New World Network, the principal owner of the Americas Region Caribbean Optical-ring System (ARCOS), said it has completed its 8,600 kilometer undersea network linking 15 countries in the Americas.
The system is said to be the first to provide leading-edge broadband capacity and reliable network services to previously underserved markets. The network connects the U.S., Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Curacao, Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and Mexico.
The project is an 8,600 kilometer self-healing ring, consisting of both repeatered and non-repeatered cable segments using state-of-the-art Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) and Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) technology. It will initially operate at 15 gigabits per second (Gbps), but has a multiple upgradeable design capacity of 960 Gbps.
ARCOS is differentiated from other submarine cable systems by its unique coverage in a niche market, its fully redundant ring, and unique ownership structure that includes leading carriers in the Americas, New World Network said. ARCOS is the first network to interconnect 15 countries and enable new business opportunities within these markets.
New World Network said it has already pre-sold 30% of its capacity to leading carriers in the region, which attests to the growing demand for broadband capacity in the Americas. The company's current customers include Cable & Wireless, Worldcom, AVANTEL, Genuity, CANTV, and others.
Siemens AG, Tyco Submarine Systems Ltd., and NSW Submarine Systems Inc. helped New World Network to develop and install the ARCOS network throughout the 15 countries and 24 landing points in the Americas.
The unique hybrid ownership structure of ARCOS is co-owned by 28 carriers throughout the region and led by New World Network, the majority owner with approximately 86.5% ownership.
The company's financing was provided by Barclays Capital, Inc. and Bank of Montreal. The company's equity investors are Global Light Telecommunications (49%), Siemens Project Ventures (19.6%), Barclays Investment Growth, Ltd. (3.9%) and the founding sponsors.
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