Does Google Plan to Install Fiber Optic Network Via Israel and Saudi Arabia?

The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is planning a project to lay an international fiber optic cable via Saudi Arabia and Israel. It is believed that the background to the progress of the project is the improvement of relations between the two countries, which is shaken by the peace problem in the Middle East.

Google Plans Fiber-Optic Network to Connect Via Saudi Arabia and Israel for First Time --WSJ
https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-plans-fiber-optic-network-to-connect-via-saudi-arabia-and-israel-for-first-time-11606143590

New connection: Google plans fiber-optic cable linking Israel and Saudi Arabia | The Times of Israel
https://www.timesofisrael.com/saudi-arabia-israel-link-said-planned-as-part-of-new-google-fiber-optic-cable/

According to Dubai-based telecommunications company Salience Consulting, Google is planning a submarine cable project called the 'Blue Raman Route.' This route is to connect India and Africa with a fiber optic network, which will improve India-Europe connectivity, allow Google to distribute data centers around the world, and explore the market share of cloud computing services. It will greatly contribute to increasing competitiveness with Microsoft and Amazon.

The length of the cable required to set up the Blue Raman route is over 8000 km, and the cost will reach 400 million dollars (about 42 billion yen). The cable crosses multiple borders, including Saudi Arabia and Israel, so the project requires approval from various regulators.

Until now, the opening of a network connecting India and Africa has been desired, but it has been considered difficult to lay cables due to the peace problem in the Middle East.

However, although Saudi Arabia and Israel, which have been in conflict for many years, have not officially normalized diplomatic relations, they have shown signs of normalizing diplomatic relations in recent years. The fiber optic network, which Google plans to do, also shows improved relations between the two countries, local media The Times of Israel reports.

According to officials from Saudi Arabia and Israel, the Israeli Prime Minister made a confidential visit to Saudi Arabia on November 21, meeting with Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Israeli Prime Minister Visits Saudi Arabia without Diplomatic Relations | NHK News
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20201123/k10012727741000.html

However, a person involved in the cable laying project told The Wall Street Journal, 'Google has not received final approval from the Saudi Arabian government, as it may force us to replan the route without the approval of the authorities. It's too early to declare that the project will move forward. '