Amazon Proposes Subsea Fiber Optic Cable Between Ireland and the US
Amazon is pursuing plans for a transatlantic subsea cable to connect Ireland with the United States. The proposal, submitted by Amazon MCS Ireland Ltd., details a project that would bolster connectivity and enhance Amazon’s global infrastructure.
Application Filed with Irish Authorities
Amazon MCS Ireland Ltd. has filed an application with the Irish Maritime Area Regulatory Authority. The document outlines plans for a geophysical survey and site investigations to determine suitable routes and landing points for the proposed cable. The landing is planned for County Cork, on Ireland’s south coast, with routes crossing the Celtic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to an unnamed location on the US East Coast.
Planned Landing Sites in County Cork
The application includes two potential landing points near Rosscarbery in County Cork:
- Ownahincha/Little Island Strand to the west
- Long Strand to the east
Survey corridors through Rosscarbery Bay will evaluate these options. The project is expected to provide network redundancy and resilience by diversifying cable routes, which currently cluster around Dublin and Ireland’s west coast.
Project Timelines and Capacity Remain Unclear
While the application was submitted in June 2024, Amazon has yet to release specifics regarding the cable’s capacity or timeline. Reports by Roderick Beck’s subsea infrastructure blog and the Southern Star first brought the project to public attention. Amazon has not officially commented on the plans.
Amazon’s Existing Subsea Cable Investments
Current Cable Projects
Amazon is no stranger to subsea cables. According to Telegeography, the company has stakes in several major systems, including:
- Havfrue (AEC-2): Links the US with Ireland, Norway, and Denmark.
- Hawaiki, Jupiter, and Marea: Key routes across various global regions.
The Havfrue cable, launched in 2020, lands in County Mayo, Ireland, with Aqua Comms serving as the landing party. Amazon is also involved in the Beaufort cable project, connecting Ireland to the UK.
County Cork’s Strategic Importance
Most subsea cables in Ireland land around Dublin or on the west coast in Mayo or Galway. The only existing cable landing in County Cork is Exa’s Exa Express, which connects Ireland to the UK and Canada. Beck’s analysis suggests that Amazon’s new project in Cork could offer an alternative route, increasing network diversity and resilience for the company’s operations.
Why This Cable Matters
Strengthening Ireland as a Cloud Hub
Ireland is a critical hub for Amazon’s cloud operations, hosting multiple data centers in Dublin. A new cable landing in County Cork could enhance connectivity, reduce latency, and ensure more robust infrastructure for Amazon’s cloud services.
Strategic Benefits
- Redundancy and Resilience: A new route through Cork would complement existing systems, reducing risks associated with clustered landings.
- Improved Connectivity: The project would likely enhance transatlantic bandwidth, benefiting Amazon and its customers.
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of Amazon’s proposed subsea cable?
The cable aims to link Ireland and the United States, enhancing Amazon’s global connectivity and supporting its cloud operations.
2. Where will the cable land in Ireland?
The planned landing sites are near Rosscarbery, County Cork, at Ownahincha/Little Island Strand or Long Strand.
3. Why is County Cork significant for this project?
Cork offers an alternative landing point to diversify routes and improve network resilience, complementing existing systems clustered in other regions of Ireland.
4. What is the status of the project?
Amazon has filed an application for site investigations and surveys but has not announced timelines or project specifics.
5. What other cables is Amazon involved in?
Amazon is a stakeholder in Havfrue (AEC-2), Hawaiki, Jupiter, Marea, and the Beaufort cable projects.
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