By Oystein Bergmann, Bureau Chief, Scandinavia
Vodafone has led the landing of 2Africa, the world’s largest submarine cable system, in Portugal. The cable landed in Carcavelos, Cascais – 12 kilometres west of the capital, Lisbon – on 12th March.
Launched in May 2020, the 2Africa project aims to significantly increase the capacity, quality, and availability of internet connectivity between Africa and the rest of the world. Portugal is connected via a spur from the main line of 2Africa that connects Africa to Europe. The cable will increase the download and upload speeds for internet services in the country benefitting telecom customers.
“The arrival of the 2Africa cable, the largest fibre submarine cable in the world, in Portugal reinforces the country’s strategic importance – particularly due to its privileged location – for this fundamental infrastructure for national and international communications, which will benefit companies, institutions and private clients,” said Chief Network Officer of Vodafone Portugal Paulino Corrêa,.
2Africa is the world’s largest submarine cable system. When completed, 2AFrica will connect 33 countries on three continents (Europe, Africa and Asia), stretching over 45,000 kilometres. In late 2023, the cable landed in the Canary Islands, delivering better connectivity for people in the Spanish isles.
The 2Africa consortium is made up of eight international partners: Bayobab; Center3; China Mobile International; Meta; Orange; Telecom Egypt; Vodafone Group, including Vodacom; and WIOCC. Alcatel Submarine Networks is responsible for the manufacture and installation of the 2Africa cable.
