What Will It Take to Connect the Arctic? $1.2 Billion, 10,000 Miles of Fiber-Optic Cable and Patience

The article describes the current lack of reliable telecommunications infrastructure in the Arctic region and the benefits that a fiber-optic cable network could bring. Just like how the Northern Sea Route could ideally shorten trade routes, a fiber-optic network made viable by the melting Arctic could realise low-latency and high-speed intercontinental communications. However, laying cable in the Arctic poses significant challenges, including the harsh weather conditions, the lack of infrastructure, and the difficulty of crossing international borders. The project would require cooperation between several countries and companies, including Canada, the US, Russia, and Greenland. A Finnish telecommunications, cybersecurity and software company called Cinia Oy has formed a joint venture with Arteria Networks Corp. of Japan and Alaska’s Far North Digital LLC to explore this submarine infrastructural project.

Nevertheless, there are high costs involved in laying a 10,000-mile fiber-optic cable network in the Arctic: $1.2 billion, with ongoing maintenance costs. The article also notes that there are concerns about the potential environmental impact of laying the cable, as well as the security risks associated with sharing infrastructure in a region of strategic importance.

Despite these challenges, experts believe that the benefits of a connected Arctic outweigh the costs. For example, improved connectivity could lead to increased economic growth in the region by enabling new industries such as tourism and renewable energy. Additionally, a fiber-optic cable network could facilitate better environmental monitoring, which is critical in a region experiencing the impacts of climate change.