United Group unveils 600km terrestrial cable linking Athens and Thessaloniki

The project was implemented by United Fiber, a subsidiary of the Group, and forms part of the company’s broader strategy to expand its regional fiber-optic network.

The new cable spans a total of 600 kilometers and connects eight key Greek cities: Athens, Thessaloniki, Volos, Lamia, Larissa, Livadeia, Katerini, and Thebes. Through this new route, Greece is further integrated into United Group’s core network presence in Southeastern Europe.

From Greece, the network extends via Sofia, forming part of a wider Balkan backbone reaching Western Europe, offering high-capacity and highly reliable connectivity for businesses, service providers, and technology partners.

The international dimension of the investment is also significant, as the new infrastructure strengthens regional links with Turkey and the Middle East, complementing existing submarine cables connecting Greece with Italy and Crete.

This initiative aligns with United Group’s long-term plan to further enhance its networks in the Eastern Mediterranean, with additional submarine connections across the Aegean Sea planned in the coming years, linking Greece with Turkey and the Middle East.

Paolo Ficini, CEO of UGI, stated that the completion of the new route confirms the Group’s strategic objective to become the largest fiber-optic network provider in Southeastern Europe.

“This project not only strengthens regional connectivity but also supports new investment opportunities and accelerates digital transformation in the countries it serves,” he said, adding that the infrastructure meets the growing demand generated by new data centers and upcoming submarine cable developments in the region.

Wholesale services on the new cable will be provided by UGI Wholesale, the specialized business unit of United Group, which delivers data, voice, mobile, and roaming services to major telecommunications providers and technology groups across Europe.

The investment is expected to further reinforce Greece’s position as a strategic hub for data and telecommunications infrastructure in the wider region.