Space Norway and SubCom Partner to Build the Arctic Way Cable System
Space Norwayย (official website) has partnered withย SubComย (official website) to develop theย Arctic Way Cable System, a new subsea network that connectsย mainland Norwayย withย Jan Mayenย andย Svalbard. This advanced cable will boost data capacity and digital resilience across the Arctic Circle.
Connecting Norwayโs Remote Arctic Territories
The Arctic Way Cable System will stretch 2,350 kilometers in a trunk-and-branch design. It will become the worldโs northernmost repeatered subsea cable, operating between 67ยฐN and 78ยฐN in the Arctic Circle. When complete, the system will provide critical route diversity and reliable connectivity for remote Arctic communities.
Service is scheduled to begin by Q2 2028. Once active, the network will secure high-speed communication across northern Norway and its territories.
Advanced Manufacturing and Installation
SubCom will produce the cable and supporting infrastructure at its Newington, New Hampshire facility. The company will also install it using one of its polar-certified Reliance Class vessels, designed for the regionโs harsh conditions.
The network will include direct landings in Bodรธ, Jan Mayen, and Longyearbyen. It will eventually replace the existing Svalbard Cable System, which will stay in operation beyond its intended 25-year lifespan
Enhancing Arctic Connectivity and Resilience
The Arctic Way project highlights the growing importance of high-latitude digital infrastructure. As data traffic in the Arctic continues to grow, the system will offer critical route diversity and improved resilience for scientific, government, and commercial operations.
Space Norway aims to deliver uninterrupted Arctic connectivity as existing systems approach end-of-life around 2028. By addressing increasing data demands, the company plans to ensure robust, long-term communication for essential stakeholders operating in Arctic environments.
Building on Proven Expertise
This initiative builds upon SubComโs success with the original Svalbard Cable System, which remains the sole telecommunications link between Svalbard and mainland Norway. That dual-cable network includes two separate optical fiber systems, each containing eight fiber pairs, and spans multiple routes from Harstad to Breivika (Andรธy Municipality) and from Breivika to Hotellneset near Longyearbyen.
Each cable uses 20 optical repeaters, providing 10 Gbit/s speeds with future upgrades capable of reaching 2,500 Gbit/s. The new Arctic Way system will expand upon this proven foundation, advancing Arctic data reliability to next-generation levels.
A Critical Project for the Arctic Future
Morten Tengs, CEO of Space Norway, emphasized the projectโs importance:
โEstablishing the new Arctic Way cable system is imperative to ensure that data connectivity for the Arctic community remains strong and uninterrupted for decades to come.โ
The partnership between Space Norway and SubCom underscores their shared commitment to building enduring digital infrastructure that supports both innovation and security across the Arctic region.
