Italy-Greece 1 (IG-1): A submarine cable linking Southern Europe
The Italy-Greece 1 (IG-1) submarine cable is a relatively short optical fiber system connecting
Otranto in Italy with
Aethos in Greece. With a length of 169 kilometers, it serves as a direct link between the two countries across the Adriatic Sea. Owned by WIS Telecom, IG-1 has been listed as in service since 1995 according to GeoCables records. However, as with many older submarine cables, public information about its technical specifications and capacity is limited.
What makes IG-1 noteworthy is its role in facilitating telecommunications between Italy and Greece, two countries with significant economic and cultural ties. Despite its modest length, the cable is part of a broader network of infrastructure enabling connectivity in the region. Publicly available data does not disclose its design capacity, fiber pair count, or supplier, leaving aspects of its technology and operational details uncertain.
Quick facts
| Cable name | Italy-Greece 1 (IG-1) |
| Length | 169 km |
| Ready-for-service year | 1995 (GeoCables database value; industry sources not surfaced) |
| Owner | WIS Telecom |
| Status | In service |
| Design capacity | Not disclosed |
| Fiber pairs | Not disclosed |
| Supplier | Not disclosed |
| Technology | Not disclosed |
| Landing points | Aethos (Greece); Otranto (Italy) |
| Other cables at Aethos | Thetis |
🗺 Show Italy-Greece 1 (IG-1) on the interactive cable map
Route
IG-1 connects the Greek landing point of Aethos with the Italian landing point of Otranto. Geographically, the cable traverses the Adriatic Sea, a relatively narrow body of water separating the two nations. The corridor is significant for regional telecommunications, providing a direct route between southern Italy and western Greece. Aethos is also the landing site for another submarine cable, Thetis, which may offer redundancy or complementary capacity in the region.
Why it was built and what it carries
The IG-1 cable was likely built to enhance connectivity between Italy and Greece, supporting voice, data, and other telecommunications services. Both countries have historically had strong economic, political, and cultural ties, making reliable communication infrastructure essential. While the cable's design capacity and fiber pair count are not disclosed, its continued operation suggests it remains relevant for regional traffic. It may also serve as part of a larger network linking Southern Europe to broader international systems.
History: what can be established
GeoCables records indicate that IG-1 was ready for service in 1995, but no conflicting dates have surfaced in industry sources. The cable's ownership by WIS Telecom and its status as "in service" further confirm its operational longevity. However, details about its initial construction, supplier, and technological upgrades over time are not publicly documented, leaving gaps in its historical narrative.
Capacity and technology
Publicly available information does not disclose IG-1's design capacity, fiber pair count, or supplier. Without operator documentation, attributing these values would be speculative. Given its age, the cable may have undergone upgrades to maintain compatibility with modern telecom standards, though this cannot be confirmed without further data. The absence of specific details about its technology makes it challenging to assess its full capabilities.
Latency: the physics
The theoretical one-way light propagation time over IG-1's 169 km wet segment is approximately 0.8 milliseconds, with a theoretical round-trip time (RTT) floor of 1.7 milliseconds. However, real-world latency is higher due to additional factors such as land tails, terminal equipment, and routing. Remote probes measuring the full internet path reveal significantly higher RTTs:
- Aethos -> Otranto: min 35.0 ms, avg 57.7 ms
- Otranto -> Aethos: min 34.6 ms, avg 76.4 ms
These values reflect the combined latency of the cable and associated network infrastructure, including terrestrial links and routing inefficiencies.
Redundancy: what happens if it breaks
In the event of a failure, redundancy in the region may be provided by other cables landing at Aethos, such as Thetis. However, the extent to which Thetis or other systems can fully compensate for IG-1's traffic depends on their capacity and configuration. Repairing submarine cables typically involves specialized ships and equipment to locate and fix the fault, a process that can take days to weeks depending on the nature of the damage and weather conditions.
Bottom line
- Italy-Greece 1 (IG-1) is a 169 km submarine cable linking Otranto, Italy, and Aethos, Greece.
- Owned by WIS Telecom, it has been listed as in service since 1995.
- Design capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, and technology details are not publicly disclosed.
- The corridor connects Southern Europe across the Adriatic Sea, with theoretical latency of ~0.8 ms one-way.
- Real-world latency is significantly higher due to network routing and terrestrial links.
- Redundancy may be partially provided by Thetis, another cable landing at Aethos.