Amazon, the e-commerce giant and cloud computing leader, is making waves in the world of undersea connectivity. The company has recently filed an application to construct a submarine cable that would link Ireland and the United States, potentially revolutionizing transatlantic data transmission.
Amazon’s ambitious underwater cable project
In a bold move to enhance its global network infrastructure, Amazon has set its sights on the Celtic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The company’s Irish subsidiary, Amazon MCS Ireland Ltd., has submitted a request to the Irish Maritime Area Regulatory Authority for a geophysical survey and site investigations. This crucial step aims to assess route options and landing points for a state-of-the-art transatlantic fiber optic submarine cable.
The proposed cable would make landfall near Castlefreke in County Cork, Ireland, traversing the Celtic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean before reaching an undetermined location on the eastern seaboard of the United States. This strategic positioning could offer Amazon several advantages:
- Improved data transmission speeds
- Enhanced network reliability
- Greater control over its global infrastructure
- Reduced dependence on third-party cable operators
The application, filed in June 2024, marks a significant step in Amazon’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its position in the competitive cloud services market. While the company has yet to make an official announcement, industry experts are closely watching this development, recognizing its potential impact on global internet infrastructure.
Exploring landing sites along Ireland’s southern coast
Amazon’s application outlines two potential landing sites on Ireland’s southern coast, near Rosscarbery in County Cork. The company is considering:
- A western landing at Ownahincha/Little Island Strand
- An eastern landing at Long Strand
These options demonstrate Amazon’s careful consideration of geographical and technical factors in determining the optimal route for its submarine cable. The choice of County Cork as a landing point is noteworthy, as it represents a departure from the typical landing sites in Ireland.
Historically, most submarine cables connecting Ireland have made landfall in Dublin on the east coast or around Mayo and Galway on the west coast. The only existing cable in County Cork is the Exa Express (formerly known as Hibernia Express and GTT Express), which connects Ireland with the United Kingdom and Canada.
Cable Name | Landing Points | Capacity |
---|---|---|
Exa Express | Cork (Ireland), Brean (UK), Halifax (Canada) | 53 Tbps |
Amazon’s Proposed Cable | Cork (Ireland), US East Coast (TBD) | TBA |
By choosing Cork as a landing site, Amazon could potentially offer greater diversity and resilience to its network, differentiating itself from existing cable systems in Ireland. This strategic decision could enhance the company’s ability to provide robust cloud services to its European customers.
Expanding Amazon’s global submarine cable portfolio
The proposed Ireland-US cable is not Amazon’s first foray into submarine cable infrastructure. The company has invested in several other underwater cable projects, either as a co-owner or as a major capacity buyer. Some of Amazon’s notable submarine cable involvements include:
- Havfrue (AEC-2): Connecting the US with Ireland, Norway, and Denmark
- Hawaiki: Linking the US, Australia, and New Zealand
- Jupiter: Connecting the US, Japan, and the Philippines
- Marea: Linking the US and Spain
Additionally, Amazon is collaborating with Vodafone on the Beaufort cable, which will connect Ireland with the United Kingdom. This cable is expected to land at the former ESAT 1 landing station in Kilmore Quay, Wexford, on the Irish side, and at Bude, England, and Port Eynon, Wales, on the British side.
These investments highlight Amazon’s commitment to building a robust global network infrastructure to support its cloud computing services. By owning or having significant stakes in submarine cables, Amazon can ensure faster, more reliable connectivity for its customers while potentially reducing long-term costs associated with leasing bandwidth from other providers.
Implications for Ireland’s digital landscape
Amazon’s proposed submarine cable could have far-reaching effects on Ireland’s digital ecosystem. As a major cloud services provider, Amazon already maintains a significant presence in the country, operating several data centers across various sites in Dublin. The addition of a direct, high-capacity link to the United States could further solidify Ireland’s position as a key European hub for cloud computing and data services.
This development may attract more technology companies and data-intensive industries to Ireland, potentially leading to:
- Increased job opportunities in the tech sector
- Enhanced digital infrastructure for local businesses
- Improved internet connectivity for Irish consumers
- Strengthened ties between Ireland and the United States in the digital economy
Moreover, the project could spur further investments in Ireland’s coastal regions, particularly in County Cork, as supporting infrastructure and services may be required to maintain and operate the cable landing site.
As Amazon awaits approval for its ambitious underwater cable project, the tech industry and Irish authorities alike are keenly observing the potential impact on transatlantic connectivity and Ireland’s digital future. This development represents another step in the ongoing evolution of global internet infrastructure, with tech giants like Amazon playing an increasingly central role in shaping the physical backbone of our digital world.
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