The Connecting Europe Facility Digital programme is revolutionizing Europe’s digital infrastructure. Since 2021, €615 million has been invested into 75 innovative projects, accelerating high-speed connectivity, and strengthening network sovereignty across the EU. New funding calls, open until 2026, aim to enhance backbone networks and integrate sensor technologies for secure, resilient European digital frameworks.
Farice, Iceland’s telecommunications company, is bolstering its infrastructure with the AUÐUR subsea cable, linking Iceland to Scotland. Enhancing VoIP capabilities, this 1,300-kilometer cable promises high-capacity data services, crucial for Nordic regions thriving on data center growth. A pivotal investment for improved VoIP connectivity, it’s set to operationalize by 2030.
EXA Infrastructure sets a new benchmark in digital connectivity by launching the first new North Sea subsea cable in 25 years. This 1,200 km fibre route, including a critical 115 km subsea segment, connects London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Brussels, enhancing Europe’s capabilities.
Google has announced Sol, a new undersea cable linking Florida to Spain with stops in Bermuda and the Azores. Aimed at boosting global cloud infrastructure, the project lacks key details but is expected to go live in 2026.
The AAE 2 subsea cable project, led by PCCW Global, Sparkle, Telecom Egypt, and ZOI, aims to connect Hong Kong, Singapore, and Italy through a mix of terrestrial and underwater routes. Designed to boost global data capacity, it offers strategic expansion potential and reflects the growing international push to enhance telecommunications infrastructure and digital connectivity.
Lightpath is advancing its network expansion in Miami, enhancing connectivity through dark fiber and wavelength services up to 800 Gbps. By late 2025, this expansion will stretch Lightpath’s Miami network to over 80-route miles. Positioned underground, it connects 12 key data centers.
Several subsea cables in the Baltic Sea were damaged in November, sparking fears of sabotage. Swedish investigators found no clear proof of deliberate action, though suspicions remain. A Chinese vessel, present during the incident, is under scrutiny.
A group of major European telecoms, including Vodafone and Orange, urges urgent EU, UK, and NATO action to protect subsea cables amid rising hybrid threats. Citing recent incidents and geopolitical tensions, the coalition supports enhanced cross-border collaboration and the EU’s Cable Security Action Plan to safeguard Europe’s connectivity.
The E2A transpacific subsea cable promises to revolutionize telecommunications infrastructure, linking Japan and the USA by 2028. Connecting major regions like Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan to the US, this project is backed by telecom giants Chunghwa Telecom, SoftBank, SK Broadband, and Verizon.
Sparkle and Turkcell are revolutionizing internet connectivity with a new 4,000 km subsea cable linking Europe and the Mediterranean. Enhancing capacity to over 25 terabits per second per fiber pair, this collaboration connects Turkey, Greece, and Italy.
