoute

Products and services

• GBI Smart Network International carrier-grade fiber-optic network combining submarine cable systems and terrestrial infrastructure connecting financial and communications hubs across Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Includes 9 subsea cable investments, 9 PoPs, and 17 cable landing stations.
• Capacity Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.99% availability SLA on Ethernet and MPLS services
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• NokiacoreTechnology or Integration · 22 October 2025Nokia selected to build new high-capacity terrestrial and subsea optical network across the Middle East through Iraq using the 1830 GX optical platform. Network delivers over 50 terabits of capacity connecting Europe, Middle East, and Asia.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2020Partnership with Microsoft provides secure connectivity to Microsoft's Azure ExpressRoute, supporting regional cloud adoption. GBI offers private connections to Azure cloud services including Microsoft 365 from on-premises infrastructure. Locations include Amsterdam, Dubai, and Frankfurt.
• EquinixcoreTechnology or IntegrationGBI connected to Equinix datacentres in Amsterdam and Frankfurt since 2015, expanded with new deployment at Equinix datacentre in Oman. Partnership enables enterprise customers to access global connectivity through Equinix's data center ecosystem.
• BatelcostrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Batelco (Bahrain's leading digital solutions provider) strengthens delivery of enhanced solutions between the Middle East and Europe, benefiting customers of both companies.
• Vodafone QatarstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgreement signed with Vodafone Qatar to expand connectivity services and collaboration in the Qatari market.
• Nuage Networks (Nokia)strategicTechnology or IntegrationGBI pioneers multi-national SD-WAN in Middle East and Africa using Nuage Networks SD-WAN 2.0 solution. First extension of software-defined WAN to public cloud in MEA region. Enables enterprise customers to optimize connectivity between branches and private/public clouds.
• CienacoreTechnology or IntegrationGBI deployed Ciena's GeoMesh Extreme powered by WaveLogic 5 Extreme, increasing Smart Network lit capacity by 10 Tb/s for next-generation enhanced services.
• InfineracoreTechnology or IntegrationGBI deployed Infinera's Infinite Capacity Engine (ICE) optical technology to increase network capacity and launch new services supporting Qatar World Cup 2022 connectivity requirements.
• Versa NetworksstrategicTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) capabilities development, addressing rising cybersecurity concerns and delivering security solutions to enterprise customers in the Middle East.
• Alliance NetworksstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBI joined Alliance Networks, a new digital infrastructure services company formed by eight prominent Middle Eastern telecoms/tech companies including Alliance International Management (AIM), AMS-IX, Bahrain National Holding Company (BNH), and others.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PCCW Global: Hong Kong-headquartered international wholesale carrier and subsea cable investor serving telcos, ISPs, and OTT providers globally. Directly comparable to GBI as a carrier's-carrier with owned subsea capacity and managed enterprise services across Asia–Europe corridors.
• Tata Communications: Indian-headquartered global wholesale carrier operating one of the world's largest subsea cable networks. Direct competitor to GBI in wholesale capacity, Ethernet, IP transit, and managed SD-WAN/cloud connect services for carriers and enterprises.
• Reliance Global Cloud (FLAG Telecom): Subsea cable operator spun out of the FLAG global network, now part of the Reliance ecosystem, focused on international wholesale capacity and enterprise connectivity. Comparable to GBI as a dedicated subsea cable operator with India–Europe–Asia routes.
• Aqua Comms: Ireland-based dedicated subsea cable operator providing wholesale capacity on transatlantic and Europe–North America routes. Comparable to GBI as a specialist subsea operator focused exclusively on carrier-grade wholesale lit capacity services.
• Telstra International: Global wholesale and enterprise arm of Australia's incumbent carrier, with significant subsea cable investments across Asia-Pacific. Direct comparable to GBI's wholesale capacity, Ethernet, and managed services for multinational and carrier customers.
• Singtel: Singapore-headquartered incumbent carrier with international wholesale and subsea cable operations (including consortium investments) serving carriers, OTTs, and enterprises across Asia, Middle East, and beyond. Direct comparable to GBI in international wholesale capacity and managed network services.

Regional players

• e& (formerly Etisalat Group): UAE-headquartered state-backed telecom group operating international carrier services, subsea cables, and enterprise connectivity across the Middle East and beyond. Regional peer to GBI in wholesale carrier services and overlapping enterprise/government accounts.
• Ooredoo: Qatari-headquartered telecom group operating mobile, fixed, wholesale, and subsea cable assets across MENA and Asia. Geographic and ownership-adjacent peer to GBI, with comparable international carrier services targeting regional enterprises and operators.
• Telecom Egypt: Egyptian incumbent operator owning significant subsea cable infrastructure at the Mediterranean/Red Sea landing hubs. Comparable to GBI as a state-aligned regional carrier with subsea cable ownership and international wholesale carrier-of-carrier services.
• du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications): UAE-based telecom operator providing wholesale carrier services and enterprise connectivity with subsea cable investments in the Gulf and Mediterranean. Regional peer to GBI competing for GCC enterprise, OTT, and government connectivity contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GBI_Network
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMZBpnH3q9DC3JVpv_ByqlA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gulf-bridge-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gulf Bridge International