This network, scheduled for completion in the first half of 2011, will allow CanaLink to meet the exponential growth in demand for increased broadband internet connectivity in the Canary Islands. It will support new IP services and applications, high-speed data centers used in renewable energy research, telecommunications services, public administration, and the academic and research community – particularly with the connection of the telescopes located atop the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on the island of La Palma.
With a capacity of up to 5.12 Terabits/s on the main segment between mainland Spain and Tenerife, CanaLink will contribute to the realization of ALIX, an initiative through which the Government of Tenerife aims to make its island a hub for information technologies serving Africa, South America, and Europe. The submarine cable network will also support the NAPWACI (Network Access Point of Western Africa and the Canary Islands) data center, a key component of ALIX, which will be located in Tenerife and will make the Canary Islands a hub for reliable, high-availability connectivity with West Africa.
“This project will contribute to the socioeconomic development of the Canary Islands by facilitating access for its businesses and citizens to a diverse and competitive range of broadband services,” said Alfonso Gajate, president of IslaLink and CanaLink. “Alcatel-Lucent’s proven experience will help us meet our customers’ expectations efficiently and with the highest levels of quality.”
“The flexibility and scalability offered by our solutions allow our customers to adapt to the rapidly growing adoption rates of data services,” commented Philippe Dumont, director of submarine networks at Alcatel-Lucent. “With this project, CanaLink will have access to the most advanced technologies and the necessary bandwidth availability for users to enjoy the most satisfactory communications services.”

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