Europe plans to lay undersea internet cables via the Arctic to avoid high-risk geopolitical bottlenecks.
The European Union is exploring a plan to lay new undersea internet cables through the Arctic to connect Europe directly with Asia. In doing so, the EU aims to become less dependent on existing routes through geopolitically unstable regions such as the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the plans, two new cable routes may be investigated. One route runs through Canada’s Northwest Passage, while a second project would run directly from Scandinavia through the Arctic.
Issues in the Red Sea
Approximately 90 percent of internet traffic between Europe and Asia currently flows through cables in the Middle East. The Red Sea, in particular, represents a critical bottleneck.
In 2024, a ship struck by a Houthi missile damaged three major undersea cables after dragging its anchor across the seabed. Repairs took months because cable ships first had to secure safety guarantees before they could enter the area.
A year later, four more cables were damaged after another commercial vessel dragged its anchor across the seabed. There, too, protracted negotiations caused significant delays in the repair process.
Technical challenges remain immense
However, the Arctic route presents significant technical and economic challenges. Sea ice and icebergs can damage cables by scraping across the seabed. Nevertheless, Europe seems prepared to accept these challenges. Undersea cables have become critical infrastructure for cloud platforms, AI services, and international communication. The EU is aiming for a functional connection by 2030, though this timing remains uncertain due to the extreme conditions in the Arctic region.