In a significant development poised to redefine digital infrastructure across the Americas, the Trans Americas Fiber System (TAFS) is bringing online its new TAM-1 subsea cable. This ambitious project, spanning approximately 7,200 kilometers, will create a vital, high-capacity, and low-latency connection linking Central America and the Caribbean directly with the United States. Powering this new digital superhighway is cutting-edge technology from Ciena, a leader in optical networking solutions, ensuring the Caribbean region is better equipped to meet the surging demands of the modern digital landscape.
A New Digital Backbone for the Americas
The TAM-1 cable system represents a monumental leap in subsea connectivity, marking the first scalable, neutral fiber system to directly connect Central America and the Caribbean to the U.S. in decades. With a total capacity exceeding 650 Terabits per second (Tbps) distributed across 24 southbound and 12 northbound fiber pairs, the TAM-1 network is engineered to support the escalating bandwidth requirements driven by artificial intelligence (AI), 5G mobile networks, edge computing, and an ever-increasing reliance on cloud services and streaming.
Construction on the TAM-1 system commenced in September 2023, with the northern route slated for commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2025. The network features two diverse subsea routes, significantly enhancing its resilience and providing critical low-latency connectivity for a wide array of applications. This infrastructure is designed to be highly programmable and automated, offering a future-proof solution for the region’s evolving digital needs.
Ciena’s GeoMesh Extreme: The Technology Driving Connectivity
At the heart of TAM-1’s advanced capabilities is Ciena’s GeoMesh Extreme technology. This sophisticated optical solution, powered by Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme and the 6500 Reconfigurable Line System (RLS), offers unparalleled spectral efficiency. This means more data can be transmitted across each fiber strand, optimizing the utilization of the cable’s capacity. The open architecture of Ciena’s technology also supports spectrum sharing and fluid scalability, allowing network operators to seamlessly expand their capacity as demand grows.
Ciena has a proven track record in enhancing subsea networks, with its GeoMesh Extreme technology having been previously deployed to upgrade other major cable systems, such as SEA-ME-WE 5 and C&W Networks, to meet soaring bandwidth demands and extend the life of existing assets. The adoption of Ciena’s technology for TAM-1 underscores its role in advancing global subsea connectivity.
Addressing the Caribbean’s Connectivity Challenges
The deployment of TAM-1 comes at a crucial time for the Caribbean and Central America. The region has experienced an annual growth rate in internet connectivity demand of over 30%, fueled by digital transformation initiatives, increased mobile internet usage, and the proliferation of data-intensive services. However, much of the existing infrastructure has been outdated, leading to higher costs, limited competition, and a heavy reliance on connecting through U.S. gateways.
By establishing direct, high-capacity links, TAM-1 aims to bridge these critical connectivity gaps. It provides a much-needed upgrade that will support national Caribbean carriers and governments in their digital economy efforts, offering improved access to information and services.
Key Partnerships and Future Vision
Trans Americas Fiber System (TAFS), a company backed by Global Telecommunication Investment UK Limited and LW Subsea Holdings, is spearheading the TAM-1 project. AT&T serves as the anchor tenant and landing party in all U.S. jurisdictions, playing a pivotal role in the project’s conception and ensuring strategic landing points. Xtera is serving as the turnkey EPC supplier, managing construction and providing essential hardware.
Julio Bran, CEO of TAFS, stated that the company is “leading a new generation of fluid connectivity for the Americas, one that redefines how networks are built, accessed, and scaled”. The successful completion of TAM-1’s marine surveys and ongoing construction signal a significant step towards realizing this vision. As this new era of connectivity dawns, the TAM-1 cable, powered by Ciena’s advanced optical technology, is set to be a cornerstone of the region’s digital future, fostering innovation and economic growth across the Caribbean and beyond. This development is a significant piece of news for the entire region.
The northern route of TAM-1 is expected to be Ready For Service (RFS) in Q4 2025, with the southern route following in Q1 2026.