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Subsea cables

A new high-speed fibre connection in the North

Space Norway is transforming the future of Arctic connectivity and leading the charge with an advanced subsea fibre network to bolster communication for Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

As the service life of the current Svalbard fibre connection is coming to an end, it is necessary to consider its renewal and the establishment of an upgraded infrastructure. Space Norway has thus initiated a project to explore this possibility under commercial terms.

The Norwegian Armed Forces have tasked Space Norway with the establishment of a high-speed fibre connection to Jan Mayen, set to be completed in conjunction with their new station in 2027. This timeline aligns with the renewal of the Svalbard infrastructure.

A joint subsea fibreoptic cable operation to both Jan Mayen and Svalbard is both cost-effective and synergistic, ultimately reducing costs for customers.

 

Find out more about our fibre subsea cables
subsea cables connectivity for polar regions
Reinforcing Norwegian sovereignty in polar regions

These fibre cables will enhance communication in northern areas and reinforce Norwegian sovereignty over Jan Mayen and Svalbard. The Norwegian Armed Forces will lease data transmission capacity on commercial terms throughout the cable’s 25-year lifespan. Additionally, wholesale customers on Svalbard will be offered agreements under commercial terms.

The new cable, along with the existing ones, will form a resilient system as long as the current cables remain functional. Space Norway plans to apply for an equity injection from the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries, which requires political approval by the Norwegian Government and Parliament. Once approved, the necessary contracts with suppliers can be finalised during 2024 and 2025.

The goal is for the new subsea fibre connection to Svalbard and Jan Mayen to be operational by 2028.

Connectivity for the Arctic with subsea cables