Portugal took another step on the path to innovation and global connectivity with the mooring of 2Africa, the largest submarine cable system in the world, in Carcavelos. This project is supported by Vodafone nationwide.
2Africa is a state-of-the-art infrastructure that promises to revolutionize connectivity between continents. This directly connects 33 countries through 45 thousand kilometers of submarine cable. It extends its 'tentacles' across Europe, Africa and Asia.
It is the result of investment by an international consortium made up of industry giants such as Bayobab, Center3, China Mobile International, Meta (formerly known as Facebook), Orange, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group, and WIOCC. Alcatel Submarine Networks is the company responsible for its manufacture and installation.
Engineers holding the golden buoy upon landing in Genoa
The choice of Carcavelos, one of the European landing points, as the gateway to mainland Portugal, is not random. This shows the geographical and strategic importance of Portugal, a country that, due to its privileged location, becomes a key player in this web of communications.
High-speed internet, video conferencing, even multimedia applications and cloud computing with 2Africa
2Africa is an infrastructure designed to respond to the growing appetite for advanced digital services. From high-speed internet, video conferencing, to multimedia applications and cloud computing. Vodafone's neutral, open access cable will provide the additional capacity needed to support the global boom in demand for telecommunications over the next decade.
Paulino Corrêa, Chief Network Officer of Vodafone Portugal, highlights the significance of this milestone: “The arrival in Portugal of the 2Africa cable (…) reinforces the strategic importance of the country (…) for this type of infrastructure that is fundamental to national communications and international markets, boosting the digitalization of companies, institutions and private customers.”
2Africa was launched in May 2020. With the cable mooring in Carcavelos, and its connection to the Altice submarine cable station, Portugal can cement its place as an essential hub in global telecommunications networks.
You can find out more information on the 2Africa website.