Ocean Networks taps Xtera SLTE for South America Pacific Link submarine network

Having recently announced it had secured mezzanine funding for the South America Pacific Link (SAPL) submarine cable network (see “Ocean Networks secures funding for Pacific submarine cable”), Ocean Networks, Inc. is wasting no time in allocating the money. The owner and developer of the planned 9400-km undersea cable system has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Xtera Communications, Inc. for the turnkey supply and installation of optical transmission hardware for SAPL.

SAPL will link Manta, Ecuador to Oahu, Hawaii. Xtera will design and install the SAPL system using the optical transport vendor’s submarine line terminal equipment (SLTE) and subsea optical repeater. Thanks to the use of coherent transmission, the SAPL system will have three fiber pairs, each with a design capacity exceeding 10 Tbps, Xtera says. The SAPL system also will have two branching units based on optical add/drop multiplexers strategically positioned for future connectivity.

Ocean Network believes SAPL will fill a need for capacity among the emerging markets of South America who will require connectivity to the Asia Pacific region, Australia, and New Zealand via interconnects with existing and planned submarine cable systems. The Manta landing station also will provide connectivity with planned and existing systems to provide an improved route to the Caribbean region and US East Coast.

The SAPL cable system is planned for completion in mid-2016.

“Ocean Networks is very confident in our choice of supplier. Xtera brings the latest, proven technology, demonstrated project management capabilities and a cost effective solution,” said Scott Schwertfager, CEO of Ocean Networks.

“Xtera is extremely pleased to have been awarded this strategic system for the emerging markets of South America. This is a further illustration of Xtera’s migration to the position of turnkey infrastructure supplier after the successful execution of more than five turnkey projects in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans,” said Jon Hopper, CEO of Xtera. “After having established a strong footprint in the Caribbean and Atlantic areas, we now want to focus more on the Pacific Ocean where we see considerable growth opportunities and a good fit for our subsea product and service line.”

For more information on high-speed transmission systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.