Ooredoo Maldives lands submarine cable at Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi, launching nation’s first private 5G-ready resort

Ooredoo Maldives has officially marked a major milestone in the country’s telecommunications landscape with the successful landing of a submarine cable at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, the first-ever such landing at a Maldivian resort. This groundbreaking development significantly enhances the nation’s digital infrastructure and elevates connectivity standards in the luxury hospitality sector.

The newly landed submarine cable forms a critical link in Ooredoo’s expanding network, running through Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Maafushi, and ultimately connecting to the company’s state-of-the-art Data Center in Hulhumalé. The infrastructure promises increased capacity, resilience, and speed, delivering world-class digital performance for businesses, residents, and tourists alike.

The official landing ceremony took place on Saturday at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi and was graced by high-level dignitaries, including Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim; Ooredoo Maldives CEO Khalid Al-Hamadi; General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi TJ Joulak; Chief Executive of the Communications Authority of Maldives Ilyas Ibrahim; Maafushi City Council President Hassan Solah, along with senior representatives from Ooredoo, Waldorf Astoria, and other distinguished guests.

Taking the podium at the event, Ooredoo’s CEO and MD highlighted that Ooredoo Maldives has been the pacemaker of the nation’s telecom industry, bringing world-class technology to the shores of Maldives for the past 20 years, creating new opportunities for growth, and becoming an integral part of Maldivian life and culture.

For the past 20 years, Ooredoo Maldives has been the pacemaker of the nation’s telecom industry, bringing world-class technology to our shores, creating new opportunities for growth, and becoming an integral part of Maldivian life and culture. This cable landing at the nation’s first private 5G-enabled island resort is a vital milestone in our journey to build a truly Digital Maldives, bridging the digital divide and empowering our communities with future-ready connectivity. As the first resort in the Maldives equipped with dual redundancy, a dedicated submarine cable, private 5G, and a state-of-the-art tree tower, this achievement sets a new benchmark for innovation in the hospitality sector. With AI-enabled capabilities and private 5G infrastructure, the resort is now ready to deliver unparalleled, next-generation digital experiences for its guests.”

Khalid Al-Hamadi, CEO & Managing Director of Ooredoo Maldives.

Speaking at the event, Tourism Minister Thoriq shed light on the significance of the initiative, highlighting that the telecom giant has made remarkable strides to ensure no one is left behind in the digital journey, since it’s inception in 2005. The minister added that Ooredoo has focused on accessibility and inclusion with every advancement and that the submarine cable landing marks yet another proud milestone, particularly historic as the first of its kind at a tourist resort, bringing us closer to a fully connected, future-ready Maldives.

Further, the General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi expressed pleasure in having hosted the milestone event at the resort, adding that Ithaafushi recognizes the importance of seamless connectivity in supporting the evolving needs of global travelers at present, as a destination that embodies elevated luxury and personalized service.

As Ooredoo Maldives marks 20 years of service in the country, this milestone project reinforces the company’s unwavering commitment to its Digital Maldives vision, an ambitious initiative aimed at integrating world-class technology with Maldivian culture to empower communities, accelerate economic progress, and bridge the digital divide across the archipelago.