Chile - Antarctic Cable Project with SMART capability

"Feasibility study of the technical, legal, economic, financial, environmental, social, governance, and geopolitical aspects"

On July 25, 2024, SUBTEL and CAF, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, signed a technical cooperation agreement, with partial financial support from the MCDF Finance Facility. This agreement aims to conduct a Feasibility Study that provides the necessary technical, legal, financial, and economic definitions for the implementation of the first submarine cable between Chile and the bases in Antarctica. The goal is to strengthen connectivity and scientific collaboration among multiple countries, promoting regional integration, research, and the advancement of scientific knowledge. The SMART capability is included in the call for public tender.

The feasibility study will cover the technical, legal, economic, financial, environmental, social, governance, and geopolitical aspects for the implementation of a fiber optic submarine cable system between Continental Chile and Antarctica, enabling the provision of Digital Connectivity Services to the Antarctic Facilities of interest.

The original Request for Tender announcement from SUBTEL that includes links with more detail is here.

You can find the Call for Public tender with highlighted parts in English here