New Brazil-Argentina-Uruguay submarine cable to cost USD500m, minister says

Brazil’s communication minister Paulo Bernardo says that a new submarine cable linking Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay is likely to cost in the region of USD500 million, and be operational within twelve to 15 months. In an interview with BNAmericas, the minister confirmed that the new route will connect the Brazilian cities of Fortaleza and Santos, as well as Maldonado (Uruguay), and Las Toninas in Argentina. The ‘tri-national’ project is headed up by the three countries involved which will each act as ‘majority shareholders with equal participation’ in the venture. Technical partners are still being evaluated, Bernardo added. Work on the cable is expected to begin in early 2013 and once completed will comprise 24,000km of cabling.