The objectives of Northern EU Gateways project
The objectives of the Northern EU Gateways project is to significantly improve the backbone connectivity, offer alternative routes and increase cyber security in a strategically important region in Europe and to strengthen the EU's links with third countries.
The Project will continue the preparations of three new cable investments: Far North Fiber (FNF) and C-Lion2 (CL2), and Terrestrial Backbone Finland (TBF).
The project will also analyze the feasibility of cable options between Northern Europe, Canada, United States and Japan, passing through the Arctic region, from different perspectives, e.g. technical, commercial and/or legislative.
Far North Fiber
Far North Fiber will be the first cable system through the Arctic, which will connect Asia to Europe via North America and the Northwest Passage. When completed, the approximately 15,500 kilometer long optical fiber cable system will run in geopolitically stable and safe areas, significantly reducing the optical distance between Europe and Asia and minimizing the signal latency between the world's three largest market areas.
The Far North Fiber submarine cable system enables the use of SMART cable technology providing significant new tools for battling climate change, research of seabed seismology and oceans, as well as scientific cooperation between EU member states and partners of EU.
The project will conduct the route planning of the FNF submarine cable.
Cable route planning is in progress.
C-Lion2
C-Lion2 submarine cable system (CL2) will connect multiple key business and residental hubs in the Baltic Sea region, especially in Finland, Sweden and Germany.
C-Lion2 is planned as a stand-alone infrastructure that also supports other new international submarine cable systems, e.g. between Europa and Asia, as well as national and international backbone networks in Northern Europe.
The project includes the applications of permits, route studies, planning, and preparations for the procurement of the submarine cable implementation.
Cable route planning is in progress.
Terrestrial Backbone Finland
Terrestrial Backbone Finland (TBF) is national backbone network that enables low-latency and high-speed connections through Finland as well as efficient routing to other Nordic countries and Central Europe. Together with FNF and C-Lion2 submarine cables, the TBF network forms a digital loop around Northern Europe and provides routing options.
Scope of the project is to plan a new backbone network and to apply construction permits for it. Cable route planning is in progress on all route sections. Planning is now concentrating in the details, such as crossings, bridges, etc., of the route. First application for construction permit has been sent to be reviewed by the authorities.
Key Facts
- Project name: NORTHERN EU GATEWAYS - Planning of development of the autonomous digital backbone and connecting Europe with global strategic partners
- Project acronym: 21-EU-DIG-NORTHERN EU GATEWAYS
- Project duration: 12 months
Starting: 1.1.2023
Ending: 31.8.2024 - Total budget: 7,3 M€
- Project participants: Cinia Oy and NORDUnet A/S
Contact information
Pertti Hyvärinen
Cinia Oy
pertti.hyvarinen@cinia.fi
Jørgen Qvist
NORDUnet A/S
northern-eu-gateways@nordu.net
www.northern-eu-gateways.nordu.net
