Submarine cables designed to enhance the Isle of Man's connectivity to Ireland and the UK, as well as further connections to mainland Europe and the US, have been commissioned.
Ireland-based connectivity provider Aqua Comms worked closely with the Isle of Man Government to install the new Celtix-Connect 2 cable as part of its wider strategy to develop the North Atlantic Loop. The installation has now been completed with 75 kilometers of fiber optic cable laid in Isle of Man waters and connected to two Isle of Man landing sites in Port Erin and Port Grenoble.
This multi-million pound direct investment by Aqua Comms will improve the Isle of Man's access to the global data network, ultimately providing faster internet speeds and ensuring more resilient and reliable off-island connectivity. Following the Isle of Man's successful connection to the Celtix-Connect-2 submarine cable system, a total of seven submarine cables now connect the Isle of Man to the global data network. These cables have sufficient capacity to guarantee the island's connectivity. Since 99% of global data is transmitted via submarine cables, the island must be able to use multiple cables to ensure continued connectivity in the event of cable damage.
Chief Minister and Minister for Enterprise Alfred Cannan MHK said, "Access to the global data network through the submarine infrastructure is critical to our future economic growth. Enterprise places great importance on the quality of our off-island connectivity, so I welcome the investment made by Aqua Comms and its partners in this new subsea infrastructure and am pleased to see the cables in operation. The development of sustainable telecommunications and off-island connectivity is one of the key priorities of the Island Plan, helping to create a supportive environment for economic prosperity.
Richard Oliphant, Head of Digital Infrastructure and Telecommunications, Digital Isle of Man, added: "Our connection to the Celtix-Connect 2 submarine cable is vital to the island's communications for decades to come. From people using the Internet to those swiping credit cards in stores to businesses of all shapes and sizes, this subsea infrastructure plays a vital role in providing that connectivity.
Aqua Comms is pleased to be working with the Isle of Man Government to provide reliability and resilience through a pair of cutting-edge new communications links," said Kevin Foley, Aqua Comms Chief Financial Officer. The new network will facilitate direct online connectivity from the island to major data center hubs in Europe and North America on a competitive carrier neutral basis. aqua Comms is particularly impressed with the Isle of Man's digital agency, which has been instrumental in helping us secure the project within government. We are excited to see how this enhanced connectivity will further strengthen the Isle of Man's position as a leading hub for the technology industry.
