The Foundation for Science and Technology, through the FCCN, and the NORDUnet, entity that interconnects research and education networks in the Nordic countries, sign a Memorandum of Understanding to support the initiative Polar Connect.
This agreement aligns with the concerns of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union regarding international digital connectivity. It aims to safeguard European digital sovereignty by achieving secure and resilient connectivity across the Arctic to Asia and North America, fostering research, development, innovation, and education.
Direct interconnection between Europe and Asia is planned
More than 97% of internet traffic currently flows over submarine cables. However, in the current geopolitical context, the routes of these cables have become unsafe, making it imperative to explore alternative routes. This memorandum provides that Polar Connect use a new submarine cable route through the Arctic. This measure will enable direct interconnection between Europe and Asia, using a resilient, secure and sovereign infrastructure, crucial for European digital autonomy.
FCCN, FCT's digital services, and NORDUnet have a long history of collaboration, dating back to the early days of research and education networks in Europe, and the creation of the network GÉANT.
João Nuno Ferreira, General Coordinator of FCCN, FCT digital services, emphasizes that “Polar Connect is an initiative of Digital Global Gateways, complementary to Ellalink, and which is supported by FCT as it is highly strategic, providing Portugal with access to a direct, resilient and sovereign link to East Asia, allowing new opportunities for communication and collaboration in research”.
Both entities recognize the strategic importance of a strong, sustainable and resilient international presence for Europe, committing to moving forward with the Digital Global Gateways – technological infrastructures that facilitate the flow of digital information, represented here by systems that promote connectivity between different continents.
