Janna

Overview

Janna is a domestic submarine cable system operating entirely within Italy. With a total length of 634 kilometers, it connects key coastal points on the Italian mainland, the island of Sardinia, and Sicily. The cable plays a critical role in supporting intra-national telecommunications within the Mediterranean, linking geographically separated regions of Italy. Janna has been operational since 2005 and continues to serve as a vital infrastructure component for both public and private stakeholders.

Unlike international submarine cable systems, which often span multiple continents, Janna is designed specifically for domestic connectivity. It supports data transmission between Sardinia, Sicily, and the mainland, ensuring robust communication links for these regions. Its strategic importance is amplified by the involvement of both private telecommunications companies and the regional government of Sardinia in its ownership.

Route and Landings

Janna connects four landing points, all located in Italy. On the mainland, the cable lands at Civitavecchia, a historic port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Rome, and at Mazara del Vallo, a coastal town on the southwestern tip of Sicily. These locations are significant for their roles in Italy's maritime and economic activities, with Civitavecchia serving as a major ferry and cargo hub and Mazara del Vallo known for its fishing industry and proximity to North Africa.

On the island of Sardinia, Janna has two landing points: Cagliari and Olbia. Cagliari, the island's largest city and administrative capital, is situated on the southern coast and serves as a central hub for Sardinia's economy and governance. Olbia, located on the northeastern coast, is a key gateway to the island's popular tourist destinations, including the Costa Smeralda. The cable's route across the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean seas reflects a deliberate effort to connect these economically and strategically important locations within Italy.

Ownership and History

Janna is owned by a consortium of four entities: EXA Infrastructure, Regione Sardegna, Tiscali, and WINDTRE. The involvement of Regione Sardegna, the regional government of Sardinia, underscores the public-sector interest in ensuring reliable connectivity for the island. Tiscali, a telecommunications provider historically headquartered in Cagliari, has a vested interest in the cable's operation as part of its broader network infrastructure. WINDTRE, one of Italy's leading mobile and fixed-line operators, brings commercial expertise to the consortium, while EXA Infrastructure contributes its experience in managing high-capacity networks.

The cable became operational in 2005, a period marked by growing demand for high-speed internet and reliable telecommunications across Europe. Its construction was part of a broader effort to enhance Italy's domestic connectivity, particularly for Sardinia and Sicily, which rely on submarine cables to maintain robust links to the mainland. Janna remains a critical asset for Italy's telecommunications landscape, complementing other domestic and international cable systems.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of the Janna cable system reveals that it operates across 216 measured corridors, ensuring a comprehensive network of connectivity between its four landing points. The best round-trip time (RTT) recorded is 0 milliseconds, indicating highly efficient data transmission under optimal conditions. The average RTT, measured at 134 milliseconds, reflects the cable's performance across varying traffic loads and operational scenarios.

These metrics highlight Janna's reliability and efficiency as a domestic submarine cable system. By providing low-latency connections between Sardinia, Sicily, and the Italian mainland, the cable supports a wide range of telecommunications needs, from internet access to enterprise data services. Its performance is particularly significant for Sardinia, which relies heavily on submarine cables like Janna to maintain its digital connectivity with the rest of Italy and beyond.