Google connects new transatlantic cable between Portugal and the US

Google has completed the connection of a new transatlantic submarine cable linking Portugal to the United States, marking a major expansion in international data infrastructure. The cable, named Nuvem, derived from the Portuguese word for “cloud”, was officially linked at Sines, Portugal, on Tuesday. It connects Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with the Portuguese port city through a route that passes Bermuda and the Azores. The 7,000-kilometer (4,350-mile) cable includes 16 fiber pairs, offering a total design capacity of approximately 384 terabits per second. This addition enhances the existing network of high-capacity subsea cables connecting Portugal to other regions, including the Google-owned Equiano cable to South Africa and the EllaLink cable to Brazil. Nuvem represents a strategic investment in strengthening the digital infrastructure that supports growing demands for cloud computing and artificial intelligence services. Giorgia Abeltino, head of government affairs and public policy for Google Cloud EMEA, emphasized that the project aligns with efforts to position Portugal and Europe as key players in the global digital economy. She noted that such infrastructure is essential for supporting the increasing reliance on data-driven technologies. The cable’s landing in Sines underscores Portugal’s role as a critical node in the transatlantic data network. The country’s Atlantic coastline makes it an ideal location for subsea cable hubs, facilitating connections between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This geographic advantage has positioned Portugal as a potential hub for AI-driven data centers. Officials have highlighted the importance of this connectivity in reinforcing Europe’s digital resilience and sovereignty. State Reform and Innovation Minister Goncalo Matias praised the project during the cable landing ceremony, describing Portugal’s emerging status as the “Atlantic gateway of Europe.” He pointed to the convergence of three continents, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, as a defining feature of the nation’s strategic positioning. The minister also noted that Portugal’s coastal location plays a crucial role in attracting investment in data center infrastructure and related technologies. In addition to its geographical advantages, Portugal is leveraging its abundant supply of low-cost renewable energy to support its ambitions in the tech sector. Over 2.6 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity are currently under development, with the 1.2-gigawatt Start Campus project in Sines leading the initiative. This project is expected to benefit from Microsoft’s investments in AI infrastructure, further solidifying Portugal’s appeal as a destination for advanced technological projects. The Nuvem cable will contribute to expanding the bandwidth available for cross-border data transmission, supporting both commercial and governmental operations reliant on real-time information exchange. With the rising demand for cloud-based services and AI applications, the additional capacity will help meet the needs of businesses and institutions operating across the Atlantic. The cable’s deployment reflects a broader trend of increased investment in subsea infrastructure to accommodate the exponential growth of digital communication and data processing requirements.