PISCES Cable System – Phase 2

ongoing

The overall objective of the PISCES-Phase 2 project is to install a subsea cable branch of approximately 650km to connect Portugal to the planned PISCES trunk cable between Ireland and France (Phase 1 of the PISCES system, which is also co-funded by CEF Digital). PISCES-2 will enable direct subsea backbone strategic telecommunications connectivity between three EU Member States: Ireland, France and Portugal. The PISCES project will address the shortfall of telecoms connectivity between Ireland and the rest of the EU with direct, high capacity, open access, scalable dark fibre availability directly to France and Portugal with this phase covering the branch to Portugal. The proposed PISCES system will provide a strategic link which will meet the objectives of the Digital Global Gateways Strategy of the EU, strengthening the connectivity capacity and commercial offers of connectivity between Ireland and the rest of the EU. The PISCES system will link the new transatlantic and other international cable systems landing in Ireland, France and Portugal, and will allow for capacity interconnection on these systems. The system will also ameliorate a lack of diverse terrestrial trunk networks in Europe linking key hubs in Ireland, France and Portugal and provide a diverse route along the western Atlantic seaboard of the EU.