EllaLink Launched Caribbean Gateway Submarine Cable Initiative
The project will connect French Guiana and the Caribbean to international networks to improve regional connectivity.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Data Centers
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EllaLink has initiated the Caribbean Gateway, a submarine cable project designed to provide a diverse, resilient link for territories currently relying on single corridors. The system will connect French Guiana and the Caribbean to Europe, Brazil, and North America.
Why it matters
The system provides a critical, fully diverse path for regions facing limited corridor options, supporting regional goals for resilient infrastructure. This project addresses the urgent need for new capacity as traffic grows and older systems near their scheduled phase-out.
The current EllaLink trunk, operational since 2021, spans 9,400 km with a 100 Tbps capacity and 60 ms round-trip latency. The upcoming Lum@link extension covers 2,100 km and has secured EUR 29.9 million in grant funding.
The players
EllaLink
This telecommunications company owns and operates a high-capacity submarine cable network connecting Europe and Latin America.
The details
EllaLink intends to convert existing letters of intent into firm commitments with landing parties, overseeing the design and construction before transferring branch ownership. The network will stretch from Cayenne through Martinique and Guadeloupe, with additional segments serving Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire.
Timeline
The original EllaLink trunk entered service in June 2021.
The Porto Declaration on submarine cable resilience was signed in February 2026.
The Caribbean Gateway initiative officially launched on September 29, 2026.
The Lum@link extension is expected to be ready for service by the end of 2026.
The Caribbean Gateway system is targeted to be ready for service by the end of 2029.
Roadmap
The Caribbean Gateway project marks a departure from traditional reliance on single-corridor cables as global data demands surge. It positions EllaLink to capture market share by integrating under-served Caribbean territories into an existing high-performance trans-Atlantic fabric.
Users in the Caribbean can expect improved internet reliability and reduced latency as the new infrastructure provides alternative data paths. These upgrades are essential for modernizing digital services, cloud access, and business connectivity across the region.
The takeaway
This initiative underscores the critical importance of subsea cable diversity in maintaining global internet stability. As older systems approach their end-of-life, strategic investments in new, resilient pathways are becoming essential for uninterrupted regional connectivity.
Further reading
For more on the expansion of critical digital infrastructure, visit the Data Centers section.
More information
Review technical specifications and project milestones at the EllaLink company information portal.
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