THE MOST EXTREME PORTAL IN THE WORLD

Submarine Optical Networks One Step Away From Connecting Antarctica

BY JAVIER VALDEZ

INTRODUCTION - THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTIVITY AT THE END OF THE WORLD

Connectivity is a fundamental need in the digital age in which we live. Communication networks play a crucial role in the transmission of information and in connecting people around the world. In this regard, the submarine connection between Ushuaia and Puerto Williams holds great strategic importance for the economic, social, and cultural development of the region.

The Island of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, with its capital in Ushuaia, has an area of 987,168 km² and a population of 190,641 inhabitants, according to the 2022 Census. On the other hand, the Chilean side of the island has an area of 22,553 km² and a population of 8,354 inhabitants, as per data from 2017. Puerto Williams has a population of 2,874 inhabitants, according to the 2002 census.

Regional Objective And Strategy

The Tierra del Fuego region, located in southern Patagonia, is rich in natural and tourist resources. Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, is a major tourist destination known for its spectacular landscapes and unique fauna and flora. Puerto Williams, on the other hand, is the capital of the commune of Cabo de Hornos, in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic region. This city serves as the Chilean Navy’s operations center in Antarctica and is a starting point for expedition trips to Antarctica.

The submarine connection between Ushuaia and Puerto Williams would significantly improve the region’s connectivity. Currently, communication between these two cities is facilitated through satellite and terrestrial connections, which limit the speed and quality of communications. The submarine connection would allow for greater speed and data transmission capacity, thereby boosting the development of various activities in the region.

In economic terms, the submarine connection could stimulate the growth of the tourism, fishing, and mining sectors, among others. For instance, tourism is a key activity in the region, and the underwater connection would allow for greater promotion and visibility of local tourist destinations. Additionally, the submarine connection could also enhance the efficiency and safety of operations in the region’s ports and docks.

On the social front, the submarine connection would improve communication between local communities and authorities, allowing for better coordination in cases of emergencies and natural disasters. It would also enhance education and research by providing a stronger connection between educational and research institutions in the region.

Scenario And Area Of Influence

Figure 3 shows the points to connect with the submarine cable. Initially, considering a scenario of two landings, there is a landing that we could consider in Puerto Almanza, Argentina. This will depend on the degree of interest of the provincial and national authorities.

Desktop Study

In the Desktop Study (DTS), we performed it according to the recommendation of ICPC 9 (Minimum Technical Requirements for a desktop study). This was taken as a reference to carry out the marine part and survey for the cable installation.

The DTS of this project was a research exercise that defined the strip to install the first submarine fiber network that connected Chile and Argentina across the sea.

We carried out an analysis of the marine route that we could potentially undertake. The DTS results are preliminary since we will have to carry out the studies on site to verify and confirm that the study carried out can be built according to the studies conducted on site.

The cable route was proposed in the areas of greater protection and depths in the Beagle Channel, to reach the coasts as safely as possible. In the image, we can observe the CRS for stage 1.

The cable length for the wet plant is about 70 Km + 3

Km BU.

The study of the seabed profile and its depths show that this is sufficient for the cable route to be safe, finding some deformations or changes in the profile. In the following image, we will observe the profile. As for the depths, we can see them in Figures 4 and 5 for Ushuaia and Puerto Williams, respectively.

In addition, the project foresees, on the terrestrial part, the Argentine side, connecting to the REPROFO fiber optic network of the province of Tierra del Fuego. Through this, the connection to the continent is made. This network was built entirely underground, which makes it a safe network. It has a length of 400 km on land and then enters the sea, crossing the Strait of Magellan about 40 km to reach the mainland, Cabo Vírgenes in the province of Santa Cruz,

Argentina. From this point, the terrestrial network continues to the North of the country. This technical solution includes high-altitude fiber optic networks, considering the