Caribbean Express (CX) - is a new build submarine cable system that is being developed by Ocean Networks. The carrier neutral CX system will connect Points of Presence between Boca Raton (Florida) and Balboa (Panama) with branch connections to Mexico and Columbia. In addition, the system will have future connectivity to the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Guatemala, Jamaica, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The CX system will utilize the latest Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) technology and have 18 fiber pairs at a minimum of 20Tbit per fiber pair.
This strategic system will fill a requirement for the emerging markets of Central America by providing low latency connectivity to the NAP of Americas at Miami (Florida) and the Jacksonville (Florida) NAP. The CX system will be the only system in the Caribbean region that can offer full fiber pairs to the market. Many cable systems in the region are nearing their “end of life” so the CE will fill a need in the marketplace.
Ocean Networks, Inc. is a privately held telecom development and service company that is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia (USA). Ocean Networks develops submarine cable systems for carriers, content providers, governments, as well as research and education groups. Under its subsidiary Submarine Cable Salvage, Ocean Networks repurposes Out of Service (OOS) submarine cable systems for ocean science. Ocean Networks currently owns 8,000+ km of submarine cable systems globally.
Telecom Review recently visited with Scott J. Schwertfager President & CEO and David A. Blau Chief Operating Officer at Caribbean Express in order to give our readers an overview of the system.
Breda Financial Corp. (Breda) and Capital Investment & Asset Management Group (CIAM) have executed an agreement with Ocean Networks, Inc. (ONI) to invest in the construction of the Caribbean Express (CX) submarine cable system.
The companies will also create a platform to develop submarine cable systems globally. Breda and CIAM are providing 100% of the required equity financing to bring the CX project to contract in force with the system supplier.
The system will be managed and operated by ONI. The System will offer SDM technology with 18 fiber pairs. The initial design is 3,472km’s and will connect Boca Raton (Florida), Balboa (Panama), Cancun (Mexico), and Cartagena (Colombia). Additionally, the system will be designed for future connectivity to the Bahamas, Guatemala, Honduras, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
The system will have 18 fiber pairs and dark fiber pair IRUs will be offered on a limited basis.