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Submarine Telecoms Forum Telxius Deploys Nokia 800G Coherent Optics Telxius Deploys Nokia 800G Coherent Optics https://subtelforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/telxius-nokia-optical-fibers-istock-2270549348-400x266.jpg SubTel Forum, based on Nokia September 15, 2026 Telxius is introducing Nokia coherent pluggable optics rated at 800G into its land-based transport infrastructure across Europe, Latin America and the United States. Announced in September, the rollout uses IP-over-DWDM to expand capacity on existing routes as cloud computing, artificial intelligence and connections between data centers increase demand. Nokia says the approach reduces the space and energy needed for expansion, alongside its cost. The program includes automation for monitoring faults and performance, coordinating service provisioning and improving operational visibility. It follows a separate demonstration on Telxius' BRUSA submarine system, where the companies transmitted 400Gb/s on each wavelength over 5,600+ km. That result provides subsea context for the partnership, but the current announcement concerns terrestrial deployment. The companies describe an ongoing network upgrade without specifying a completion date, route-by-route rollout schedule or total investment. For submarine network operators, the announcement is relevant to the land-based transport infrastructure that connects with subsea systems and serves international traffic corridors. Nokia's ICE-X product documentation provides additional technical context. The family uses 3-nm CMOS technology and supports the QSFP-DD800 and OSFP module formats. Nokia positions it for a range of applications, including metropolitan networks, long-haul transport, submarine connections and interconnection between data centers. Its advertised capabilities include carrying 800G over distances of 1,700+ km. This is a product-level performance statement; it should not be read as a measured result for a particular Telxius route or as the transmission rate achieved in the BRUSA trial. The same documentation describes deployment in routers and thin transponders, giving operators different ways to incorporate coherent optics into a transport architecture. Nokia also highlights programmability and interoperability among equipment vendors, including support for open probabilistic constellation shaping. These features are intended to simplify service activation and troubleshooting while reducing the equipment required as capacity grows. Together, the module formats, host options and software capabilities explain the broader engineering proposition behind compact coherent optics: operators can consider capacity, physical footprint and operational requirements together when planning network expansion. View source The post Telxius Deploys Nokia 800G Coherent Optics appeared first on SubTel Forum.

ntry presents its own challenges, but the systems themselves increasingly need to be considered regionally,” Nielsen added. “Experience in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia gives our team a broader understanding of how technical, environmental, permitting and implementation considerations interact across the region. That experience becomes more useful with every follow-on assignment.” The latest engagement further strengthens a WFN–APTelecom relationship focused on moving submarine cable developments from concept toward practical, executable infrastructure. About WFN Strategies WFN Strategies, LLC (www.wfnstrategies.com) is an independent consulting and engineering firm specializing in submarine fiber optic, power and hybrid cable systems. Founded in 2001, the company provides services across the complete project lifecycle, including feasibility studies, route engineering, procurement support, implementation management, marine assurance, owner’s representation, regulatory support and operational consulting. WFN has supported more than 200 submarine cable projects worldwide and maintains ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001 and ISO 45001 certified management systems. About APTelecom APTelecom (www.aptelecom.com) is a global telecommunications advisory and investment firm specializing in subsea cable systems, digital infrastructure and strategic market development. The company provides end-to-end support across project development, commercial strategy and stakeholder engagement. Media Contact Kieran Clark Project Engineer WFN Strategies +1 (540) 533-6965 kclark@wfnstrategies.com Eric Handa CEO APTelecom eric@aptelecom.com View source The post WFN Extends APTelecom Work in Southeast Asia appeared first on SubTel Forum.

