AlcatelLucent has joined hands with the Algerian Ministry of Post Information Technology and Communications to deploy a fibre optic link between Algeria and Spain.

The Orval system will cover a distance of 560 km and will run from Oran in Algeria to Valencia in Spain, according to a report by Lightwave Online.

Following expected completion in 2016, the 100 gigabit-per-second system will deliver an ultimate design capacity of 20 terabit-per-seconds. This speed and capacity would support the delivery of broadband services to an estimated 42 million Internet users in Algeria and Spain, said the report.

The Orval submarine cable system forms part of the country's ORSEC plan put in place by the Algerian Ministry to reinforce the ability to face natural disasters like the ones during the earthquake in 2003 and of which strengthening international communications is a key element.

AlcatelLucent will serve as the lead contractor in charge of designing and manufacturing the system in consortium with IT Marine to be responsible for marine operations.