Planning of development of the autonomous digital backbone and connecting Europe with global strategic partners

ended

The main objective of the Project is to improve the backbone connectivity within the EU and to strengthen the EU's links with third countries. The Project will implement the first concrete preparation for three new cable investments: two submarine cables, Far North Fiber (FNF) and C-Lion2, and Terrestrial Backbone Finland (TBF). The Project will also develop a vision for the year 2030 for the North Atlantic and Arctic section of the Digital Global Gateway. The Project consists of several types of studies for the cable investments. The feasibility of Arctic cable route options and sensing cable technologies will be examined. For FNF, a cable route study will be conducted to identify the safest and technically most viable route. For C-Lion2, cable route plan, marine ground surveys and permit and tendering processes will be carried out. For TBF, a detailed route plan will be prepared, and the construction permits applied for. The Project also includes project management and communication. The current geopolitical crisis has further raised the importance of strengthening European sovereignty and security in every sector of life. Increasing digitisation demands sufficient backbone connections, within and between Member States as well as with EU’s strategic partner countries. The proposed Project meets the European key priorities and strategic objectives.