Amazon launches 'Fastnet' underwater cable connecting Cork and the US

Transatlantic subsea fibre optic cable will be operational by 2028

The Fastnet cable will connect from West Cork to Maryland in the US. Graphic from Amazon website. 

Amazon have launched a new transatlantic underwater fibre optic cable connecting Cork with Maryland on the US east coast, which will be operational by 2028.

The Fastnet system, which will connect near Castlefreke in West Cork, will keep data services running even if other undersea cables encounter issues, according to Amazon Web Services (AWS). The system delivers data at speeds of more than 320 terabits per second —enough to stream 12.5m HD films simultaneously.

The system will provide back-up routes if other cables encounter issues and creates a network design for cloud and AI applications.

The Amazon Fastnet cable is reinforced to "protect against natural and human activity", the company said. Picture from Amazon website.

"Amazon’s new Fastnet transatlantic subsea cable represents a vote of confidence in Ireland’s digital future, helping to enable the next wave of innovation in cloud computing and artificial intelligence," said Taoiseach Micheál Martin. "By linking Co Cork to Maryland in the United States, Ireland will become a true gateway to Europe for submarine telecommunications cables. This investment will enhance our global connectivity, reinforce the resilience of critical digital infrastructure, and strengthen our economic competitiveness."

Last month, an internet outage caused huge disruption to AWS services globally, including some of the web's most popular apps like Snapchat and Reddit. 

According to Amazon, the Fastnet system is designed to handle growing AI traffic loads and combines "robust cable armoring with additional layers of protective steel wires in nearshore areas to protect against natural and human activity".

AWS's global infrastructure spans 38 regions around the world connected by over 9m kms of terrestrial and subsea fibre optic cabling. Amazon said the Fastnet service will keep running even if other undersea cables encounter issues. "This enhanced network resilience will improve global connectivity and meet rising demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI)," a company statement said.

"Through Fastnet, customers benefit from secured long-term capacity and rapidly scalable bandwidth for their most critical operations, from generative AI and cloud-native applications to advanced research, transatlantic business connectivity, and international commerce. This investment in network diversity helps ensure customers can reliably access their cloud resources, with the flexibility to quickly expand capacity as their demands grow."

Amazon said it is establishing community benefit funds for the local community in Co Cork. "Infrastructure projects of this scale succeed when they're built in partnership with communities. From day one, AWS has worked closely with local organizations, nonprofits, and residents in both Maryland and Co Cork ... we will work directly with stakeholders to identify and support initiatives that address each community's unique needs and priorities."