Strengthening European Digital Connections with Polar Connect

FCT and NORDUnet, the entity that interconnects research and education networks in the Nordic countries, sign a Memorandum of Understanding to support the Polar Connect initiative. This agreement is in line with the concerns of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union regarding international digital connectivity. It aims to safeguard European digital sovereignty by achieving secure and resilient connectivity through the Arctic to Asia and North America for the benefit of research, development, innovation, and education.

More than 97% of internet traffic currently travels via submarine cables. However, in the current geopolitical context, the routes of these cables have become unsafe, making it imperative to explore alternative routes. This memorandum provides for Polar Connect to use a new submarine cable route through the Arctic. This measure will enable direct interconnection between Europe and Asia, using resilient, secure, and sovereign infrastructure, which is crucial for European digital autonomy.

FCCN, FCT's digital services, and NORDUnet have a long history of collaboration, dating back to the early days of research and education networks in Europe and the creation of the GÉANT network. Both entities recognize the strategic importance of a strong, sustainable, and resilient international presence for Europe, committing to move forward with Digital Global Gateways— technological infrastructures that facilitate the flow of digital information, represented here by systems that promote connectivity between different continents.