Computerworld

Alcatel-Lucent tasked with trans-Tasman cable build

"This project confirms the continued growth of connectivity needs in Australasia and in the Asia region overall."

Alcatel-Lucent has signed a contract with a consortium composed of Spark New Zealand Cables, Telstra and Vodafone to deploy the Tasman Global Access (TGA) undersea cable system that will connect New Zealand to Australia on a direct 2,300 km link.

As reported by Computerworld New Zealand this morning, the cable will be designed with a capacity of at least 20 Terabits per second (Tbit/s), the new TGA system will offer low-latency connectivity across the Tasman Sea, between Raglan, in New Zealand, and Narrabeen, in Australia.

According to Alcatel, the system will provide an alternative route for trans-Tasman traffic, "significantly improving" New Zealand's international connectivity, as well as strengthening links into fast-growing Asian markets.

"This project confirms the continued growth of connectivity needs in Australasia and in the Asia region overall," says Philippe Dumont, President of Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks.

"We are pleased to provide our 100G coherent technology to help the consortium build the Tasman Global Access cable that will significantly improve the bandwidth and reliability for traffic to and from New Zealand.”