Another fiber optic link connects TCI's network at Jask on Iran's southern coast, to Fujairah in the UAE. This underwater line, 172 km in length, is a direct connection with no repeaters, supporting up to 140 Mb/s bit rate over 6 fiber pairs. It was implemented by Alcatel (see Fig. 3.2).
Such unrepeatered systems are mainly used to cross short stretches of water in different types of connections: mainland to mainland, mainland to island or island to island. Because there is no submerged electronics, unrepeatered systems offer cost-effective solutions, competitive with microwave, land cables and satellite alternatives.
![\includegraphics[width=6.5in]{alcatel2.eps}](img11.gif)