Submarine Cables Connection of the Autonomous Region of Madeira to the European, African and American continents

ongoing

Currently, the Autonomous Region of Madeira (“ARM”) only guarantees access to connectivity through mainland Portugal via two submarine cables, the CAM Ring and EllaLink. Therefore, the ARM has a low level of connectivity and redundancy, since it is only connected to the European continent and through a single point, mainland Portugal (Lisbon). A preliminary study was conducted aimed at assessing a range of connection possibilities between the ARM and the European, African, and American continents. The outcome of the preliminary study showed that it is feasible to reinforce connection capacities using a hybrid strategy combining the development of new submarine cables and the use of traffic capacity on existing ones. Based on these preliminary results, this study project aims to thoroughly consider the development of a set of connection links, through new or existing submarine cables, between the Autonomous Region of Madeira (“ARM”) and the European, African, and American continents taking into consideration the set-up of an Atlantic boundary with the Azores, Canary Islands, and Cape Verde. The outcome of this study will be a detailed implementation plan that will consider a list of activities to be carried out with the appropriate cost, time horizon, and associated risk in order to provide ARM with greater resilience and redundancy of connectivity.