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Southern European Broadcasting Fiber Optic Cable Route

Fiber and communications infrastructure knowledge brief Published 06 Aug 2025

Prepared for preliminary research by the ROGER FIBRE knowledge desk. Confirm optical interfaces, port or core capacity, electrical input and output, enclosure protection, thermal design and installation limits against current standards and product documentation.

The Southern European Broadcasting Fiber Optic Cable Route is primarily represented by the Medusa submarine cable, connecting Northern and Southern Mediterranean shores with high-capacity fiber optic infrastructure. Overview of the RouteThe Medusa cable is a major submarine fiber optic project spanning 7,100 km, making it the longest in the Mediterranean Sea. It directly interconnects the Northern and Southern shores of the Mediterranean, linking Southern European countries with North African nations.

The route is designed to enhance digital connectivity, reduce the digital divide, and provide secure, high-speed internet access for research, education, and economic development.

Key Features

Capacity: Up to 200 Gbps per North African country, supporting high-demand data traffic. Ownership and Management: Operated by AFR-IX Telecom, a European-backed infrastructure and telecommunications company, with manufacturing and deployment handled by Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN). Landing Stations: Includes strategic landing points such as the Barcelona Cable Landing Station, providing neutral, secure access for multiple operators.

Technology: Equipped with Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) for early detection of potential damage, enhancing cable longevity and safety. Investment: Total project cost is approximately €342 million, with a €40 million EU grant supporting connectivity for research and education.

Strategic Importance

The Southern European route via Medusa strengthens the Mediterranean digital backbone, ensuring that 98% of internet traffic, which relies on submarine cables, is supported efficiently. It also facilitates direct interconnection between Southern European and North African countries, fostering economic growth, scientific collaboration, and regional digital integration.

Additional Resources

For a visual representation of the route and other European submarine cables, interactive maps are available: TeleGeography Submarine Cable Map: Shows cable routes, landing stations, and system status.

Fiber

Atlantic Interactive Map: Provides global undersea cable visualization, including Southern Europe. Internet Infrastructure Map (2026): Offers historical and current undersea cable data with IP routing insights. The Medusa cable exemplifies the modern Southern European fiber optic network, connecting multiple countries across the Mediterranean with high-capacity, secure, and future-proof infrastructure.

Southern European Broadcasting Fiber Optic Cable Route - ROGER FIBRE ATELIER [PDF]

Southern European Broadcasting Fiber Optic Cable Route

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Technical note

This reference is intended for preliminary fiber and communications infrastructure research. Optical interface, fiber type, port or core capacity, electrical input and output, enclosure protection, cooling, installation limits and applicable standards must be verified for the specific project.

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