Georgia-Russia: a regional submarine cable linking the Black Sea coast
The Georgia-Russia submarine cable is a 433-kilometer fiber-optic system connecting
Dzhubga and
Sochi in Russia to
Poti in Georgia. Operational since at least 2000, it is jointly owned by FOPTNET, GEO-METRIA, and Rostelecom. While the cable plays a role in regional connectivity, precise technical details such as design capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, and technology are not disclosed in public sources, leaving some aspects of its capabilities uncertain.
What stands out about the Georgia-Russia cable is its relatively short length and its strategic location in the Black Sea region, which is a historically sensitive geopolitical corridor. The cable's latency measurements reveal significant differences between theoretical physics and real-world internet routing, highlighting the complexity of network paths and infrastructure beyond the submarine segment itself.
Quick facts
| Cable name | Georgia-Russia |
| Length | 433 km |
| Ready for service | 2000 (GeoCables database; conflicting dates not surfaced in public sources) |
| Owners | FOPTNET, GEO-METRIA, Rostelecom |
| Status | In service |
| Design capacity | Not disclosed |
| Fiber pairs | Not disclosed |
| Supplier | Not disclosed |
| Technology | Not disclosed |
| Landing points | Dzhubga (Russia), Poti (Georgia), Sochi (Russia) |
🗺 Show Georgia-Russia on the interactive cable map
Route
The Georgia-Russia cable has three landing points: Dzhubga and Sochi on the Russian Black Sea coast, and Poti on the Georgian coast. This route spans a relatively short distance across the Black Sea, connecting two nations with shared historical and economic ties but also complex political relations. Poti serves as a hub for other submarine cables as well, including the
Caucasus Cable System and
Kardesa, indicating its importance as a regional telecommunications node.
Why it was built and what it carries
The cable was likely built to enhance connectivity between Russia and Georgia, providing a direct link across the Black Sea. Given the ownership structure involving FOPTNET, GEO-METRIA, and Rostelecom, it is reasonable to infer that the cable supports both commercial and governmental telecommunications needs. However, without public disclosure of design capacity or technology, it is difficult to assess its specific traffic-handling capabilities or its role in broader international networks.
History: what can be established
The GeoCables database records the cable as having been ready for service in 2000. No conflicting dates have surfaced from industry sources, so this year is assumed accurate. The cable has remained listed as in service, indicating it has been operational for over two decades. However, details about upgrades, repairs, or changes in ownership during this period are not publicly documented.
Capacity and technology
The design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, and technology of the Georgia-Russia cable are not disclosed in public records, leaving these aspects unknown. Without operator documentation, attributing specific capabilities or technical features would be speculative. Given the cable's age, it is plausible that its original design capacity may be lower than that of more modern systems, but upgrades could have been implemented over time.
Latency: the physics
The theoretical one-way light propagation latency over the cable's 433-kilometer wet segment is approximately 2.1 milliseconds, corresponding to a round-trip time (RTT) floor of 4.2 milliseconds. However, real-world latency measurements show significantly higher values due to additional factors such as land-based network tails, terminal equipment, and routing inefficiencies.
For example, GeoCables live measurements recorded a minimum RTT of 103.8 milliseconds between Dzhubga and Poti, far exceeding the theoretical floor. Similarly, RTTs from Tbilisi to Dzhubga ranged from 121.2 to 124.2 milliseconds, reflecting the impact of terrestrial infrastructure and broader internet routing paths. These discrepancies underscore the difference between idealized physics and operational realities in network performance.
Redundancy: what happens if it breaks
If the Georgia-Russia cable were to experience a fault, redundancy in the corridor would depend on alternative cables and terrestrial routes. Poti, one of its landing points, hosts other submarine cables such as the Caucasus Cable System and Kardesa, which could provide backup connectivity. Repairing submarine cables typically involves specialized vessels and can take weeks depending on the nature of the fault, weather conditions, and geopolitical considerations.
Bottom line
- The Georgia-Russia cable spans 433 km across the Black Sea, connecting Dzhubga, Sochi, and Poti.
- Operational since at least 2000, owned by FOPTNET, GEO-METRIA, and Rostelecom.
- Design capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, and technology are not publicly disclosed.
- Theoretical latency is 4.2 ms RTT over the wet segment, but real-world measurements show much higher values.
- Redundancy in the corridor includes other cables landing at Poti, such as the Caucasus Cable System and Kardesa.