The Salience/Pioneer consortium has secured a contract from Chile’s Subtel to explore the feasibility of an undersea fibre-optic cable connecting Antarctica to global networks via the Magallanes region, funded with a USD 2.2 million budget from CAF.
The telecommunications regulatory body of Chile, Subtel, has announced the awarding of a pivotal contract to the Salience/Pioneer consortium. This consortium has been tasked with conducting a feasibility study for an ambitious project aimed at establishing an undersea fibre-optic cable that would connect Antarctica to global communications networks through Chile’s Magallanes region. The feasibility study, valued at USD 2.2 million, received interest from four bidders and is being financially supported by the Latin American development bank, CAF.
This initiative reflects Chile’s broader strategy to enhance its telecommunications infrastructure and connectivity capabilities. The proposed undersea cable aims to significantly improve telecommunications access in Antarctica, which is currently limited. Given increasing interest in polar research and potential commercial opportunities in the region, this project is timely and could have far-reaching benefits for both scientific communities and international communications.
In summary, the feasibility study commissioned by Subtel to the Salience/Pioneer consortium represents a significant step towards improving communication links between Antarctica and the rest of the world. With a budget of USD 2.2 million attributed to this project, it underscores the increasing importance of global connectivity and investments in regional infrastructure, facilitated by support from the Latin American development bank, CAF.
Original Source: www.telecompaper.com
