After conquering the challenges of linking remote tropical islands, the world of undersea cables is expanding toward colder climates. Some of the most remote places on Earth are not specks of coral far out in the ocean but sparsely populated communities in areas north and south of 60° latitude—the Polar Regions!
These communities include Indigenous people, scientists, those exploiting natural resources, and state security operators. Regardless of their motivation for living in polar regions, they all share one common trait: remoteness. They depend on expensive, relatively low-bandwidth satellite communications to serve their population.
At Pioneer Consulting, with over 25 years of experience and involvement in more than 100 undersea cable projects, we have extensive experience with studies in both northern and southern polar regions. Our focus has led us to strategically consider areas such as Norway, Alaska/Canada, and Siberia in the north and Chile and New Zealand in the south due to their proximity to the Arctic and Antarctic, respectively.
New studies and initiatives are emerging regularly. In addition to three projects being developed through the Arctic Ocean (Far North Fiber, Polar Connect, and Polar Express), studies of a cable through the middle of the Arctic Sea (imagine big icebreakers) and Antarctica are currently being conducted.
To do this, we highlight that Far North Fiber is planning landings in Norway and Alaska, establishing it as the natural gateway to the Arctic. Polar Connect examines Norway, northern Canada, and Alaska to enhance global connectivity, focusing on educational networks and scientific endeavors. On the other hand, Polar Express is focused on domestic connectivity in Russia, progressing strategic national goals.
However, in the southern hemisphere, there are still no cables connecting to the white continent. Even though the Magallanes region in Chile and the South Island of New Zealand are presented as candidates for their proximity to the white continent, Chile’s southern tip is only 1000 km from the Antarctic coast, making it a natural entry point to this frozen continent. Furthermore, with the generosity of the Chilean government, the global web is already connected to Puerto Williams in the extreme south of the South American continent by the Fibra Optica Austal (FOA) undersea cable system.
The possibilities in the Magallanes region are vast. The southern tip of Chile, with its existing fiber optic infrastructure, represents a natural starting point for extending connectivity further south. With careful planning and leveraging advanced engineering techniques, expanding fiber optic networks into the Antarctic region could be technically achievable and strategically advantageous. Such an extension will be attractive to the 14 nations that operate approximately 31 scientific bases in the Antarctic region to the south of Chile. This connectivity will significantly enhance scientific research. This initiative aligns with international trends and mirrors successful projects in the Arctic, where forward-thinking leaders have leveraged strategic positioning to bring lasting impact.
However, designing and deploying undersea cables in polar regions presents unique challenges that require advanced technical expertise and innovative solutions. Recent incidents with polar cables have highlighted the critical importance of robust and thoughtful design and careful maintenance planning. The harsh polar environment demands meticulous planning and a deep understanding of marine geophysics and cryospheric (yes, it is a word) dynamics. Factors such as strong ocean currents, shifting sea ice, and the threat of iceberg scour, among many other unique risks, can lead to cable damage and service interruptions.
At Pioneer Consulting, we approach these challenges with a depth of understanding cultivated through years of specialized experience. Our oceanographic analysis and cable design expertise enable us to design routes that minimize exposure to hazardous conditions. We employ a comprehensive risk analysis for potential landing sites and cable routing considering geology (tectonic setting, seafloor morphology, volcanic activity, seismicity, sediment transport, glaciations, etc.), climatology, oceanography (tide, currents, temperature), commercial operations, restricted areas, and impact on a wide variety of animals (marine mammals, birds, in vertebrates, etc.).
This intense study leads to appropriate technologies and installation techniques tailored to the unique demands of the Arctic and Antarctic environments. This comprehensive and forward-thinking approach demonstrates our capacity to successfully navigate the complexities of undersea cable projects in polar regions.
Many teams around the world are working on these exciting systems. Pioneer Consulting is proud to have participated and have been a technical specialist in preparing a comprehensive desktop study for the United States National Science Foundation (NSF). This pivotal work advanced our understanding of undersea cable deployment in polar regions and provided valuable insights applicable to other Antarctic connectivity studies.
On the other side of the globe, we have assisted Far North Fiber in connecting Western Europe with Eastern Asia “over the top” of Canada while supporting multiple First Nations along Canada’s arctic coastline.
Perhaps the most active activity has been the proposal and development of multiple cables in Alaskan waters. With generous funding from the United States government, systems such as SEALink South, AU-Aleutian, Nome to Homer Express (NTHE), and Airraq are being considered to stitch together coastal communities and industries in a region where terrestrial connections are scarce.
Multiple systems are proceeding north of 60° in North America. We are proud to have been selected by the Cordova Telecom Cooperative to provide a wide range of professional services, including design, procurement, integration, and engineering, for the FISH in SEAK and the FISH in AK undersea cables.
These FISH (Fiber Internet Serving Homes) projects are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Program. They are part of an initiative to connect rural and underserved communities. Once implemented, FISH in AK will connect Cordova and Seward, with branching units leading to Johnstone Point and the Village of Chenga. The second cable system, FISH in SEAK, will connect Cordova and Juneau, with additional fiber connections to Yakutat, Pelican, Gustavus, and Hoonah.
Overall, there are many opportunities around the globe to bring modern connectivity to First Nations, increase the availability and timeliness of large data streams from polar scientists, increase scientific cross-discipline collaboration, bring value to those engaged in natural resource extraction, and create opportunities for those responsible for state security operations.
Our proven track record in delivering projects under the most challenging conditions makes us a trusted partner for ambitious initiatives. Pioneer Consulting stands out as an ideal choice for organizations seeking a partner with proven capability to handle the complexities of polar undersea cable projects. Our comprehensive approach, innovative solutions, and dedication to excellence position us to deliver projects that enhance connectivity and foster economic and scientific development.
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