Amazon Web Services (AWS) today announced the construction of Fastnet – a strategic transatlantic fiber-optic cable connecting the state of Maryland in the U.S. with County Cork in Ireland, enabling high-speed and reliable transmission of cloud and AI services across the Atlantic.
Key Highlights:
- Fastnet expands AWS’s global fiber-optic network, which could circle the route from Earth to the Moon and back more than 11 times.
- The new cable will have a capacity of over 320 terabits per second (Tbps) – enough to stream 12.5 million HD movies simultaneously.
- The route strengthens AWS network resilience, reducing the risk of service interruptions for customers.
- Planned launch: 2028
Fastnet is designed to meet the rapidly growing demand for fast, reliable data transmission between continents, particularly driven by the rise of artificial intelligence and cloud services.
Innovative Technical Solutions
The system uses advanced optical branching units that allow for flexible traffic routing and future expansion. The cable is specially reinforced in coastal zones to provide added protection. Its scalable architecture is specifically designed to handle growing AI-related traffic, enabling AWS customers to rapidly increase their data transmission needs while the system adapts to future demand.
With a projected capacity exceeding 320 Tbps, Fastnet will be directly integrated into AWS’s global network. To put this in perspective: the system could transmit the entire digitized Library of Congress three times per second or stream 12.5 million HD movies simultaneously. This integration enables rapid routing and multi-layered redundancy to ensure continuous service.
Unlike standard internet connections, Fastnet will be centrally managed by AWS, enabling real-time optimization of data flow. This is intended to ensure maximum transmission efficiency and reliability.
Regional Significance
Fastnet will form part of AWS’s vast infrastructure, which currently includes 38 geographic regions and 120 Availability Zones, all connected by over 9 million kilometers of terrestrial and subsea fiber-optic cables – enough to span the Earth-Moon distance more than 11 times, with built-in redundancy at every layer. The company also plans further expansion, including 10 new Availability Zones and 3 additional AWS Regions.
Scheduled to go live in 2028, the Fastnet system will significantly increase transatlantic bandwidth and provide additional protection for critical digital infrastructure in the region.
As digital services become an integral part of the global economy, organizations rely on consistent, uninterrupted access to cloud services for their most critical operations. Maintaining seamless connectivity between geographical regions is not just about speed – it’s about having secure and resilient data pathways between continents.
