AEC-1

Overview

AEC-1 is a transatlantic submarine cable system that connects Ireland and the United States across the North Atlantic Ocean. Spanning a total length of 5,521 kilometers, the cable provides a direct and efficient data transmission route between Killala, Ireland, and Shirley, New York. Operational since 2016, AEC-1 is owned and managed by EXA Infrastructure, a company specializing in both submarine and terrestrial fiber networks. The cable plays a crucial role in supporting transatlantic data traffic, serving as a vital link between Europe and North America.

As part of the broader North Atlantic cable network, AEC-1 facilitates high-speed data connectivity for businesses, governments, and individuals. Its strategic placement contributes to Ireland's growing reputation as a key hub for global telecommunications, while also enhancing the connectivity of the United States' eastern seaboard. The cable’s design prioritizes efficiency and reliability, making it a critical infrastructure component in the transatlantic telecommunications landscape.

Route and Landings

The AEC-1 submarine cable system connects two landing points: Killala in County Mayo, Ireland, and Shirley, New York, on Long Island's south shore. Killala, located on Ireland's northwest coast, is a strategic landing site due to its proximity to major data centers and Ireland's robust fiber optic network. This region has become an increasingly important gateway for transatlantic communications, benefiting from Ireland's role as a European data hub.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Shirley, New York, serves as the cable's U.S. landing point. Situated on Long Island, Shirley is part of a densely connected region that hosts numerous submarine cable landings, making it a critical node in the global telecommunications network. The route of AEC-1 crosses the North Atlantic Ocean, a well-traveled corridor for submarine cables, and provides a direct link between these two strategically chosen locations. This direct route minimizes latency, making it an attractive option for high-speed data transmission between Europe and North America.

Ownership and History

AEC-1 is fully owned and operated by EXA Infrastructure, a company specializing in high-capacity fiber networks across both terrestrial and subsea domains. The cable became operational in 2016, marking a significant addition to the transatlantic telecommunications infrastructure. Its deployment reflects the growing demand for reliable, high-speed connectivity between Europe and North America, driven by the increasing globalization of digital services, cloud computing, and data-intensive applications.

The cable's introduction in 2016 positioned it as a modern, high-capacity system capable of meeting the needs of a rapidly evolving digital economy. Over the years, AEC-1 has established itself as a key player in the transatlantic data exchange, complementing other cables in the region while offering a streamlined, two-landing-point connection. EXA Infrastructure's ownership ensures that the cable benefits from ongoing maintenance and technological upgrades, keeping it competitive in a dynamic market.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of AEC-1 spans 169 measured corridors, providing detailed insights into its performance. The cable has demonstrated a best round-trip time (RTT) of 19 milliseconds, with an average RTT of 80 milliseconds across all measurements. These metrics underscore the cable's efficiency in delivering low-latency connectivity between Ireland and the United States, a critical factor for applications requiring real-time data transmission.

The cable's performance is consistent with its design as a direct transatlantic route, minimizing the distance data must travel and thereby reducing latency. The North Atlantic corridor is a challenging environment for submarine cables, with deep ocean depths and harsh conditions, but AEC-1 has proven to be a reliable and robust system. Its performance metrics highlight its role as a dependable link in the global telecommunications network, supporting a wide range of data-intensive applications and services.