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Project Activities

The objective of WP5 is to produce a highlevel plan for new submarine and terrestrial cable
systems inter-connecting EU member states, overseas territories and third
countries with whom the EU has strong ties and interests.

The work package 5 led by NORDUnet
includes three main activities

Coordinating Vision 2030

Coordinating Vision 2030 for the North Atlantic and the Arctic section of the Digital Global Gateway will be developed and coordinated in cooperation with relevant international stakeholders. Multiple diverse paths traversing the Polar region (possibly under the North Pole ice), including OCT areas, will be considered, and a plan to support the implementation of cable systems will be created.

Arctic Route Options

Feasibility study to identify and evaluate the different Arctic fibre cable route options connecting Europe and Asia through the Arctic region as direct route as possible.

Sensing Cable Technologies

Feasibility study to identify and evaluate the Arctic opportunities and obstacles in the field of sensing cable technologies. The studies will consider the technical, commercial, and regulatory feasibility, including geopolitical challenges.

WP5 Task descriptions

Task 5.1 Coordinating Vision 2030

The task will focus on coordinating the vision for the North Atlantic and Arctic section of the Digital Global Gateway. The main objective is to gain an understanding of the needs of the users and collaborators, overall development in the surrounding society, and also a joint wish by all stakeholders to make it a reality. Vision 2030 will be developed and coordinated in cooperation with relevant international stakeholders through a range of activities – close collaboration between European telecommunication carriers, assessing Japanese and US/Canadian interests on the Arctic submarine cable systems, including the needs of the research and innovation community and the major European R&I initiatives.

Task 5.2 Arctic route options

The task will focus on a feasibility study to identify and evaluate the different Arctic fibre cable route options, including technical, commercial, and regulatory feasibility, will be carried out.
The study will include assessment of polar class vessels needed for their construction and maintenance, and evaluation of the route and ring structure options of the envisioned routes
FNF and Borealis, traversing through the North Pole under the polar ice cap. Also technology required of the cable laying vessels for crossing the North Pole ice will be investigated.

Task 5.3 Sensing cable technologies

The task will carry out a feasibility study to identify and evaluate the Arctic opportunities and obstacles in the field of sensing cable technology will be carried out. The study will consider
the technical, commercial, and regulatory feasibility, including geopolitical challenges. The impact of using sensing cable technologies on science especially in the fields of climate
change, oceanography, and seismology will be assessed.

Leads - participants

Task 5.1

Erik-Jan Bos

Coordinator of the Vision 2030

Task 5.2

Magnus Friberg

Task Leader

Task 5.3

Henrik Wessing

Task Leader

Work Package 5 Steering group

The steering group is responsible for the WP5 budget and the execution of WP5 activities. Follows up on progress and decides on mitigations and reallocation of budget etc.

Members of the WP5 Steering group:
• Jørgen Qvist, NORDUnet
• Per Nihlén, SUNET
• Teemu Kiviniemi, CSC
Kastruplundgade 22,
DK-2770 Kastrup