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The Swedish Research Council receives EU funding for Polar Connect Step 2
Polar Connect Step 2, the next sub-project within the Polar Connect initiative, has now been granted funding by the European Union. This enables the Swedish Research Council, together with the project beneficiaries, to advance the realisation of a fibre-optic cable that will connect northern Europe, North America and East Asia via the Arctic.
Polar Connect aims to establish a new digital route through the Arctic that will strengthen the global infrastructure on which our internet relies.
“The goal is to create a robust, secure and sustainable infrastructure for future data communication, an infrastructure that supports research, innovation and trade in the regions it connects,” says Per Nihlén, Head of the Network Services Unit at the Swedish Research Council.
The submarine cable linking the continents is also intended to be used as a scientific measuring instrument in the Arctic, which aligns with the Swedish Research Council's mission within international research infrastructure.
Planned activities within the sub-project
Polar Connect Step 2 includes developing the technical design for the cable system, looking further into the capacity for cable repair in harsh and icy conditions, and creating an organisational structure that can manage and prepare the future business model for Polar Connect.
Polar Connect Step 2 also includes continued seabed mapping using the icebreaker Oden, as well as smaller vessels operating near planned landing stations in Alaska and Canada. Based on analyses and completed seabed mapping, it will be possible to determine the intended cable route, which will make it possible to engage a cable manufacturer and order the cable in the next step.
The Swedish Research Council is the coordinator for Polar Connect Step 2 and has been awarded EU funding through the EU programme Connecting Europe Facility 2, together with the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, NORDUnet, CSC and GlobalConnect. GÉANT is also participating in the project as an associated partner.
About Connecting Europe Facility
Polar Connect Step 2 is co-funded by the European Commission through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital) 2 programme. Within this programme, the Commission supports initiatives that strengthen the European Union’s digital autonomy, including the development of fibre-optic connections between the EU and third countries in ways that ensure European stakeholders maintain control over the infrastructure.
Read about Connecting Europe Facility at hadea.ec.europa.eu External link.
Disclaimer
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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