Caribbean-Bermuda U.S. (CBUS)

Overview

The Caribbean-Bermuda U.S. (CBUS) cable is a submarine telecommunications system that connects Bermuda with the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Spanning a distance of approximately 1,700 kilometers, the cable provides a direct link between two British Overseas Territories in the western Atlantic and eastern Caribbean. Operational since 2009, CBUS plays a crucial role in supporting regional connectivity for both territories, which rely heavily on submarine cables for international data and communication services.

CBUS complements other regional systems by offering a dedicated route between Bermuda and the BVI, bypassing longer transoceanic cables that typically serve Bermuda. Its strategic design helps ensure reliable communication channels in a region where connectivity options are limited by geography and infrastructure constraints.

Route and Landings

The CBUS cable begins in Bermuda, where it lands at St. David’s, situated on the eastern end of the island. This location is part of Bermuda’s small but vital network of submarine cable landing points, which are essential for the island’s connectivity to the global internet. St. David’s is geographically well-positioned to serve as a gateway for data traffic entering and leaving Bermuda.

On the other end, CBUS lands at Tortola, the largest and most populous island in the British Virgin Islands. Tortola serves as the economic and administrative hub of the BVI, making it an ideal location for the cable’s landing point. The route spans the western Atlantic Ocean and the eastern Caribbean Sea, crossing deep marine environments that are typical of the region. This direct corridor between Bermuda and Tortola is significant, as it connects two territories that are separated by considerable distance and lack other short-haul dedicated infrastructure.

Ownership and History

The CBUS cable is jointly owned by Liberty Networks and Orange. Liberty Networks operates as the infrastructure and wholesale division of Liberty Latin America, a major telecommunications provider in the Caribbean and Latin America. Orange, a French multinational telecommunications company, has a strong presence in the Caribbean region and brings its expertise in managing international cable systems to the partnership.

CBUS was ready for service in 2009, marking its entry as a key asset in the region’s subsea cable network. Over its operational lifespan, the cable has provided reliable connectivity between Bermuda and the BVI, supporting telecommunications, internet services, and data transfer for both territories. Its construction reflects the growing demand for robust and diverse connectivity in the Caribbean, a region characterized by its reliance on submarine cables for external communication.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of the CBUS cable system reveals consistent performance across its 72 measured corridors. The best recorded round-trip time (RTT) is 64 milliseconds, while the average RTT stands at 81 milliseconds. These metrics indicate a relatively low latency for a cable of this length, which is critical for maintaining efficient communication between Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands.

The data highlights the cable’s reliability in handling regional traffic, particularly in a corridor where alternative routes are limited. The performance of CBUS aligns with expectations for a mid-length intra-Caribbean cable, ensuring that both territories benefit from stable and effective connectivity. These measurements underscore CBUS’s importance in supporting the digital infrastructure of Bermuda and the BVI, enabling economic and social activities reliant on high-speed data transfer.