Space Norway, SubCom to Build 2,350km Arctic Cable
Space Norway and SubCom have officially signed a contract for the design, manufacture and installation of the Arctic Way Cable System. The high-speed, subsea data cable will link mainland Norway with Jan Mayen and the Svalbard archipelago.
It will be the world's northernmost subsea cable system upon completion, stretching approximately 2,350 kilometres within the Arctic Circle.
The strategic infrastructure will introduce vital route diversity for a region experiencing rapid growth in data traffic and increasingly dependent on reliable, high-capacity connectivity.
For telecommunications operators and public sector customers alike, Arctic Way represents a foundational asset in Arctic digital resilience and long-term service continuity.
Expanding arctic reach with proven engineering partners
SubCom, a provider of undersea communication technology and marine services, will be responsible for the full project lifecycle. The scope includes system design, cable and repeater manufacturing at its Newington, New Hampshire facility in the UK and marine installation using one of its polar-certified Reliance Class vessels.
David Coughlan, CEO of SubCom, stated:
"Having supplied the original Svalbard cable system, SubCom has had a working relationship with Space Norway for decades and we are privileged to extend that partnership with the new Arctic Way Cable System.
Our experience with the customer and our expertise in the region – one of the most unique marine environments on the planet – will enable SubCom to efficiently produce and deploy this critical subsea cable infrastructure on behalf of Space Norway."
Futureproofing arctic connectivity
The development of the Arctic Way Cable System addresses long-term regional needs for secure and uninterrupted data flow. Once operational, it will reinforce Space Norway's hybrid infrastructure model, which already integrates satellite, teleport, fibre and subsea components to support government, defence, commercial maritime and broadcast sectors.
Morten Tengs, CEO of Space Norway, explained the project's long-term significance: "Establishing the new Arctic Way cable system is imperative to ensure that data connectivity for the Arctic community is effective and uninterrupted for decades to come.
We are confident that SubCom's proven track record in managing projects in the Arctic region makes them the ideal partner for this project and we are very pleased to reach this important milestone."
The subsea route will include direct shore-end landings in Bodø (Norway), Jan Mayen and Longyearbyen (Svalbard), ensuring robust network connectivity to vital scientific, military and research outposts across the Arctic. This is especially relevant given the region's increasing geostrategic importance.
A redundant, resilient network for a harsh environment
The Arctic Way Cable System will operate alongside two existing cables to Svalbard, which are nearing the end of their original 25-year design life. The legacy systems will continue to function as backups while Arctic Way takes over as the primary carrier.
"While establishing new subsea cable infrastructure, we will continue to utilise the two existing cables to Svalbard as long as they remain functional, serving as a backup for Arctic Way.
Although these cables are approaching the end of their 25-year service lifespan, we expect them to remain operational for several years past 2028."
The Arctic Way Cable System will be ready for service (RFS) by Q2 2028. The project signals a major leap forward in secure, high-availability network infrastructure for telecommunications providers, enterprise customers and government agencies operating in high-latitude environments.
Space Norway, wholly owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, continues to expand its footprint as a key player in the European and global space and telecoms ecosystem.
By leveraging its unique hybrid infrastructure and strategic partnerships, it is helping redefine Arctic and sub-Arctic connectivity for decades to come.
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