Inter-continental connectivity between Europe and Asia is set to be significantly strengthened through two complementing submarine cable systems – Far North Fiber and Polar Connect. The two submarine cable systems currently in development will greatly increase diversity and resilience for connectivity between Europe and Asia, while also increasing capacity and reducing latency.
For today’s digital societies, submarine cable systems between world regions have become increasingly significant critical infrastructure at national, European and global levels. Resilience against vulnerabilities and geopolitical instability threats can be ensured by improved diversity via new cable routes. Improved international connectivity and data gateways from Europe to Asia and to North America strengthens the digital sovereignty of Europe. NORDUnet and Cenia today released a statement on their collaborative efforts in driving two such complementary subsea cable systems.
- FAR NORTH FIBER system (FNF), which will be routed through the Northwest Passage between Greenland and Canada.
- POLAR-CONNECT system (PC), which is planned to be routed under the ice cap of the North Pole in the Arctic Ocean, just North-East of Greenland.
FNF is planned to be the first pan-Arctic submarine telecom cable system connecting Europe to Asia through the Northwest passage. The FNF project is in its commercial development phase and is planned to be completed and ready for service and operation by the end of 2026. PC will be the second Arctic submarine telecom cable system, with a route north of Greenland. PC is currently undergoing a feasibility study with a view to be realized around 2030.
By having two complementary systems with diverse Arctic routes, resilience and security will be ensured.
Both cable systems form part of the Northern European Data Gateways project of the European Union, a cornerstone in securing Europe’s strategic digital autonomy and sovereignty, as it promotes new, secure, much shorter and redundant paths towards Asia and North America through the Arctic area.
See the full text of the announcement by NORDUnet and Cinia.
