Members of the CELIA consortium introduced CELIA, a new high-capacity “express” submarine cable in the Caribbean region, connecting Aruba, Martinique, Antigua, Puerto Rico, and Boca Raton in Florida (U.S.). Utilizing the latest submarine fiber optic technologies, the CELIA (Caribbean ELIte Alliance) cable will span over 3,700 km, linking key points in the Caribbean and North America. The cable will feature a minimum of 8 fiber pairs, offering at least 22 terabits per second per fiber pair, with an initial estimated capacity exceeding 170 Tbps. CELIA is expected to go live in the third quarter of 2027.
The CELIA consortium includes SETAR as the landing partner in Aruba, Orange in Martinique, Telxius in Puerto Rico and Boca Raton, U.S., and APUA in Antigua. Telxius will also provide 24/7 monitoring and security from its Network Operations Centers (NOC). Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) has been selected as the end-to-end supplier for the submarine cable infrastructure. The contract, already in force, includes options to increase capacity and add new landing points.
CELIA will significantly enhance connectivity in the Caribbean region by providing high-capacity, secure data transfer and high-speed Internet with low latency. This strategic route will meet the region’s increasing digital demands and offer a high quality of service. Investments like CELIA are critical for connecting Caribbean islands to worldwide data networks, fostering sustainable economic growth, bridging the digital divide, and improving network resilience.
The CELIA project also incorporates high standards for environmental protection and biodiversity preservation, both in terrestrial and marine habitats. Careful route selection and the use of minimally invasive technologies aim to bypass sensitive areas. The consortium will collaborate closely with NGOs and local authorities to preserve ecosystems and support local communities.
“For an island like Aruba, it’s crucial to be connected to international data networks to attract private investments, stimulate local businesses, education, essential services, the hospitality sector, and for our integration into the global economy,” said Roland Croes, CEO of SETAR N.V.
Samir Benzahra, Director of Orange Antilles Guyane, remarked: “The CELIA project represents a significant advancement in connectivity and will improve the network resilience for the Caribbean region. By using cutting-edge fiber optic technologies, we are able to provide very high Internet speeds and secure data transfer capabilities while adhering to strict environmental standards. This project will highly contribute to local sustainable economic growth, and connections to other territories are being studied. We are proud that our subsidiary, Orange Marine, will be in charge of the marine deployment of the cable.”
Mario Martin, CEO at Telxius, added: “CELIA is another major step forward in the expansion of Telxius’ global network, increasing capacity and adding to our densely redundant routes across the Americas. We’re committed to delivering the lowest latency and highest connectivity performance for our business customers in the Caribbean and enhancing experiences for end users globally.”
John Bradshaw, General Manager of APUA, highlighted the project’s impact on Antigua and Barbuda: “This project is a giant step forward in the process of re-creation of Antigua and Barbuda’s digital environment. It depicts the continuous commitment of APUA in providing the best connectivity solutions, which will be vital in the growth of the country’s economy, support businesses, transform communities, and place Antigua and Barbuda as a pioneer in digital transformation within the OECS.”
Paul Gabla, ASN VP Marketing & Sales, reflected on CELIA’s contribution to Caribbean connectivity: “We would like to thank the CELIA consortium for putting their trust in ASN to deliver the latest generation in high-capacity subsea connectivity within the Caribbean to Florida, building upon our extensive experience in the region. This architecture creates a reliable and secure platform for sustained growth in a region subject to hurricanes and other natural challenges.”
