The companies Equitix, MDM, and Orange have announced the launch of a joint venture ("joint venture") to develop the Pisces project, a next-generation submarine cable system that will provide a direct digital connection between Ireland and continental Europe.
Carine Romanetti has taken on the role of general director of the new company, called Pisces Cable System Limited.
The future infrastructure will have an approximate length of 3,125 kilometers and will be equipped with 16 pairs of optical fibers.
The route will connect the towns of Galway (Ireland), Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez (France), Sopelana (Spain) —where Orange will build a new landing station— and Carcavelos (Portugal).
The objective of the project is to respond to the growing demand for connectivity in Ireland and contribute to the goals of the European Union's (EU) "Global Gateway" strategy.
The initiative is funded by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) community program, aimed at promoting digital infrastructures considered strategic.
The Pisces cable will provide a direct, very high-capacity route, in dark fiber and with open access, to channel traffic between data centers and "hyperscalers" located in Ireland and the rest of the European continent.
In addition, this infrastructure will connect with the main transatlantic and international systems already in operation.
The marine study of the route, carried out by Elettra Tlc and Orange Marine, concluded last August. Currently, engineering work and authorization processes are advancing, with plans to begin the cable deployment in 2028.
The investment is structured through the Equitix Infra Ireland fund, backed by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), along with the participation of Orange and MDM.