Libya is pursuing a larger role in the digital infrastructure connecting Europe and Africa, with a new private telecommunications company preparing to combine data center capacity, cloud services and next-generation mobile connectivity. Ozone Telecommunications and Technology Group, known as O3 Group, officially launched operations in Benghazi on Oct. 19, marking a new entrant in the country’s telecommunications market. The company plans to bring a Tier III data center online in March 2027 while developing a 5G mobile operator and international connectivity infrastructure. Its strategy places local computing capacity alongside telecommunications networks, positioning digital infrastructure as a potential foundation for Libya’s broader ambitions to become a regional technology hub.

O3 Group Targets March 2027 for Tier III Data Center

O3 Group expects its data center, currently under construction, to begin operations in March 2027, creating additional capacity for organizations that need local hosting and digital services. The facility will provide cloud services, business applications and hosting capabilities for telecommunications operators, financial institutions, government organizations and corporate clients. These services could help businesses access computing resources within Libya rather than relying entirely on infrastructure located outside the country. The Data Center Map lists eight data centers in Libya, underscoring the existing infrastructure landscape in which O3 intends to establish its presence.

The project also signals a broader effort to connect telecommunications investment with the computing infrastructure required by modern businesses. A Tier III designation generally indicates infrastructure designed to support maintenance without shutting down critical systems, although the designation alone does not establish a facility’s operating performance or reliability. For organizations managing essential services, financial transactions and enterprise applications, local hosting can support data management and service delivery requirements. O3’s opportunity will depend on its ability to translate construction plans into operational capacity and attract customers across Libya’s public and private sectors.

5G Rollout Adds Another Layer to Libya’s Digital Strategy

O3 also plans to establish a 5G mobile operator supported by international connectivity infrastructure, a fiber-optic network and its data center. The company has scheduled a pilot launch of 5G services in Benghazi by the end of 2026, followed by a commercial launch in the second quarter of 2027. The proposed timeline would place the mobile network’s development alongside the data center’s expected opening, creating an opportunity to coordinate connectivity and computing services. However, the company’s announced milestones remain targets rather than confirmation that the network or facility has entered commercial operation.

Faisal Gergab, chairman of the O3 board, said: “We aim to provide Libya with advanced digital infrastructure and to create conditions that enable institutions and young people to participate fully in a modern and inclusive digital economy – one capable of driving prosperity within Libya and extending its impact to neighboring countries.” The statement frames the project as more than a telecommunications expansion, linking infrastructure development with economic participation and regional reach. A successful rollout could give businesses, public institutions and younger technology users access to additional digital services, although the eventual impact will depend on coverage, affordability, adoption and execution.

Medusa Submarine Cable Strengthens International Connectivity Plans

International connectivity represents another central element of O3’s strategy, particularly as the company plans to develop links through the Medusa Submarine Cable System. The project has reportedly completed the pre-laid shore-end installation in Benghazi, covering the cable section installed in advance between the land site and the offshore connection point. Medusa is an open-access underwater fiber-optic communications network spanning approximately 8,760 kilometers, with core routes extending around 7,100 kilometers across the Mediterranean Sea. Designed to connect Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, the system could provide an additional international communications pathway for the region.

Libya has 13 cable landing stations along its northern coast, but only four subsea cables connect them, highlighting the distinction between existing landing infrastructure and active cable connectivity. O3 intends to focus on developing international connectivity through Medusa, linking its domestic infrastructure plans with a wider regional network. Additional international capacity could support data exchange, cloud access and communications services for enterprises operating across borders. The commercial value, however, will depend on the cable’s operational readiness, available capacity and O3’s ability to turn connectivity into services customers need. Norman Albi, CEO of Medusa Submarine Cable System, said: “The cable landing in Benghazi marks another significant step in the development of the Medusa Mediterranean network, strengthening connectivity between North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. This reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding high-capacity international connectivity in the region.”

Libya’s Digital Hub Ambitions Depend on Execution

O3 Group’s plans bring together three infrastructure priorities: domestic data center capacity, a proposed 5G network and stronger international connectivity. Their combined potential lies in creating a more integrated digital services ecosystem rather than treating each investment as a separate undertaking. Yet construction progress, network deployment, customer demand and commercial delivery will determine whether the company can convert its launch ambitions into lasting market presence. As Libya seeks a stronger position between European and African digital markets, O3’s 2026 and 2027 milestones will provide important indicators of how quickly those ambitions can advance.