Submarine Telecoms Forum WFN Extends APTelecom Work in Southeast Asia WFN Extends APTelecom Work in Southeast Asia https://subtelforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/wfn-aptelecom-indonesia-istock-1202982084-400x266.jpg WFN Strategies Press Release September 16, 2026 WFN STRATEGIES EXTENDS APTELECOM COLLABORATION WITH FURTHER SOUTHEAST ASIA WORK Recent Indonesia engagement builds on multi-year submarine cable development support across the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia ASHBURN, Va. — September 16, 2026 — WFN Strategies, LLC, a leading independent submarine cable engineering and consulting firm, today announced further work with APTelecom supporting submarine cable development in Southeast Asia, including a recent follow-on engagement in Indonesia. The work continues a multi-year collaboration between WFN Strategies and APTelecom that has included submarine cable development activities across India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Earlier regional assignments have addressed environmental and permitting considerations, landing-site development and other technical requirements affecting the advancement of new submarine cable infrastructure. WFN publicly announced work covering seven landing locations across the region earlier in 2026. The latest Indonesia activities represent a further evolution of that relationship, drawing on experience developed through previous assignments while providing targeted engineering and technical support as new requirements emerge. “Working with APTelecom over multiple projects and multiple years has given us something particularly valuable in submarine cable development — continuity,” said Wayne Nielsen, Managing Director of WFN Strategies. “We are not starting from zero with each new assignment. We understand the development objectives, the regional environment and how APTelecom works, and we can bring lessons from previous activities directly into the next phase. Our recent work in Indonesia is a good example of that continuing relationship.” The collaboration combines APTelecom’s project development, commercial strategy and market expertise with WFN’s independent submarine cable engineering and implementation experience. Depending on project requirements, WFN support has extended from early-stage assessment and route considerations through environmental and permitting review, system engineering, technical risk assessment and execution planning. WFN also supported APTelecom on a regional submarine cable development in 2024, undertaking a situation assessment encompassing strategic planning, preliminary route and technical considerations, stakeholder analysis, infrastructure requirements and recommendations for moving the development forward. That work was followed by additional assignments as the companies expanded their collaboration. In May 2026, WFN announced broader technical advisory support to APTelecom across its international submarine cable activities, including technical review, interface management, supplier coordination, risk identification and support for projects progressing through development, financing and execution planning. “APTelecom’s work across the region continues to grow, and WFN has provided valuable technical support as that work has expanded. The WFN team has been responsive and flexible as the requirements have developed, and we look forward to continuing to work with them as we move these activities forward,” said Sean Bergin, President & Co-Founder of APTelecom and PTC Board member.. The continuing work reflects the increasingly regional nature of submarine cable development. New systems across the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia must address different regulatory regimes, marine environments, landing constraints and infrastructure requirements while ultimately functioning as part of an interconnected international network. “Each cou[...]

is targeted to be ready for service in Q4 2029. About EXA Infrastructure EXA Infrastructure is an award-winning portfolio company of I Squared Capital and one of the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platforms throughout Europe, connecting North America and Asia via the Middle East. With over 20 years of experience in building resilient networks, EXA Infrastructure provides the critical modern infrastructure and unrivalled engineering expertise that serves as the backbone for digital and economic growth. This includes mission-critical networks for governments and enterprises, hyperscale infrastructure for the world’s most innovative and influential businesses, and ultra-low latency, high-bandwidth networks for financial, gaming and broadcast services. Media contact exa@babelpr.com View source The post EXA Announces Ninth Transatlantic Cable, EXA Meridian appeared first on SubTel Forum.

Submarine Telecoms Forum EXA Announces Ninth Transatlantic Cable, EXA Meridian EXA Announces Ninth Transatlantic Cable, EXA Meridian https://subtelforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/exa-meridian-cable-loading-istock-2287319474-400x266.jpg EXA Infrastructure Press Release September 16, 2026 EXA Infrastructure announces EXA Meridian, its ninth transatlantic cable First transatlantic cable built by a single operator in a decade expands EXA Infrastructure’s transatlantic core as demand for fibre-pair capacity accelerates London, UK – 16th September 2026 – EXA Infrastructure, one of the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platforms throughout Europe, today announced the launch of EXA Meridian, a new 6,552 km transatlantic subsea cable between New Jersey, U.S., and Brean, UK. Scheduled to be ready for service in 2029, EXA Meridian will become the ninth transatlantic cable in EXA Infrastructure’s portfolio, adding significant new capacity and route diversity between North America and Europe, two of the world’s largest digital markets. It will also be the first transatlantic cable built by a single operator in a decade. Demand for transatlantic infrastructure is growing as AI, cloud, and distributed data centre architectures generate more traffic between North America and Europe. At the same time, the largest capacity buyers are increasingly procuring spectrum and complete fibre pairs rather than individual wavelengths. EXA Meridian is purpose-built for this market shift. Designed with 24 fibre pairs, EXA Meridian delivers over 500 Tbps of scalable, long-term capacity for Hyperscalers, Neoclouds, financial institutions, government and research organisations. The project has now reached Contract in Force (CIF) with subsea telecommunications specialist Xtera, marking a significant milestone in its development. The agreement follows extensive planning and early engagement with the supply chain, drawing on EXA Infrastructure’s team experience in delivering complex subsea systems. Xtera will act as a key supplier to the project, which is being led and delivered by EXA Infrastructure, a leader in delivery of wholesale transatlantic capacity. Unlike a standalone subsea cable, EXA Meridian will connect directly into EXA Infrastructure’s existing owned network. A new cable landing station in Brean will connect the system through diverse terrestrial routes to Slough and EXA Infrastructure’s pan-European backbone. This integration into the wider platform will give customers an enhanced network mesh with multiple options for moving large volumes of data between North America and European regions, with greater choice over routes, resilience, and geographic diversity. “Demand across the Atlantic is changing quickly. The largest customers are increasingly planning in spectrum and fibre pairs, and the capacity they will need towards the end of the decade has to be built now,” said Jim Fagan, CEO at EXA Infrastructure. “With a Ready For Service (RFS) date set for 2029, EXA Meridian will be the only cable with sufficient capacity to satisfy these large-scale demands. “We have consistently committed to investing to meet strong demand. That means understanding where the market is going, securing the capital to act early and having the experience to execute when the opportunity arrives. By integrating EXA Meridian directly into infrastructure that we own and operate across Europe, we can give customers greater route choice, resilience and accountability. It demonstrates the discipline behind our investment strategy and our confidence in continuing to build as commercial demand requires.” EXA Meridian is already supported by significant anchor customer commitments, including leading Neocloud and Hyperscale players, providing strong commercial backing for the investment alongside tier-one suppliers secured to support project delivery. The system [...]

