EllaLink Installs Subsea Branching Units for Amazon Connectivity
EllaLink has placed two branching units on the seabed to prepare for future submarine cable connections to the Brazilian states of Pará and Maranhão. The units, deployed at depths of about 3,900 meters, will allow new branches to be added without disrupting the main cable system. The project is funded by local governments and the European Union.
The branching units were manufactured and installed by Alcatel Submarine Networks as part of the Lum@link system, which links Cayenne, French Guiana, to the main EllaLink backbone. Their placement at depths exceeding 3,600 meters means future connections to Salinópolis and São Luís can be activated without deep-water intervention on the existing route. EllaLink has already completed cable route studies, preliminary permitting, and environmental assessments for both branches.
The project is jointly funded by the Pará and Maranhão state governments, with grant support from the European Union and co-financing from the Inter-American Development Bank Group and the Agence Française de Développement Group. It forms the Brazilian component of the broader "Mais Conectado" initiative for the Amazon. Each branch will be operated by EllaLink initially, then ownership transfers to the respective state, with capacity controlled entirely by the states.
These connections could substantially reduce reliance on long terrestrial backhaul routes that have historically limited digital access in the Amazon region. Local communities may gain improved broadband for healthcare, education, and e-government services, while the 17 Tbps initial capacity could support business development and attract investment. The integrated SMART sensors may also enhance climate and seismic monitoring. However, realizing these benefits depends on effective last-mile infrastructure and local adoption, meaning the full societal impact may take years to materialize.