Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), Elettra Tlc, Medusa and Orange are beginning work on the Medusa Submarine Cable System to boost connectivity across the Mediterranean.
It will link Morocco, Portugal, Spain, France, Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. The Via Tunisia subsystem part of the Medusa cable, which connects France and Tunisia, is co-funded by the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme. It was announced by Orange in April.
When complete, Medusa will span over 8,700km, making it the longest cable in the Mediterranean Sea and providing improved north-south and east-west connectivity.
The subsea cable will use 24-pair fibre optic open cable technology: each fibre has a minimum capacity of 20Tbps.
Elettra will immediately begin survey operations; equipment manufacturing and installation by ASN are scheduled for 2024 and 2025. Orange will provide landing infrastructure in France, Tunisia and Morocco.
The idea is to foster greater economic development through better links between north Africa and southern Europe, as well as by linking several Mediterranean islands to the mainland, including Sicily, Crete and Cyprus.
The subsea cable will also provide a bridge between the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions.
Medusa’s construction is funded by AFR-IX Telecom, Orange and the European Union though Connecting Europe Facilities grants.
Source: https://www.mobileeurope.co.uk/orange-and-partners-start-work-on-8700km-mediterranean-subsea-cable/