EXA Infrastructure, one of Europe’s largest digital infrastructure providers, has announced the activation of a new 1,200-kilometer high-capacity fiber network connecting major European hubs: London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Brussels. The new link significantly strengthens the continent’s digital backbone, adding capacity and resiliency across one of the busiest internet corridors in the region.
The route includes a 115-kilometer subsea segment stretching from Margate in the United Kingdom to Ostend in Belgium, using ultra-low-loss G.654C optical fiber. This is combined with 1,085 kilometers of newly installed terrestrial fiber (G.652D) across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Two new cable landing stations and upgraded In-Line Amplifier (ILA) sites contribute to the system’s performance and future scalability.
This build marks the first new subsea fiber connection in the North Sea corridor in more than two decades, offering an alternative to legacy routes and addressing growing demand for bandwidth from hyperscalers, financial institutions, and content providers operating between key FLAP (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris) markets.
“This project represents a major milestone in European connectivity,” said Steve Roberts, SVP of Strategic Network Investments at EXA Infrastructure. “With this new system, we’re offering scalable, modern, and efficient fiber routes that enhance our investments, including our infrastructure through the Channel Tunnel.”
Backhaul and Landing Services
The project also underscores the growing complexity of cross-border fiber deployment. According to EXA Infrastructure COO Ciaran Delaney, the technical challenges of working in the North Sea’s variable seabed conditions, combined with navigating regulatory frameworks in multiple countries, required advanced installation techniques and deep regional expertise.
EXA Infrastructure is also the sole telecommunications consortium member responsible for backhaul and landing services for the new subsea cable. The addition of this route, along with two new landing points, brings EXA’s global footprint to 22 landing stations and extends its international reach between North America, Europe, and Asia via the Middle East.
The new fiber optic system would position EXA Infrastructure to meet increasing traffic demand and deliver next-generation services for carriers, cloud providers, and enterprise customers across Europe.
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