Canalink, the public company of the Tenerife Island Council, has taken a giant leap forward in improving telecommunications in the Canary Islands. The completion of the new submarine fiber optic cable connection in Costa Calma (Fuerteventura) represents a key step towards the digital resilience of the eastern islands.
The laying of the main cable, which runs from Ojos de Garza beach (Gran Canaria) to the coast of Matas Blancas in southern Fuerteventura, was carried out by the cable-laying vessel Teliri. The connection between the main cable and the new branch was made using a bifurcation unit installed on the seabed, with the participation of specialists, technicians, and consultants. Having completed this operation, the Teliri continues with the deployment of the RING project, which will incorporate a new submarine fiber optic system to connect the eastern islands.
A milestone for island connectivity
Canalink CEO Rubén Molowny emphasized that this new infrastructure will provide Fuerteventura with a network offering greater capacity and guaranteed continuity. "This is essential for an island territory that depends on robust and secure communications ," he stated. He also stressed that the goal is not only to meet current demand but also to build a network prepared for the growth the Canary Islands will experience in the coming years.
The addition of this branch line provides a viable alternative for channeling the island's communications, especially important in the event of a failure or interruption of existing links. Diversifying routes is key to preventing a single point of failure from leaving an entire population without service . With this project, Fuerteventura gains in robustness and responsiveness to incidents.
This is how the work has been carried out
The work involved laying the main cable from Gran Canaria to waters near Matas Blancas, and then connecting the branch line using a splitting unit. The operation was carried out aboard the vessel Teliri , with the participation of engineering and supervisory teams. According to company sources, the deployment was precise and safe, ensuring the integrity of the infrastructure.
Once the connection off Costa Calma was completed, Teliri continued with the deployment of the RING project. This submarine fiber optic system will connect the eastern islands and be integrated into the Canalink network, which already operates submarine telecommunications infrastructure.
European and state funding
The new branch line, which connects the submarine bifurcation unit to Matas Blancas beach, has been financed by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Administration through the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. The main cable of the RING project is funded by the European Commission's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) . This combination of national and EU funding underscores the strategic importance of the infrastructure.
Once completed, the infrastructure will connect Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote, and will be integrated into the Canalink network. This investment not only improves current connectivity but also lays the foundation for the islands' socioeconomic development , facilitating digital transformation and attracting investment.
With this project, Fuerteventura takes a significant leap forward in its communications infrastructure. The new submarine fiber optic cable not only guarantees greater capacity and service continuity but also prepares the network for the increased data demand in the Canary Islands. The combination of state and European funding, along with Canalink's expertise, makes this project a prime example of how public-private partnerships can drive the digitalization of island territories. Once operational, the infrastructure will be a cornerstone for the economic and social development of the eastern islands.