VodafoneThree has unveiled plans to explore a new subsea cable connecting Scotland, Shetland and Norway, which could improve internet connections and bring up to £8.2 billion in economic benefits over the next decade.
The new cable would give data another route between the UK and Norway, reducing reliance on existing connections.
It could help protect up to £6.6 million of UK economic activity for every day of major disruption when data cannot be redirected through other routes, the telecom giant revealed.
For Shetland, the cable could provide an important backup to its existing internet connection. Outages in 2022 and 2025 highlighted the islands’ reliance on a single cable system and the problems that can happen when it fails. The announcement follows an earlier VodafoneThree study into a separate cable linking Shetland with mainland Scotland.
The proposed Norway connection could also attract more investment to northern Scotland and Shetland, particularly in data centres. This could create jobs and bring new opportunities for local businesses.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting MP said: “Protecting our network of undersea cables is vital to keeping our country safe. Our adversaries are increasingly targeting our critical national infrastructure, including the cables that carry data and enable internet traffic and financial transactions.
“This is a very welcome step that could not only improve connectivity and boost our economy, especially in Scotland, but strengthen the UK’s national resilience, prevent disruption, and keep us all safe.”
VodafoneThree Business Director, Nick Gliddon, added: “Reliable international connectivity is vital to the UK’s defence, strengthening our resilience to disruption and enhancing the security of the critical infrastructure on which our economy and public services depend. Norway is a strategically important partner, with a shared commitment to protecting infrastructure across the North Atlantic.
“A new digital corridor would strengthen the physical links between our countries, add vital route diversity and support secure, resilient connectivity for critical infrastructure on both sides of the North Sea.
“It could also unlock investment in data centres and AI, creating skilled jobs and wider economic opportunities. This study will help establish the economic and strategic case for the route and identify the partnerships needed to deliver it.”
The study will explore possible routes from mainland Scotland through Shetland to Norway. It will also look at suitable locations for the cable to come ashore and potential partners who could help deliver the project. The research into the potential economic benefits was carried out by consultancy firm WPI Strategy and commissioned by Vodafone Business.
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