Norte Conectado (Infovia 08)

Overview

Norte Conectado (Infovia 08) is a submarine cable system designed to connect two landing points within Brazil: Cruzeiro do Sul and Fonte Boa. This cable is part of Brazil’s broader efforts to enhance its telecommunications infrastructure, particularly in the Amazon region. While specific details regarding its operational status or capacity are not publicly available, the cable is a critical component of Brazil's domestic network, aiming to improve connectivity in remote areas of the country. Norte Conectado (Infovia 08) is one of several initiatives under the Norte Conectado program, which seeks to expand digital access across northern Brazil, a region characterized by vast distances and challenging geography.

Route and Landings

The Norte Conectado (Infovia 08) cable spans a route entirely within Brazil, linking Cruzeiro do Sul in the state of Acre to Fonte Boa in the state of Amazonas. Both landing points are situated in the Amazon basin, a region dominated by dense rainforest and extensive river systems. Cruzeiro do Sul, located near Brazil's western border, serves as an important regional hub for Acre. Fonte Boa, positioned along the Solimões River, is a key community in Amazonas. These locations are separated by hundreds of kilometers of challenging terrain, making submarine cable infrastructure a practical solution for reliable connectivity.

The cable traverses inland waterways and possibly shallow riverbeds, reflecting the unique geographic challenges of the Amazon region. Unlike traditional submarine cables that cross oceans, Norte Conectado (Infovia 08) adapts to Brazil's internal geography, providing crucial links between isolated communities. This connection is expected to enhance internet access and digital services in areas where terrestrial infrastructure is limited or impractical due to environmental constraints.

Ownership and History

The Norte Conectado (Infovia 08) cable is operated by Telxius, a subsidiary of Telefónica, one of Spain’s largest telecommunications companies. Telefónica has a significant presence in Latin America, with operations spanning multiple countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Telxius specializes in managing and deploying submarine cable systems, contributing to the region's growing demand for digital infrastructure.

The Norte Conectado program, under which Infovia 08 falls, is a Brazilian government initiative aimed at expanding connectivity in the northern part of the country. This program recognizes the strategic importance of digital inclusion in the Amazon region, where traditional infrastructure development faces significant logistical and environmental challenges. Norte Conectado (Infovia 08) represents a step toward addressing these challenges, fostering economic development and social inclusion through improved digital access.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of the Norte Conectado (Infovia 08) cable system has revealed data performance across 12 measured corridors. The best recorded round-trip time (RTT) is an impressive 1 millisecond, indicating extremely low latency in optimal conditions. However, the average RTT across all corridors is 213 milliseconds, suggesting variability in performance depending on network traffic and other factors.

These measurements highlight the cable's role in supporting regional connectivity within Brazil. While the best RTT demonstrates the potential for high-speed data transfer, the average RTT reflects the challenges of maintaining consistent performance in a geographically complex region. The cable's inland route through the Amazon basin likely contributes to these variations, as environmental factors and infrastructure limitations can impact network stability.

Overall, Norte Conectado (Infovia 08) is a vital link for communities in Cruzeiro do Sul and Fonte Boa, providing improved access to digital services and fostering connectivity in one of Brazil's most remote regions. Our monitoring underscores the importance of continued investment in infrastructure to optimize performance and expand access across the Amazon.