CSC steps up role in Arctic cable initiative shaping global connectivity
CSC – IT Center for Science has joined the step two phase in the international Polar Connect subsea cable initiative at the beginning of 2026. While CSC has previously contributed through partner collaboration, it now takes on a direct role in the project. The initiative aims to obtain secure and sustainable connectivity between Europe, North America and East Asia across the Arctic.
The planned new Arctic submarine cable route would provide a strategically important and robust alternative to today’s congested and geopolitically exposed international cable routes. By establishing a new connection across the Central Arctic Ocean, the system would diversify intercontinental data traffic between Europe, North America and East Asia, and reduce dependence on southern routes where most Europe–Asia data traffic currently flows. The cable is expected to become operational in early 2030’s.
The Polar Connect initiative is also helping to build a European alliance to develop the cable system and reserve part of its fibre capacity for European research and education networks, like Funet in Finland. This would ensure that the needs of the scientific community remain as a core part of the project.
In parallel, environmental sensors could be integrated into the cable to provide valuable climate, marine and seismological research data from the Arctic region. This would contribute to advanced scientific research and technological innovations and potentially turn parts of the system into a scientific instrument.
Polar Connect initiative is listed as one of 13 priority projects in EU’s Cable Projects of European Interest (CPEI) report in early 2026, placing it among the strategic infrastructure efforts the EU views as important for strengthening Europe’s long term digital security and resilience. The report outlines where public support is needed to strengthen submarine cable infrastructure, identifying key vulnerabilities and priority areas for investment.
A joint Nordic initiative
The Polar Connect Step 2 (PC2) project beneficiaries include CSC – IT Center for Science, the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, NORDUnet, GlobalConnect, and the Swedish Research Council. GÉANT participates as an Associated Partner. Through a series of implementation projects, Polar Connect is supported by funding from the Swedish Government through the Swedish Research Council and by the European Union through CEF Digital.
Finland’s research ecosystem, data center infrastructure and society can benefit from Polar Connect, both strategically and operationally. CSC has previously contributed to the project Step 1 phase through NORDUnet. CSC is now joining the project’s Step 2 phase focusing on financial planning and ownership models, route planning, additional seabed surveys in the Arctic region, and technical simulations to ensure the technical and operational feasibility of the connection.
The expertise of CSC in developing and operating Finnish research and education network Funet plays a key role in ensuring that the future submarine cable connection meets the needs of both the European scientific community and its global partners. While Polar Connect is still a long‑term vision, it has the potential to provide more resilient international connectivity for future EuroHPC systems and Finland-based data centers more broadly and create direct links to Asian research networks that are increasingly important for HPC, AI, and quantum collaboration.
Image: Adobe Stock
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Juha Oinonen
Juha Oinonen is responsible for Funet services.
