Cayman-Jamaica Fiber System (CJFS)

Cayman-Jamaica Fiber System (CJFS): A Submarine Cable Linking the Cayman Islands and Jamaica

The Cayman-Jamaica Fiber System (CJFS) is a submarine telecommunications cable connecting the Cayman Islands and Jamaica. Spanning a distance of 1,197 kilometers, it has been operational since 1997 according to GeoCables data. Owned by CW Cayman and CW Jamaica, the cable is listed as in service and plays a role in regional connectivity. However, details about its design capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, and specific technology have not been disclosed publicly. This cable is notable for its multiple landing points, including Bull Bay, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Port Antonio in Jamaica, as well as Cayman Brac and Half Moon Bay in the Cayman Islands. It operates in a corridor with several other submarine cables, providing redundancy and alternative routes for data traffic. Despite its established presence, certain technical and operational details remain unknown, highlighting the challenges of obtaining comprehensive data on older submarine cables.

Quick facts

Cable name	Cayman-Jamaica Fiber System (CJFS)
Length	1,197 km
Ready for service	1997 (GeoCables database value)
Owners	CW Cayman, CW Jamaica
Status	In service
Design capacity	Not disclosed
Fiber pairs	Not disclosed
Supplier	Not disclosed
Technology	Not disclosed
Landing points	Bull Bay (Jamaica), Cayman Brac (Cayman Islands), Half Moon Bay (Cayman Islands), Montego Bay (Jamaica), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Port Antonio (Jamaica)

Show Cayman-Jamaica Fiber System (CJFS) on the interactive cable map

Route

The CJFS connects six landing points across Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. In Jamaica, it lands at Bull Bay, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Port Antonio. On the Cayman Islands side, it terminates at Cayman Brac and Half Moon Bay. These landing points are strategically located to serve key population centers and economic hubs in both territories. The cable's route lies within a region known for active seismic activity and tropical storms, which can pose risks to submarine infrastructure. Standard industry practices, such as burying cables in shallow waters and using armored cable sections, are typically employed to mitigate these risks. However, specific details about the CJFS's construction and maintenance protocols are not publicly available.

Why it was built and what it carries

The CJFS was built to enhance telecommunications connectivity between Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, two Caribbean territories with growing economic and tourism sectors. By providing direct fiber-optic links, the cable facilitates faster and more reliable communication, supporting internet, voice, and data services. While the cable's design capacity is not disclosed, it likely serves as a regional conduit for international traffic, connecting the Caribbean to global networks via other submarine cables in the region. Its landing points at Bull Bay and Half Moon Bay are particularly noteworthy, as they intersect with major cables like Fibralink and Maya-1.2, respectively.

History: what can be established

The CJFS was recorded as ready for service in 1997 according to GeoCables data. No conflicting dates have surfaced from industry sources, so this year is assumed to be correct. The cable's construction likely reflects the telecommunications expansion of the late 1990s, when fiber-optic technology was increasingly adopted to meet growing bandwidth demands. CW Cayman and CW Jamaica, the cable's owners, are subsidiaries of Cable & Wireless Communications, a company with a long history in Caribbean telecommunications. Their involvement suggests that the CJFS was part of a broader strategy to modernize regional infrastructure during that period.

Capacity and technology

Publicly available information does not disclose the CJFS's design capacity, number of fiber pairs, supplier, or specific technology. Without operator documentation, it is impossible to state these parameters definitively. Given its 1997 commissioning date, the cable likely employs older optical technologies compared to modern systems, but this cannot be confirmed without further data.

Latency: the physics

Theoretical one-way light propagation over the CJFS's 1,197 km length is approximately 5.9 milliseconds, with a round-trip time (RTT) floor of 11.7 milliseconds. These calculations assume light traveling through fiber at speeds between 200,000 and 204,000 km/s. Real-world latency is higher due to factors such as land tails, terminal equipment, and routing inefficiencies. GeoCables live measurements, which capture the full internet path rather than the cable alone, show significantly higher RTTs. For example, the Port Antonio to Half Moon Bay route recorded a minimum RTT of 41.9 ms, while measurements from global locations like Sao Paulo and Sydney ranged from 137.1 ms to 214.9 ms. These results reflect the combined impact of terrestrial networks, peering arrangements, and internet routing.

Redundancy: what happens if it breaks

The CJFS operates in a corridor with several other submarine cables, providing redundancy in the event of a failure. At Bull Bay, alternatives include Fibralink and the Jamaica Submarine Cable Festoon System (JSCFS). Half Moon Bay connects to Maya-1.2, while Montego Bay and Ocho Rios also host Fibralink and JSCFS. These overlapping systems reduce the risk of complete connectivity loss for the region. Repairing submarine cables typically involves deploying specialized cable ships equipped with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to locate and retrieve damaged sections. Repairs can take weeks, depending on the severity of the damage and weather conditions. The CJFS's relatively short length and proximity to major ports likely facilitate quicker response times compared to longer transoceanic cables.

Bottom line

• The Cayman-Jamaica Fiber System (CJFS) spans 1,197 km and has been in service since 1997.
• Owned by CW Cayman and CW Jamaica, it connects six landing points across Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
• Its design capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, and technology are not publicly disclosed.
• Theoretical latency is approximately 11.7 ms RTT for the wet segment, but real-world measurements are higher.
• Redundancy is provided by overlapping cables in the corridor, including Fibralink, JSCFS, ALBA-1, and Maya-1.2.