The Svalbard Undersea Cable System is a submarine cable system that connects Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, to the mainland of Norway. The cable system consists of two fiber optic cables that run for approximately 1,440 kilometers from Svalbard to the town of Harstad in northern Norway.
The cable system was built in order to provide reliable telecommunications infrastructure for Svalbard, which had previously relied on satellite communication. The cables were laid in 2004 and are capable of carrying up to 40 Gbps of data.
The Svalbard Undersea Cable System is owned and operated by Telenor, a Norwegian telecommunications company. The cable system has been designed to withstand the harsh Arctic environment, including extreme temperatures and ice cover. The cables are also protected against damage from fishing and shipping activities in the area.
The Svalbard Undersea Cable System has played an important role in supporting research activities on Svalbard, including climate research, geology, and arctic biology. The cable system has also facilitated communication between Svalbard and the mainland, allowing for improved access to healthcare and emergency services.
Overall, the Svalbard Undersea Cable System is an important piece of infrastructure that has helped to connect Svalbard to the rest of the world and support research and development in the Arctic region.