Paving The Way For The Southeastern Gateway of Europe

ongoing

The objective of this study is to position Greece as a key digital connectivity hub for the region, by preparing the groundwork for a new generation of neutral submarine cable landing stations (CLS) and resilient backbone networks. The scope of the study encompasses the definition of the technical, financial, and regulatory pathways required to establish Greece as the Southeastern Gateway of Europe. The study action will carry out a range of activities, including the assessment of two primary backbone corridors, the West Route (from Chania to Thessaloniki, via Albania) and the East Route (from Heraklion to Thessaloniki), to determine the optimal configuration. The study will also evaluate the potential for future expansion, including a dedicated fibre optic interconnection from the Heraklion and Lavrio CLS to the Daedalus High‑Performance Computing (HPC) site in Lavrio. Additionally, the study will assess the deployment of a new high‑capacity Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) system to guarantee scalability and long‑term reliability. The study will also incorporate a financial strategy and conduct regulatory and market analyses to establish an open‑access model and promote international cooperation. The impact of this study will be to pave the way for the development of a resilient, competitive, and future‑proof digital infrastructure ecosystem, consolidating Greece’s role as a digital gateway between Europe, the Balkans, and the wider Mediterranean region.