Seaborn Networks has signed a turnkey contract with Alcatel-Lucent to build Seabras-1, a new 10,700 km submarine cable system that will create a direct route between New York and Sao Paulo in Brazil, with a branch to Fortaleza, Brazil. Seaborn Networks and Alcatel-Lucent have already commenced the permit acquisition and marine survey work for the project.

The 100 Gigabit per second (100G) Seabras-1 system will deliver new capacity on the primary route for the majority of Internet, data and voice traffic between South America and the rest of the world. In addition, this new system will support a wide variety of consumer and business broadband services between two of the world’s most connected societies. By providing low-latency communication via a 10,400 km segment directly connecting Sao Paulo and New York, and route diversity via a 350 km branch to Fortaleza, Seabras-1 will also enhance traffic protection in the region.

“Seabras-1 will be the first direct route between New York and Sao Paulo and also the longest 100G transoceanic link to date. Once deployed, it will contribute with other ongoing initiatives to enhance trans-continental connectivity, for the benefit of the global consumer and business community,” said Philippe Dumont, President of Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks.