Google announces three new submarine cables linking Latin America

Google has announced a major expansion of its undersea cable network in the Americas, unveiling three new systems—Alisios, Canoa, and OlaLuz—under the initiative Americas Connect. The project aims to strengthen connectivity between Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States, and Europe, with República Dominicana positioned as a key hub Source: La República.

The cables

• Alisios connects República Dominicana, Panamá, and Chile, forming a Pacific ring with redundant routes to the US west coast Source: Infobae.
• Canoa links República Dominicana with Bermudas, integrating with existing Nuvem and Sol cables to reach Europe and North America Source: Listín Diario.
• OlaLuz provides a direct connection between República Dominicana and Florida, boosting capacity to the US east coast Source: El Día.

Additionally, Google will add a new branch of the Firmina cable landing directly in República Dominicana, extending its reach into the Caribbean Source: Hoy.

Regional impact

Chilean minister Louis de Grange called the project "a strategic milestone that reinforces our country's position as a digital leader in Latin America" Source: Emol. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said it supports the country's Digital Hub initiative Source: La República, while Dominican President Luis Abinader stated it "contributes to closing the digital divide" Source: El Día.

Investment and timeline

Listín Diario reports the first phase investment exceeds US$500 million, and construction of the initial cables is slated to begin in March Source: Listín Diario. However, other outlets did not specify a timeline, and the exact start date remains unconfirmed across sources.