- MoU outlines joint projects including subsea/land fibre networks and a data centre in Albania, with scope to expand into Hungary via e& PPF Telecom.
- Partnership aligns UAE’s tech-growth strategy with Hungary and the Western Balkans’ digital ambitions, backed by Mubadala and EDGE Group ties.
What happened: E& and 4iG to co-build subsea and land fibre
On 18 July 2025, UAE-based integrated telecom operator e& and Hungary’s 4iG Group—a major provider of telecom services across Hungary and the Western Balkans—announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing cross-regional digital infrastructure.
The MoU sets the stage for collaboration on advanced connectivity solutions: subsea and terrestrial fibre networks, large scale data centres, and strategic digital infrastructure ventures. A pilot initiative is slated for Albania, where the partners plan to construct a data centre designed to support subsea traffic. There is also the possibility of expanding into Hungary through the joint e& PPF Telecom operations active in Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia and Slovakia.
According to Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of e&, the alliance reflects “purposeful innovation” and aims to “unlock human potential” by reinforcing digital corridors across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. 4iG Group’s Chairman, Gellért Jászai, commented that combining e&’s global scale with 4iG’s regional presence opens fresh avenues for long-term investment and infrastructure development.
This deal is among several recent MoUs between 4iG and UAE entities—most notably EDGE Group and sovereign investor Mubadala—highlighting a broader strategy to deepen ties in defence, infrastructure and digital investment.
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Why it’s important
This partnership signals a strategic move to weave a transcontinental digital spine connecting the UAE, North Africa and Central/Eastern Europe. With global data consumption surging—driven by streaming, cloud computing and digital services—resilient subsea cables and regional data hubs are becoming critical web arteries.
The alignment of e&, Mubadala and EDGE Group with 4iG reflects a convergence of financial and geopolitical strategies. The UAE is accelerating its shift away from hydrocarbons towards tech-driven sectors, while Hungary seeks digital sovereignty within the EU framework. Such alliances benefit from “patient capital” inflows and enhanced political stability.
By co-developing infrastructure across multiple nations, the alliance creates scalable digital ecosystems capable of underpinning smart city initiatives, fintech innovation and cross-border commerce. A data centre in Albania, for instance, could serve as a template for replication elsewhere in the Balkans or Mediterranean.
