Direção de Projectos (DP)

FCT and NORDUnet, the organization that connects research and education networks in the Nordic countries, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the Polar Connect initiative. This agreement is in line with the concerns of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union regarding international digital connectivity. It aims to safeguard European digital sovereignty by achieving secure and resilient connectivity across the Arctic to Asia and North America for research, development, innovation and education.

More than 97% of internet traffic currently travels over submarine cables. However, in the current geopolitical context, the routes of these cables have become insecure, making it imperative to explore alternative routes. This memorandum provides for Polar Connect to use a new submarine cable route through the Arctic. This will enable direct interconnection between Europe and Asia, using a resilient, secure and sovereign infrastructure that is crucial for European digital autonomy.

FCCN, FCT’s digital services, and NORDUnet have a long history of collaboration, dating back to the early days of research and education networks in Europe and the creation of the GÉANT network. Both entities recognize the strategic importance of a strong, sustainable and resilient international presence for Europe and are committed to advancing Digital Global Gateways – technological infrastructures that facilitate the flow of digital information, represented here by systems that promote connectivity between different continents.

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