Chilean regulator Subtel says it has received four offers to carry out a feasibility study of a project to implement the first submarine fibre optic cable between Chile and Antarctica.
The proposals were received last week. Subtel has until 8 January 2025 to deliver the results of the technical evaluation of the offers and, in turn, to award the study.
The four companies that submitted offers to Subtel were: Consorcio Raylex-AMBEC; Consorcio TMG/WFN; Consorcio Salience/Pioneer; and Deloitte Consultoría Limitada. A technical review of the offers will now take place.
As Claudio Araya San Martin, Chilean Undersecretary of Telecommunications, explains: “Currently Antarctica has only satellite connectivity solutions, so being able to connect this territory through a technology such as fibre optics will allow us to strengthen the scientific research of all those who today are making great contributions in terms of knowledge from that territory.”
The study will provide some of the information needed to decide on how this project might be carried out.
Among the areas it examines, the study is expected to address an optimal route for the submarine cable and the technical solution for the project, seeking to respect the applicable environmental regulations.
It is also likely to outline in detail the potential risks of the project and its possible negative and positive impacts, as well as making recommendations and suggesting ways to mitigate risks and challenges.
As news resource TeleSemana points out, Antarctica is a territory that does not belong to any country since it is governed by the Antarctic Treaty. However, it has seen the establishment of a number of scientific bases to preserve marine resources.
We reported over a year ago that the Chilean government had signed an agreement with a development bank to begin feasibility studies for an undersea fibre cable linking it to the Antarctic. It is, however, unclear whether this latest announcement replaces this agreement or is related to it.
