Yusif Jabbarov: Kardesa Project to Drive Innovation and Growth Across the Region

Vodafone Ukraine, a subsidiary of NEQSOL Holding, together with Vodafone Group, is preparing to launch construction of a next-generation submarine cable system under the Black Sea. The initiative, known as the Kardesa Submarine Cable System, will establish a vital digital corridor linking Europe and Asia, fortifying the region’s position in the global technology ecosystem.

The ambitious network will connect landing points in Bulgaria, Türkiye, Georgia, and Ukraine, offering a more diverse and secure flow of digital traffic across the Black Sea basin. The first landing is planned in Bulgaria in 2027, with additional connections to follow in Türkiye, Georgia, and Ukraine—where construction will be carried out exclusively in internationally recognized safe territories.

Valued at over €100 million, the Kardesa project will be delivered by Xtera, a leading global provider of high-capacity subsea communication systems. Once completed, the network will add 500 terabits per second of bandwidth across the region, boosting internet reliability and unlocking new opportunities in fast-growing sectors including 5G, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things.

Yusif Jabbarov, Chairman of NEQSOL Holding, emphasized the project’s transformative potential:
“The Kardesa project marks a decisive move toward building a resilient and future-ready digital ecosystem. By connecting Europe and Asia through advanced infrastructure, we are strengthening the foundations for sustainable growth, innovation, and cooperation. Partnering with Vodafone Group on this initiative demonstrates our long-term commitment to enabling progress through technology.”

Currently, submarine cables power nearly all international internet connectivity, carrying about 97 to 98 percent of global data traffic. Each new system further enhances the resilience and capacity of the world’s digital infrastructure—a goal central to NEQSOL Holding’s strategic vision.

Beyond the Kardesa project, the holding continues to expand its digital footprint through multiple high-impact initiatives. Its subsidiary, AzerTelecom, is leading the Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable Line project under the Digital Silk Way initiative. In collaboration with Kazakhtelecom, the national telecom operator of Kazakhstan, AzerTelecom is building a 380-kilometer subsea cable between Sumgait, Azerbaijan, and Aktau, Kazakhstan. With a transmission capacity of up to 400 terabits per second, the system will provide a low-latency, high-speed link uniting Europe and Asia by the end of 2026.

Through these efforts, NEQSOL Holding continues to advance innovation and sustainable digital connectivity, paving the way for stronger economies and a more interconnected global community.

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