Americas-II West

Overview

Americas-II West is a submarine telecommunications cable that connects Miramar, Puerto Rico, and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The cable became operational in the year 2000 and is owned by AT&T. As a relatively short undersea cable, it provides a critical link between these two key locations in the Caribbean, facilitating data transmission and enhancing regional connectivity. Its role is particularly significant given the strategic importance of both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as hubs for telecommunications in the Caribbean region.

Our live monitoring of the Americas-II West cable has identified 153 measured corridors, with a best round-trip time (RTT) of 63 milliseconds and an average RTT of 78 milliseconds. These metrics indicate a stable and efficient connection, underscoring the cable's role in supporting reliable communication services in the region.

Route and Landings

The Americas-II West cable connects two landing points: Miramar in Puerto Rico and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The route spans a relatively short distance across the Caribbean Sea, making it a vital inter-island connection. This path enables efficient data transfer between Puerto Rico and St. Croix, which are both important nodes in the Caribbean telecommunications network.

Miramar, located in the capital city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a hub for commerce and communication in the region. The island of Puerto Rico serves as a significant gateway for data traffic between North America, South America, and the Caribbean. St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is similarly a strategic location for telecommunications infrastructure, serving as a transit point for regional and international data traffic. The cable's route reflects the geographic and economic importance of these two locations, ensuring robust connectivity for businesses, residents, and governmental operations in the region.

Ownership and History

The Americas-II West cable is owned and operated by AT&T, a major global telecommunications provider. The cable was ready for service in 2000, marking its entry into the growing network of submarine cables that support global and regional communications. AT&T's ownership of the cable highlights its commitment to maintaining and expanding connectivity in the Caribbean, a region that relies heavily on undersea cables for internet and telecommunications services due to its island geography.

Although the cable has been operational for over two decades, its continued functionality and performance are evident from our monitoring data. The Americas-II West cable likely plays a role in both primary and backup data transmission, ensuring redundancy and resilience for the networks it supports. Its deployment reflects the broader trend of enhancing connectivity in island regions to support economic growth and digital inclusion.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of the Americas-II West cable reveals consistent performance across its 153 measured corridors. The best round-trip time (RTT) recorded is 63 milliseconds, while the average RTT is 78 milliseconds. These figures indicate a reliable and efficient connection, suitable for supporting a range of telecommunications services, including internet, voice, and data transmission.

The relatively low latency observed in our measurements is a testament to the cable's design and the importance of its route. By connecting Miramar and St. Croix, the Americas-II West cable facilitates seamless communication between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, contributing to the broader network of undersea cables that link the Caribbean to the rest of the world. Its performance underscores its role as a key component of the region's digital infrastructure, supporting both local and international connectivity needs.