Bicentenario: A Submarine Cable Linking Uruguay and Argentina
The Bicentenario submarine cable is a 250 km fiber-optic system connecting
Las Toninas, Argentina, and
Maldonado, Uruguay. Owned jointly by Antel Uruguay and Telecom Argentina, it has been listed as in service since 2011, according to GeoCables records. The cable provides connectivity between two key landing points in South America, supporting telecommunications and data exchange across the Río de la Plata.
What makes Bicentenario particularly interesting is the limited public disclosure about its technical specifications, such as design capacity, fiber pair count, and supplier details. While its short length and strategic location suggest it plays an important role in regional connectivity, the lack of detailed technical and operational data leaves room for speculation about its full capabilities and role within the broader South American submarine cable network.
Quick facts
| Name | Bicentenario |
| Length | 250 km |
| Ready for Service (RFS) | 2011 (GeoCables database; no conflicting sources surfaced) |
| Owners | Antel Uruguay, Telecom Argentina |
| Status | In service |
| Design Capacity | Not disclosed |
| Fiber Pairs | Not disclosed |
| Supplier | Not disclosed |
| Technology | Not disclosed |
| Landing Points | Las Toninas (Argentina), Maldonado (Uruguay) |
| Corridor Alternatives | Tannat, Unisur |
Route
The Bicentenario cable spans the Río de la Plata, connecting Las Toninas in Argentina to Maldonado in Uruguay. Las Toninas is a major hub for submarine cables in Argentina, hosting several systems including
Firmina,
Malbec,
South America-1 (SAm-1),
South American Crossing (SAC), Tannat, and Unisur. Maldonado, while smaller in comparison, is also a key landing site, shared with the Tannat and Unisur cables. This route provides direct connectivity between the two countries, bypassing terrestrial networks and offering a resilient alternative for regional data traffic.
Why it was built and what it carries
The Bicentenario cable was built to enhance connectivity between Uruguay and Argentina, two neighboring countries with growing telecommunications demands. By providing a direct submarine link, the cable reduces reliance on terrestrial routes, which can be more vulnerable to disruptions. Although specific details about the cable's traffic are not publicly disclosed, it likely supports a mix of internet, voice, and data services for both residential and enterprise users. Its strategic placement complements other cables in the region, contributing to the overall redundancy and robustness of South America's international connectivity.
History: what can be established
GeoCables records indicate that the Bicentenario cable was ready for service in 2011, and no conflicting information from industry sources has been identified. The cable's construction likely involved standard industry practices such as seabed surveys, cable laying, and burial to minimize risks from fishing, anchoring, and other maritime activities. Its name, Bicentenario, may suggest a symbolic connection to the bicentennial celebrations of independence in Argentina (2010) and Uruguay (2011), though this is speculative without direct confirmation from the operators.
Capacity and technology
Publicly available information does not disclose the design capacity, fiber pair count, or specific technology used in the Bicentenario cable. Without operator documentation, it is not possible to ascertain whether the cable employs advanced technologies such as coherent optical transmission or wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). Given its relatively short length, however, it is reasonable to assume that the cable is optimized for high-capacity, low-latency data transmission.
Latency: the physics
The theoretical one-way light propagation time over the 250 km wet segment of the Bicentenario cable is approximately 1.2 milliseconds, resulting in a round-trip time (RTT) floor of about 2.5 milliseconds. Real-world latency measurements, however, are higher due to additional factors such as signal processing delays at terminal equipment, routing inefficiencies, and land-based network tails.
GeoCables live measurements, which capture the full internet path rather than the cable itself, report minimum RTTs of 1.7 ms (Las Toninas to Maldonado) and 9.3 ms (Maldonado to Las Toninas). The 1.7 ms value is flagged as a measurement artifact, as it falls below the physical floor of 2.5 ms. Average RTTs are significantly higher, at 10.0 ms and 22.1 ms, respectively, reflecting the influence of terrestrial routing and network congestion.
Redundancy: what happens if it breaks
In the event of a failure, traffic carried by the Bicentenario cable can be rerouted through alternative systems in the same corridor, specifically the Tannat and Unisur cables. Both of these cables land at Las Toninas and Maldonado, providing geographically proximate redundancy. Repairs to submarine cables typically involve deploying specialized cable ships equipped with tools to locate, retrieve, and fix the damaged section. Given the cable's relatively short length and proximity to shore, repair operations would likely be less logistically complex compared to longer transoceanic systems.
Bottom line
- The Bicentenario cable is a 250 km submarine system connecting Las Toninas, Argentina, and Maldonado, Uruguay.
- It has been listed as in service since 2011, with ownership shared between Antel Uruguay and Telecom Argentina.
- Technical specifications such as design capacity, fiber pair count, and supplier details are not publicly disclosed.
- Theoretical latency over the wet segment is approximately 2.5 ms RTT, though real-world measurements reflect higher values due to additional network factors.
- Redundancy is provided by the Tannat and Unisur cables, which share the same landing points.