Existing Caribbean fiber-optic connectivity is technologically and economically disadvantaged and yet there has been no new pan-regional fibre-optic deployment in the last ten years. In fact, some of the region’s primary undersea cable links, such as the Eastern Caribbean Fibre System (ECFS), have already exceeded their planned technical lifespan of 20 years.

In response to the critical necessity of an additional and redundant subsea cable providing connectivity across the Caribbean islands and to the Americas, Deep Blue Cable will build a state-of-the-art subsea fiber-optic system that once deployed will help fortify connectivity throughout the region. To that end, the company has just announced plans to extend its pan-Caribbean subsea network to Colombia and Panama, and to expand to additional landing points across the region. Deep Blue will conduct route survey activities in Q1 2018, with manufacturing and installation continuing through 2018 and into 2019. The projected Ready for Service date of the Deep Blue subsea cable system is Q2 2020. In light of the recent extreme weather events in the region, Deep Blue Cable will also continue to consider the system’s design with respect to future connectivity or environmental concerns.

“With the planned extension of our subsea fiber-optic cable system to Colombia and Panama, Deep Blue underscores its commitment to the long-term solution of providing advanced subsea connectivity across the Caribbean islands and to the Americas,” stated Stephen Scott, CEO of Deep Blue Cable. “The Deep Blue subsea cable network will have a profound impact not only on the communications ecosystem of the Caribbean, but also on the economic growth potential of an underserved region. Now more than ever, the Caribbean needs resilient communications infrastructure.”

The Deep Blue subsea cable will traverse nearly 12,000 km with initial landing points in 14 markets throughout the region, including the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Colombia, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago, and Turks & Caicos Islands. The subsea network will also feature dual diverse landings in the U.S., including the first landing of a cable on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Deep Blue Cable’s system will play a major role in serving developing Caribbean countries that are now experiencing strong demand for advanced telecommunications services.

The company’s subsea cable network will offer up to 8 fiber pairs, with an initial capacity of 6 Tbps with an ultimate capacity of 20 Tbps per each fiber pair. Deep Blue will benefit consumers and businesses across the region by offering a network with higher design capacity, lower latency through direct connectivity, lower unit costs and the opportunity to leverage advancements in reliability like advanced installation techniques and better route planning. This will ensure competitive pricing, greater availability and capacity resilience.

For more information about Deep Blue Cable, click here, or email deepblue@imillerpr.com.