October 19, 2016
Source: TE Connectivity Ltd.
Work Underway on Innovative New Transatlantic Cable
EATONTOWN, N.J., Oct. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Facebook, Microsoft, and TE SubCom, a TE Connectivity Ltd. company and an industry pioneer in undersea communications technology, today announced that TE SubCom has been named the system supply partner for the new MAREA submarine cable across the Atlantic Ocean.
TE SubCom has completed the route survey and begun manufacture of the system at its facility in Newington, New Hampshire. The parties are on track to begin laying cable using TE SubCom's state-of-the-art cable installation ships next year, with a scheduled completion date of October 2017.
As announced by Facebook and Microsoft in May 2016, MAREA will be the highest-capacity subsea cable to ever cross the Atlantic – featuring eight fiber-pairs and an initial estimated design capacity of 160 Terabits/sec. The new 6,600 km submarine cable system will also be the first to connect the United States to southern Europe: from Virginia Beach, Virginia to Bilbao, Spain. This new southern route will provide greater diversity of connections and enhanced reliability for customers, as well as optimal connectivity to data centers on the East Coast of the United States.
Led by Facebook and Microsoft, TE SubCom is constructing MAREA to be interoperable with a wide variety of network equipment. This new "open" design brings significant benefits for customers: lower costs and easier equipment upgrades, which lead to faster growth in the speed of communications for users since the system can evolve at the pace of optical technology innovation.
"TE SubCom strives to provide customers with the highest standards of design, manufacture, and system installation," said Aaron Stucki, president of TE SubCom. "Being named the installation partner for the ground-breaking MAREA cable system further strengthens our position as a leading supplier of the world's most reliable fiber optic cable systems. We look forward to working with Microsoft and Facebook on what will be a highly advanced and scalable new system."
"We're pleased to work with TE SubCom to advance state-of-the-art transoceanic fiber connections. This is one example of how Microsoft collaborates with industry leaders to drive innovation and build the next generation infrastructure of the internet. MAREA will offer better connections to users in Europe and beyond," said Frank Rey, director, global network acquisition, Microsoft Corp.
About TE SubCom
TE SubCom (SubCom), a TE Connectivity Ltd. company, is an industry pioneer in undersea communications technology and marine services, and a leading global supplier for today's undersea communications requirements. As a vertically integrated supplier, SubCom designs, manufactures, deploys, and maintains the industry's most reliable fiber optic cable systems. Its solutions include long-haul and regional systems, repeaterless networks, capacity upgrades, offshore oil and gas, and scientific research applications. SubCom brings end-to-end network knowledge and global experience to support on-time delivery and the needs of customers worldwide. To date, the company has deployed more than 100 cable systems and enough subsea communication cable to circle the globe 15 times at the equator. For more information, visit www.SubCom.com.
About TE Connectivity
TE Connectivity (NYSE: TEL) is a $12 billion global technology leader. Our connectivity and sensor solutions are essential in today's increasingly connected world. We collaborate with engineers to transform their concepts into creations - redefining what's possible using intelligent, efficient and high-performing TE products and solutions proven in harsh environments. Our 72,000 people, including over 7,000 engineers, partner with customers in close to 150 countries across a wide range of industries. We believe EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS - www.TE.com.
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SOURCE TE Connectivity Ltd.
For TE SubCom: Courtney McDaniel, +1 732 578 7356, info@subcom.com