Internet connectivity in West Africa is in a fragile state due to substantial damage to critical undersea cables resulting in limited or non-existent service in regions including Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Benin. The impact is reportedly extreme, with ripple effects reaching as far as South Africa. Telecom giants MTN and Vodafone linked the disruptions to these cable issues.
In a groundbreaking development, Cisco has announced the successful transmission of data at speeds of 800Gbps across the Amitié transatlantic cable. Stretching 6,234 kilometers from Boston, Massachusetts, to Bordeaux, France, this achievement marks a significant advancement in the capacity of subsea network cables, driven by the burgeoning demands of cloud computing and AI technologies.
In a significant development for global scientific collaboration, Aqua Comms has entered into a landmark agreement with the Energy Sciences Network (ESnet), granting a 15-year lease for a portion of its subsea cable spectrum that spans from New York to Dublin and London. This arrangement, covering 25% of a fiber pair, represents ESnet’s inaugural venture into Trans-Atlantic spectrum acquisition, underscoring its commitment to bolstering the data transmission capabilities essential for cutting-edge scientific research.
In a significant step towards enhancing global digital infrastructure, Telecom Egypt and Hungary’s 4iG have officially agreed to collaborate on constructing a pioneering subsea cable directly linking Albania and Egypt. This groundbreaking initiative, originally outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding last October, marks the first time such a direct connection will be established between the two nations.
The SubOptic Foundation’s latest report shines light on the sustainable potential of subsea telecommunications cables, often underrepresented in sustainability discussions. With a detailed coverage of sustainable practices, the report explores CO2 emissions tracking, renewable energy utilization, recycling strategies and more.
In a major technological breakthrough, Nokia and Orange have announced the successful completion of an unprecedented 800Gbps per wavelength transmission over Orange’s acclaimed 6,600km Dunant transatlantic route. This milestone was achieved using Nokia’s PSE-6s super coherent optics integrated into the Nokia 1830 Photonic Services Interconnect – Modular (PSI-M). The groundbreaking trial, conducted under real-world network conditions, underscores Orange’s capability to enhance its existing optical network capacity, facilitating the support of end-to-end 400GE and cutting-edge 800GE services.
EXA Infrastructure, the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America, today announced the extension of its network in the Mediterranean, linking Crete with mainland Greece via a second diverse submarine route as part of its ongoing strategic investment to accelerate its customers growth.
Orange Marine continues to assert dominance in the subsea cable industry with the sophisticated ‘Sophie Germain’, an innovative vessel designed for comprehensive undersea cable care. This 100 meter long ship is home to a 450 kW ROV for precise optic cable maintenance. Moreover, it not only enhances connectivity globally, but also makes strides in sustainability by significantly reducing fuel consumption and slashing emissions. Remarkably, in a field with only 60 cable ships worldwide, Orange Marine introduces innovation that may reshape the future of global telecommunications infrastructure.
Unprecedented in telecommunications, the Amitié subsea cable system, an alliance effort of Aqua Comms, Meta, Microsoft, and Vodafone, provides a major boost to international connectivity. This groundbreaking line, stretching an impressive 6,783 km, links Boston directly with Europe, heralding a new era for cross-continental communication. Equipped with unmatched versatility and a notable capacity of 400 Tbps, this project paves the way for a more connected digital future globally.
Geopolitical tensions challenge subsea cable projects, as governments prioritize security of critical infrastructure. Despite obstacles, the industry innovates with emerging technologies like multicore fiber to meet soaring connectivity demands.
