Aqua Comms, Meta, Microsoft, Vodafone, complete transatlantic cable

News and Business

Aqua Comms, Meta, Microsoft, and Vodafone have announced the completion of the Amitié subsea cable system, the first to directly connect Boston to Europe and Bordeaux to North America. The 6,783 km trans-Atlantic system, which was built by Alcatel Submarine Networks, has landings in Lynn, Massachusetts; Widemouth Bay, England; and Le Porge, France. With 16 fibre pairs and 400 Tbps, Amitié is the highest capacity transoceanic communications cable ever deployed.

The system includes a branching unit 860 km from France and 650 km from the UK. The device allows the owners to switch either individual optical wavelengths between different landings or the full fibre capacity via two different types of switching technologies.

The design of the system brings all users additional connectivity options in the United States, the UK, and in France. Boston will have direct connection all the way to London and a new Carrier Neutral Data Centre constructed in Bordeaux. This delivers improved reliability in terms of protected capacity on multiple diverse routes.

Andy Hudson, Chief Network Officer, Aqua Comms, said: “Amitié, branded as AEC-3 on Aqua Comms’ network, adds a third high-capacity system to our transatlantic footprint offering enhanced diversity in both the US and Europe and delivering the latest technology to our customers.”

Amitié is now fully commissioned and tested and was handed over to Aqua Comms, Meta, Microsoft, and Vodafone in July 2023. The system was constructed under a Joint Build Agreement between the four partners, who worked together in close cooperation with the supplier and the landing providers.

For more information, visit https://aquacomms.com