EllaLink and SPLANG, the local public company for the digital development of French Guiana, have begun constructing the EllaLink cable extension, called the Lum@link system, to Cayenne, French Guiana. The project was initially announced in January 2024, and the Lum@link system is expected to be ready for service by 2026. The project includes the construction of a Cable Landing Station in Cayenne and a 2,100 km cable extension connected to EllaLink's existing subsea cable system. The Lum@link system will secure connectivity between French Guiana and Europe across two fiber pairs.
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Lum@link System
Alcatel Submarine Networks has been selected to build the subsea section, which will include two fiber pairs and use optical technologies, such as a ROADM WSS branching unit. EllaLink will be responsible for operating and maintaining this new infrastructure, the company said.
According to the official release, SPLANG's Lum@link system aims to provide French Guiana with a direct, low-latency connection to continental Europe. Lum@link circuits to Europe are expected to deliver an RTD (Round Trip Delay) of under 80 ms without regeneration.
EllaLink currently connects Latin America and Europe, landing in Fortaleza, Brazil; Praia, Cabo Verde; Casablanca, Morocco; Funchal, Madeira; and Sines, Portugal. The new infrastructure will also connect French Guiana to Fortaleza, Brazil, and beyond.
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EllaLink said, "Since its inception, the EllaLink system has been designed to enable the gradual integration of new markets thanks to the inclusion of seven branching units. This is the fourth branch EllaLink is constructing from the main system confirming the expertise of our team to manage the complete life cycle of telecom submarine cable infrastructures: from financial planning, engineering and construction to operation and maintenance."
SPLANG added: "By directly connecting French Guiana to Europe and Brazil, we are contributing to the region's digital transformation, addressing the digital divide by providing French Guiana with the low latency, high-capacity infrastructure necessary for economic growth, improved access to education and healthcare, and overall social development."
Funding Support
The European Commission is supporting EllaLink in implementing the project in French Guiana with a EUR 29.9 million grant from the CEF-Digital program managed by HaDEA (Health and Digital Executive Agency). This initiative reportedly aims to enhance digital connectivity in this remote region by connecting it directly to continental Europe.
In addition to the main system, EllaLink and SPLANG are collaborating to develop a branch to Brazil's underserved Amazon region in the state of Para. This project may result in the creation of a direct submarine link between Belem, Fortaleza, and Cayenne, further enhancing the region's connectivity, according to the company.
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EllaLink System
EllaLink is a fiber optic submarine cable system offering secure, high-capacity connectivity on a unique low-latency transatlantic route serving the Latin American and European markets.
According to the official release, the EllaLink system has been built with coherent technology, initially offering 100 Tbps of capacity over four direct fiber pairs between Europe and Brazil.
The EllaLink network directly connects Brazil and Europe, linking the major hubs of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Fortaleza with Lisbon, Madrid, and Marseille.