Submarine Telecoms Forum ESA Funds Automated Cable Backup Project ESA Funds Automated Cable Backup Project https://subtelforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/istock-2167849497-cableshield-400x266.jpg Publication Staff, Advanced Television September 15, 2026 The European Space Agency has selected multi-orbit satellite operations specialist neXat to lead CableShield, a €1.5 million project intended to automate backup connectivity when submarine fiber routes fail. The project brings neXat together with Telesat and Colt Technology Services Belgium. Their demonstration will monitor for cable failures, then transfer selected traffic to satellite links automatically. ESA is funding the work through its Space Systems for Safety and Security initiative within the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems program. CableShield is designed as an orchestration layer across separate communications domains instead of a single-vendor backup network. Its architecture links detection and decision functions with terrestrial-network controls and satellite-network controls. Those layers will communicate through application programming interfaces from ESA's Pooling and Sharing Interface Definitions work, allowing multi-vendor and multi-orbit satellite systems to exchange operational data, request capacity and manage shared resources as one service environment. When a fault occurs, the platform is expected to select available satellite resources and reroute a controllable, scalable portion of affected traffic with defined routing and prioritization. For submarine cable owners and network operators, the project addresses the difficult interval between a fault and physical restoration. Satellite capacity cannot replace the full throughput of a major fiber system, but automated allocation and traffic prioritization could preserve selected critical services while repair work proceeds. The multi-provider pooling approach also tests whether operators can obtain resilient capacity across satellite fleets without building a separate manual process for every provider. Colt supplies the terrestrial-network perspective, while Telesat brings the satellite-operator role to the field demonstration. The current award begins an 18-month effort devoted to development and validation, not an immediate commercial deployment. The partners must still integrate the detection, control and traffic-shifting functions and then prove them under field conditions. neXat aims to offer the backup service commercially in 2028, timed to Telesat's planned Lightspeed service entry. The demonstration and its validation results are therefore the next confirmed milestones for determining whether CableShield can progress from an ESA-backed resilience project into an operational continuity option for submarine cable networks. View source The post ESA Funds Automated Cable Backup Project appeared first on SubTel Forum.

Submarine Telecoms Forum NT Secures USTDA Grant for Thailand-US Cable Study NT Secures USTDA Grant for Thailand-US Cable Study https://subtelforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/nt-ustda-thailand-us-cable-study-400x266.jpg NT Staff, National Telecom September 14, 2026 National Telecom (NT) has signed a grant agreement with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to assess the feasibility of a new Thailand-US submarine cable system. The Thai operator announced the agreement on September 14, with the proposed system identified as Thailand-US, or THUS. The USTDA-funded study will help NT evaluate a replacement for existing submarine cable connectivity from Thailand to the United States that is approaching the end of its service life. Its findings will support investment decisions on the new system's budget, cable route and investment structure. The proposed trans-Pacific system would connect Thailand with the United States through five other Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. NT describes the project as strategically important to Thailand's digital infrastructure and its position as a regional hub for international connectivity. NT links the proposed investment to rapidly growing demand for interregional bandwidth, including demand associated with data center construction in Thailand and neighboring markets. The operator says the system would strengthen regional connections to the United States and support the infrastructure needed for expanding digital services. NT has selected U.S.-based APTelecom to conduct the feasibility study. The company will undertake the assessment across the project's dimensions, providing information for NT to evaluate the proposed cable before making investment decisions. The announcement identifies the study contractor but does not announce a cable supply or installation contract. The grant agreement was signed by NT's managing director and USTDA Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer Thomas R. Hardy. Thailand's minister of digital economy and society presided over the signing at NT headquarters. The agreement establishes support for project assessment rather than announcing construction of the cable. NT places the initiative within its wider responsibility to develop and manage Thailand's telecommunications and digital infrastructure. It cites growing data requirements from cloud services, data centers, artificial intelligence and other digital services. The next stated step is the feasibility assessment; the announcement does not specify a ready-for-service date. View source The post NT Secures USTDA Grant for Thailand-US Cable Study appeared first on SubTel Forum.

