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To Upgrade Existing Subsea Fibre Cables to Svalbard and Deploy Technology on New Cable System
Space Norway has awarded Ciena a contract to extend the lifespan of legacy subsea fibre cables to Svalbard while deploying optical technology on the new Arctic Way cable.
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In 2025, the Norwegian state-owned company Space Norway was commissioned by the government to establish a subsea fibre-optic connection from the mainland to Jan Mayen and Svalbard.
The two existing subsea fibre cables to Svalbard are estimated to have a technical lifespan until 2028. The new subsea cable system, called Arctic Way, is scheduled to be operational in the same year.
Space Norway has now entered into a contract with the American fibre company Ciena to upgrade the two older cables and deoploy state-of-the-art optical technology on the Arctic Way system.
“Reliable connectivity is essential in the Arctic, where our infrastructure supports critical activities and demanding operational requirements,” says Pia Birgitte Bruhn, Vice President of Cable Systems at Space Norway, in a press release.
With this, she refers to the fact that the fiber optic connection is central to research activities, satellite operations, business and civil society in Svalbard.
“By working with Ciena, we are extending the operational life of our existing Svalbard cable systems while preparing Arctic Way for service. This investment will strengthen the resilience and capacity of our subsea network and support the region’s long-term connectivity needs,” Bruhn continues.
As back-up
The subsea fibre connection to Svalbard, owned by Space Norway, was established in 2004. After the cables' technical expiry date, the risk of errors and service outages increases.
However, with the upgrade now agreed, Space Norway expects the cables to remain operational for several years beyond 2028 and to serve as a backup for Arctic Way.
In 2022, one of the cables was damaged, probably as a result of external interferenc, but the police dropped the case due to lack of evidence.
“Ciena is proud to be selected by Space Norway to enable reliable and high-speed connectivity in one of the world’s most strategically important and challenging Arctic environments, safeguarding communications well into the future,” says Thomas Soerensen, Vice President of Global Subsea and MOFN at Ciena.
“Organizations delivering mission-critical connectivity in remote and harsh environments need infrastructure built for resilience and long-term durability,” he adds.
To be installed by SubCom
According to the plan, Arctic Way will be installed in the summer of 2027 by the US company SubCom.
Space Norway entered into a contract with SubCom last year for the delivery of survey, design, manufacturing, and installation.
Specifically, the subsea fibre cable will run from Bodø to a branching unit in the Norwegian Sea. From this point, one branch will run to Jan Mayen and another to Svalbard.
At present, there is no subsea fibre-optic connection to Jan Mayen, and communication with the island is via satellite.
The Norwegian Defence Estates Agency is currently constructing a new station building on Jan Mayen at the cost of around NOK 1,5 billion, with completion planned for spring 2027.
