UK Backs Study for Shetland-Norway Data Cable
The feasibility study would examine a new subsea link that could be the first direct Norway-Scotland data cable in about a quarter century.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Data Centers
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The UK government has backed a feasibility study for a new subsea data cable between the Shetland Islands and Norway, to be led by VodafoneThree, the UK's largest mobile network operator. The study will begin next summer.
Why it matters
The proposed cable is intended to strengthen national resilience as foreign threats to critical undersea infrastructure grow, and would protect the British economy if existing subsea routes were severely disrupted.
The proposed link would be the first new direct Norway-Scotland subsea data cable in about 25 years, joining three existing UK-Norway cables and one other planned route. Underwater landing points in western Norway and the final route remain to be identified by the feasibility study.
The players
VodafoneThree
VodafoneThree is the UK's largest mobile network operator, leading the feasibility study for the proposed cable.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton
Sir Richard Knighton is Britain's chief of the defence staff, who told the Financial Times last week that protecting undersea cables was a priority.
The details
VodafoneThree is spearheading the feasibility study, with initial research by WPI Strategy commissioned by Vodafone Business. The study will identify potential underwater routes between Shetland and Norway, while the defence ministry examines detection technologies including underwater hydrophone networks and AI-enabled buoys and sailboats. Shetland suffered significant internet outages last year, adding urgency to the connectivity case.
Timeline
Last year: Shetland suffered significant internet outages.
April: Then-defence secretary John Healey revealed British and allied forces tracked a covert month-long operation involving three Russian submarines.
Next summer: The feasibility study begins.
Big Picture
The proposal follows the April disclosure that British and allied forces tracked three Russian submarines during a covert month-long surveying operation in the North Atlantic. It reflects a growing focus on defending undersea data links as foreign activity around critical infrastructure draws attention.
A resilient Norway-UK data link could help keep businesses, public services and networks running if existing subsea routes are disrupted. Residents of Shetland, which suffered significant internet outages last year, would be among those most directly affected by any added capacity.
The takeaway
Undersea cables carry much of the world's data, so protecting and diversifying their routes is becoming a core concern for national resilience. Readers following digital infrastructure should watch how the feasibility study's findings shape future connectivity planning.
What happens next
The feasibility study led by VodafoneThree begins next summer, identifying potential underwater routes and landing points in western Norway.
Further reading
Explore more on Data Centers to see how subsea links connect to the broader infrastructure behind digital services.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Financial Times News.
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