Submarine Telecoms Forum MDM Details Narwhal 1 and 2 Transatlantic Cable Plans MDM Details Narwhal 1 and 2 Transatlantic Cable Plans https://subtelforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/mdm-narwhal-route-map-400x266.jpg MDM Press Release September 14, 2026 MDM is pleased to announce two new transatlantic cable systems, Narwhal 1 and Narwhal 2, between Ireland and the US. Narwhal 1 will run from the existing cable landing station in Galway, Ireland to Long Island (US). Narwhal 2 will run from a new cable landing station in the South of Ireland to New Jersey. The two new cables will interconnect with existing cable systems under development in Ireland, including the Pisces System from Galway to Spain, France and Portugal, a new cable system from Galway to Norway, which is under development (MDM and industry partners), and multiple other Ireland-to-UK systems, providing onward connectivity from Ireland directly to Europe and to the UK. MDM is currently working on the permit applications for the systems and marine survey procurement is underway. The provisional Ready for Service date for Narwhal 1 is Q3 2029 and Narwhal 2 will follow in 2030. The systems are being funded via private equity and industry partner involvement. MDM, established in 1990, specializes in the development, build and operation of sub-sea cable systems. The Narwhal 1 and Narwhal 2 cable systems represent an investment of $500M. Director and Co-founder Jim McMahon explains that demand for transatlantic connectivity is forecast to increase significantly over the next 5 years. MDM, through a combination of its extensive in-house capabilities and its existing landing station infrastructure, is uniquely placed to fast-track these exciting projects. View the full-resolution route map (MDM) Press release supplied directly by MDM on September 14, 2026. View source The post MDM Details Narwhal 1 and 2 Transatlantic Cable Plans appeared first on SubTel Forum.

Submarine Telecoms Forum Syria, Cyprus Sign Ebla Cable Agreement Syria, Cyprus Sign Ebla Cable Agreement https://subtelforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ebla-istock-1287114171-400x266.jpg Nawal Jeles, SANA September 13, 2026 Syria’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology says an agreement has been signed to establish the Ebla submarine cable. The parties are Syria’s state communications operator, Cyprus carrier Cyta and US-based UNIFI Communications. The pact moves the project into implementation and gives it a defined route between Tartous and Cyprus’s TATCYNOS cable station, where Cyta’s network will provide onward connections to Europe and other global destinations. It is a distinct system from the UGARIT 2 agreement reported in August, so the September agreement represents a separate infrastructure program rather than a repeated milestone. Ebla is designed with 24 optical-fiber pairs and an initial capacity of 31 terabits per second, expandable to 370 Tbps. The ministry expects the system to replace AUGER, the country’s direct Cyprus link that entered service in 1995 and now provides about 2 Tbps after upgrades completed in 2025. That capacity step, combined with a modern cable design, would materially expand Syria’s international bandwidth and create more room for cloud services, video communications, data hosting and digital-government traffic. The announcement also assigns work to named suppliers. Marine survey activity is underway on the Tartous-Cyprus route; NSW, a Prysmian subsidiary, is responsible for marine cable works, Elettra will handle installation and Nokia will provide transmission equipment. Syria says Ebla will connect with the planned SilkLink open-access terrestrial network, which is intended to distribute international capacity among cities, data centers, licensed operators and border crossings. A separate planned Medusa landing station would add another Mediterranean route. For cable owners and operators, Ebla’s significance lies in route diversity as much as headline capacity. A new direct system through Cyprus could provide alternative paths during outages, strengthen competition for international capacity and broaden access between Syria, Europe, the Gulf and Asia. Installation, testing and trial operations are scheduled before an early-2028 service target, but the ministry says completion remains subject to licensing, marine conditions and vessel availability. Those dependencies make the active survey and later installation milestones the next indicators of progress. View source The post Syria, Cyprus Sign Ebla Cable Agreement appeared first on SubTel Forum.

