SEA-ME-WE 6 Submarine Cable Lands in Marseille | Orange Expands Global Connectivity
Orange has successfully landed the SEA-ME-WE 6 (Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 6) submarine cable system in Marseille, France. This 21,700 km cable will connect France to Singapore, significantly enhancing connectivity between Europe and Asia.
Cutting-Edge Technology and Capacity
The SEA-ME-WE 6 cable employs state-of-the-art submarine fiber optic technologies, offering:
- Extremely high speeds
- Very low latency
- A capacity exceeding 130 Tbps
These features are designed to meet the escalating demands of the digital economy along this crucial route.
Orange’s Role and Infrastructure
As the designated “landing party” in France, Orange is:
- Hosting the cable in its secure Marseille infrastructure
- Providing neutral access to all of Marseille’s data centers
- Utilizing a cutting-edge urban fiber optic ring for connectivity
Environmental Considerations
Orange has prioritized environmental protection and biodiversity preservation throughout the project:
- Conducted extensive environmental studies and geophysical surveys
- Optimized the cable route to minimize impact on sensitive marine areas
- Implemented specially designed anchors in vulnerable zones
- Planned for reduced vessel speeds during cable laying operations
- Arranged for long-term environmental monitoring and responsible future dismantling
Strategic Importance
Jean-Louis Le Roux, Director of International Networks at Orange, emphasized the significance of this new route:
- Offers high-speed, high-performance “express” connectivity between France and Asia
- Improves speeds to Orange’s Indian Ocean sites
- Meets long-term customer needs on this strategic route
- Enables wholesale customers to connect with networks in Asia, Africa, and the Americas
- Reinforces France’s position as a central European hub for international connectivity
Recent Developments
Since the initial announcement, several noteworthy developments have occurred:
- Expanded Consortium: The SEA-ME-WE 6 project now involves a consortium of 16 global telecom and technology companies, highlighting its international significance.
- Maldives Connection: In August 2024, Dhiraagu, a Maldivian digital service provider, became the first Maldivian company to join the SEA-ME-WE 6 consortium as a co-owner, extending the cable’s reach to the Maldives.
- Sri Lanka Landing: On December 29, 2024, Sri Lanka Telecom announced the successful landing of the SEA-ME-WE 6 cable in Matara, Sri Lanka, further expanding the system’s coverage.
- Completion Timeline: The entire SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable system is expected to be fully operational by early 2026, connecting 11 countries from Singapore to France.
Orange continues to invest in global submarine cable projects, with involvement in over 40 submarine cables worldwide. This strategy aims to ensure and enhance the quality of service across its international network.
What are the long-term benefits of the SEA-ME-WE 6 cable for Orange’s customers?
The SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable system offers several long-term benefits for Orange’s customers:
Enhanced Connectivity
- The cable will provide high-speed, high-performance “express” connectivity between France and Asia, significantly improving communication speeds and reliability.
- With a capacity exceeding 130 Tbps, the system will meet the growing needs of customers and the digital economy along this strategic route.
Improved Network Resilience
- SEA-ME-WE 6 adds diversity to Orange’s existing network, enhancing overall reliability and reducing the risk of service disruptions.
- The cable’s design allows for single-end feed power operation in case of far-end faults, ensuring continued service even during potential issues.
Advanced Technologies
- Utilizing the latest submarine fiber optic technologies, the cable offers very high speeds and very low latency.
- The system incorporates SubCom’s 18kV power source technology and Enhanced Branching Units (eBUs), providing flexible power and optical fiber routing capabilities.
Expanded Global Reach
- Orange customers will benefit from improved connectivity to multiple regions, including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe.
- The cable enables Orange’s wholesale customers to join international networks extending to Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Future-Proofing
- SEA-ME-WE 6 positions Orange to meet long-term customer needs on this strategic route, supporting emerging technologies and applications.
- The cable’s high capacity and advanced features make it suitable for supporting future 5G and 6G applications, as well as the growing data center industry.
Economic Development
- By improving connectivity, the cable system can foster economic growth and digital transformation in the regions it serves.
- Enhanced internet access can lead to increased adoption of cloud services and stimulate new use cases for businesses and consumers.
These benefits collectively ensure that Orange can provide its customers with more advanced, high-capacity services, improved network reliability, and support for future digital innovations along this crucial intercontinental route.
