Norwegian firm pitches new undersea cable which will bypass the US entirely 2,800-mile link aims to connect Europe and Canada

Date:
Fri, 23 Oct 2026 00:05:00 +0000

Description:
Canada is exploring a 2,800-mile undersea cable connecting directly with Europe, reducing reliance on American infrastructure amid worsening
diplomatic relations.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Canada is exploring alternative data routes amid worsening relations with Washington Norwegian firm Bulk proposes a 2,800-mile cable bypassing American territory entirely The
proposed transatlantic connection could cost more than $620 million Worsening relations between Washington and Ottawa have prompted Canada to explore alternatives to relying on the United States for international data connections.

Norwegian company Bulk is proposing a 2,800-mile undersea cable linking southern Norway with Newfoundland and Labrador before continuing across
Canada without passing through American territory. The company is seeking a Canadian majority partner to help finance the Leif Erikson project, which is expected to cost more than $620 million. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: Leif Erikson offers an alternative transatlantic route The planned connection would reach Happy Valley-Goose Bay before following an underground route through Quebec towards Montreal, requiring additional construction across Canadian territory.

Bulk co-founder Peder Nrb has promoted the proposal as part of a Canadian sovereign communications network designed to provide direct access to
European infrastructure. You may like Google is building three huge new
subsea cables to connect North, Central and South America NATO prevented Russia from cutting a critical undersea cable using a tool that leaves no 'traceable fingerprints' on fibre-optic wires 1,400km long lines are part of NASA's Near Space Network Meta unfurls Petal, a 1,000,000 Gbps internet cable 4,300 miles long that's 3.3 million times quicker than the average US connection, and probably fast enough to transfer all original songs ever produced in less than a second

According to details presented to prospective investors, the system would support high-capacity data transfers for AI, telecommunications and large-scale computing operations.

Nrb has questioned the resilience of Canada's international communications infrastructure, arguing that its existing connections leave the country vulnerable to disruptions. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features
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Bulk has spent approximately five years trying to advance the initiative, although securing the necessary approvals, investment and partners remains a substantial obstacle.

The company has already installed more than 6,200 miles of cable across land and underwater routes, supporting its activities in digital infrastructure
and connectivity.

Its stated ambition is to help Nordic renewable electricity supply the energy requirements of digital infrastructure, including facilities serving computing-intensive industries. What to read next Oregon set to start
charging service providers for undersea cables Chinese ship spotted 'lurking' near Taiwan's subsea internet cables linking it to the US Digital rights advocates urge EU to step in and save encryption from Canada's Bill C-22 Canadian ownership and regulatory challenges Despite attracting potential backers, the project still requires additional financing, regulatory
approvals and agreement between Canadian and European authorities on its route.

Bulk has considerable Canadian financial ties, with 65% of the company owned by a property subsidiary of Sun Life Financial, alongside investments from several Canadian pension funds.

However, existing Canadian ownership does not eliminate the need to secure a majority partner willing to support the project's development and construction.

Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly met Nrb earlier this year, although her department declined to comment specifically on Leif Erikson.

According to Bloomberg, the department said that protecting infrastructure security and resilience remained a priority for Prime Minister Mark Carney's government.

Canada has relatively few international submarine cable connections that
avoid American territory, and none is owned by a Canadian company.

One major alternative, the Topaz cable, connects Canada and Japan and belongs to Alphabet, Google 's parent company.

The European Union and Canada must still coordinate the proposed cable's
route and approve the project before construction can advance.

Its planned underground section would cover approximately 1,180 miles within Canada, requiring support from Indigenous communities along the route.

Canada and Europe also intend to endorse a statement in Montreal on October 29, 2026 concerning improved digital connections between Europe, Canada and Asia.

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