Submarine Telecoms Forum Singtel, Gulf Back Thailand-Singapore Cable Singtel, Gulf Back Thailand-Singapore Cable https://subtelforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/singtel-vts-istock-2280002117-400x266.jpg Publication Staff, Singtel September 10, 2026 Gulf Development and Singtel Group have formed a strategic partnership to develop and invest in new submarine cable connectivity between Thailand and Singapore. The first initiative will be participation in the Vietnam-Thailand-Singapore Cable System, or VTS, which the companies described as a new subsea link intended to strengthen Thailand's connection to Singapore. The announcement places a specific cable project at the center of a broader digital-infrastructure partnership between the Thai infrastructure group and the Singapore telecom operator. Under the plan, Gulf will contribute infrastructure-development experience and its expanding digital-business portfolio, while Singtel will bring submarine-cable infrastructure and services expertise. Singtel Singapore and Thai associate AIS are expected to use their market positions, connectivity capabilities and customer reach to support VTS development and commercialization. The release does not disclose route length, landing points, design capacity or a system supplier, but says capital requirements will be spread over multiple years. It also leaves open the possibility of later investment in terrestrial links and other subsea systems. The commercial rationale is rising demand from cloud, AI, data-center and digital-service customers across Southeast Asia. Thailand is attracting investment in data centers, cloud services and digital platforms, creating a need for greater international connectivity. For Singapore, another link with Thailand would reinforce its role as a regional connectivity gateway and give enterprises, cloud providers, hyperscalers and digital platforms another path between two important digital markets. That route-diversity argument, rather than a disclosed capacity figure, is the clearest immediate industry significance of the planned system. VTS is expected to be operational by 2030. That date is an operating target, not a notice that construction has started: the announcement identifies participation, development and commercialization roles but does not report a supplier award, marine survey, permit, manufacturing milestone or installation schedule. The next confirmed work is the partners' multi-year development and investment program. Until those execution details are announced, VTS remains a planned system backed by a named investment partnership rather than a construction-stage project. View source The post Singtel, Gulf Back Thailand-Singapore Cable appeared first on SubTel Forum.

Submarine Telecoms Forum LuLu Cable System Launches on Kenya’s Coast LuLu Cable System Launches on Kenya’s Coast https://subtelforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/lulu-kenya-coast-istock-1455430684-400x266.jpg African Media Agency, African Newspage September 9, 2026 LuLu, a planned coastal submarine cable system for Kenya, was announced at ITW Africa 2026 as a route along the country’s Indian Ocean shoreline. The system is designed to cover about 500km between Mombasa and Lamu, with five landing points identified along the corridor: Mombasa, Vipingo Special Economic Zone, Kilifi, Malindi and Lamu. The project is being advanced by INDOI Ltd. (IOX), Blue Trade Investments Limited, ARISE IIP, AfriTrade Consulting Group and Kingdom Bank. INDOI is identified as the developer, owner and commercial operator, while Blue Trade is listed as the Kenyan landing party, regulatory interface and delivery partner. Technically, LuLu is planned as a dual-path system, pairing a subsea route with a protected terrestrial path. It is expected to use DWDM technology in the 1550nm window, with 144 fibre pairs, design capacity of up to 60 Tbps per fibre pair and a planned 25-year operating life. Centralized network management is also specified, while the parallel land route is intended to help maintain availability if one path is disrupted. For Kenya and East Africa, the project would add coastal diversity beyond the main international cable concentration at Mombasa while extending high-capacity infrastructure toward emerging industrial and logistics locations. The Vipingo SEZ landing is positioned to support digital infrastructure within the zone, including data centre, cloud, business process outsourcing, financial technology, cybersecurity and smart manufacturing use cases. The source also links the system to the wider LAPSSET corridor, indicating a role in connecting coastal development areas as well as international operators and enterprise users. The confirmed status is that LuLu has been announced and its route, partners and intended technical architecture have been disclosed. The next stated milestone is progression toward readiness for service in Q2 2028, and that RFS target is subject to contract execution. Until those contracts are completed, the date should be treated as a target rather than a committed in-service date. The release does not name a system supplier, construction start, route-survey schedule or completed contracts, making those the key markers to watch as the consortium moves from announcement into execution. View source The post LuLu Cable System Launches on Kenya’s Coast appeared first on SubTel Forum.