- Orange announced the ReuNION submarine cable project to connect La Réunion with South Africa.
- The new cable aims to improve network resilience and reduce latency for international connectivity in the region, Orange said.
- The European Union is co-financing the project, which will feature 16 fiber pairs, each with 20 terabits per second capacity.
PARIS, France — Orange is partnering with a consortium to build the ReuNION submarine cable, a new digital infrastructure project designed to strengthen international connectivity for La Réunion by improving network resilience and reducing latency.
The project will link La Réunion to South Africa, providing a more direct route and anticipating the end of life for existing regional subsea systems, Orange said in an emailed press release today.
Project Details
The ReuNION cable is a next-generation system featuring 16 fiber pairs, each capable of 20 terabits per second (Tbps) capacity. Orange is collaborating with Telco OI, Réunicable, and La Réunion Connectée on the initiative.
Orange’s Role
Orange will serve as the “landing party” for the project. This role involves managing permits with local authorities, conducting civil engineering at the landing site, establishing a secure landing station, and interconnecting the submarine cable with La Réunion’s terrestrial digital infrastructure. Orange Marine, a subsidiary, will be responsible for cable deployment. Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) will design and manufacture the system.
Jean-Louis Le Roux, Executive Vice President of Orange International Networks, stated the cable is key for La Réunion’s digital development and regional growth, meeting rising traffic demands and resilience needs. He added that Orange is leveraging its expertise in construction, deployment, and landing for the project.
Orange is involved in over 40 submarine cables globally, totaling nearly 450,000 kilometers of fiber.
European Funding
The ReuNION project receives financial support from the European Union. This includes funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program and approval from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). These initiatives highlight the European Union’s commitment to enhancing digital connectivity in overseas territories such as La Réunion.
Next Steps
Following the signing of agreements among consortium members, the project’s next phases include detailed marine surveys, permit applications, and the simultaneous launch of cable manufacturing and laying operations.