Orange has partnered with infrastructure investor Equitix and MDM to build a new subsea cable connecting Ireland directly to mainland Europe.
The 3,125km Pisces cable will link Galway with Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez in France, Sopelana in Spain and Carcavelos in Portugal. The telecoms giant will also build a new cable landing station in Sopelana as part of the project.
The three companies have formed a joint venture to oversee the development, with subsea industry specialist Carine Romanetti appointed CEO of Pisces Cable System Limited.
The cable will have 16 fibre pairs and is designed to provide a faster, more reliable connection between Ireland and continental Europe. Meanwhile, it will also offer an alternative route for data traffic, in a bid to help reduce reliance on existing networks.
Orange Wholesale International, CEO, Valérie Cussac said: “As Europe accelerates its AI ambitions, subsea infrastructure along the Atlantic coast becomes more critical than ever. At Orange, we are convinced that building trusted, high-capacity routes in partnership with like-minded stakeholders is the backbone of Europe’s AI-driven future.
“Pisces reflects this commitment, connecting Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal to reinforce trust across the continent while powering the AI highways that will support sustainable, inclusive growth for generations to come.”
Equitix Chief Investment Officer, Achal Bhuwania, added: “Delivering the connectivity Europe needs will require sustained investment in critical digital infrastructure.
“Pisces is a strong example of what can be achieved by working in partnership across Europe to turn that ambition into reality, strengthening resilience and supporting the continent’s future growth and success.”
MDM Managing Director, Tom McMahon, concluded: “Pisces reflects years of hard work and close collaboration with Orange and Equitix, underpinned by a shared commitment to engineering excellence. With the support of the European Union, we are proud to see that collective effort bring the project to this important milestone.
“We look forward to delivering a cable system that will strengthen Ireland’s connections with continental Europe for decades to come.”
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