Jonah: Submarine Cable Connecting Israel and Italy
The Jonah submarine cable is a fiber-optic system connecting
Tel Aviv, Israel, to
Bari, Italy, over a span of 2,297 kilometers. Owned by Bezeq International Ltd., it has been listed as in service since 2012, according to GeoCables records. However, details about its design capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, and specific technology have not been disclosed publicly, leaving certain technical aspects of the cable open to speculation.
What stands out about Jonah is its role in linking Israel to Europe, providing a direct route for data transmission. Its landing points-Tel Aviv and Bari-are hubs for other cables as well, creating redundancy and connectivity options within the Mediterranean region. Despite its importance in the corridor, publicly available information about its technology and operational specifics remains scarce.
Quick facts
| Cable Name | Jonah |
| Length | 2,297 km |
| Ready for Service | 2012 (GeoCables database value; no conflicting dates found) |
| Owners | Bezeq International Ltd. |
| Status | In service |
| Design Capacity | Not disclosed |
| Fiber Pairs | Not disclosed |
| Supplier | Not disclosed |
| Technology | Not disclosed |
| Landing Points | Bari (Italy), Tel Aviv (Israel) |
Route
The Jonah cable spans the Mediterranean Sea, connecting Tel Aviv, Israel, to Bari, Italy. Tel Aviv serves as a major telecommunications hub in Israel, while Bari is a strategic landing point in southern Italy, providing access to European networks. Both locations host multiple submarine cables, including the
Asia Africa Europe-1 (AAE-1),
Italy-Albania, and
OTEGLOBE Kokkini-Bari cables in Bari, and the
Blue,
Israel Coasting 1 (IC-1), and
MedNautilus Submarine System cables in Tel Aviv. This clustering of cables enhances regional connectivity and ensures alternative routes in case of disruptions.
Why it was built and what it carries
Jonah was built to strengthen Israel's connectivity to Europe, facilitating international data traffic and supporting the country's growing demand for high-speed communications. As a privately owned cable operated by Bezeq International Ltd., it likely serves both consumer and enterprise markets, including internet service providers, cloud services, and other data-intensive applications. While the cable's design capacity is not disclosed, its role in the corridor suggests it is a significant contributor to regional and international data exchange.
History: what can be established
GeoCables records indicate that Jonah was ready for service in 2012. No conflicting dates have been found in publicly available sources, so this is the most reliable information available. The cable's development likely involved standard industry practices, including seabed surveys, cable laying, and burial to protect against external damage. However, specific details about its construction and commissioning process have not been disclosed.
Capacity and technology
Publicly available information does not specify Jonah's design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, or the technology used. Without operator documentation, attributing these characteristics would be speculative. Given its role in connecting Israel to Europe, it can be assumed that Jonah employs modern fiber-optic technology, but the exact specifications remain unknown.
Latency: the physics
Theoretical latency over Jonah's 2,297 km wet segment is approximately 11.3 milliseconds one-way, or 22.5 milliseconds round-trip, based on light propagation speeds in fiber (200-204,000 km/s). However, real-world latency is higher due to additional factors such as land tails, terminal equipment, and routing.
Live measurements conducted via remote probes show average round-trip times (RTTs) of 67.3 ms from Bari to Tel Aviv and 91.5 ms from Tel Aviv to Bari. These values reflect the full internet path, not the cable alone, and include delays from intermediate routers and other network components. Notably, some measured RTTs are below the physical floor of 22.5 ms, such as the 2.9 ms minimum from Tel Aviv to Bari. These are artifacts caused by rate-limited ICMP replies from intermediate routers and should not be interpreted as actual cable performance.
Redundancy: what happens if it breaks
In the event of a disruption to Jonah, alternative cables at its landing points provide redundancy. Bari hosts the Asia Africa Europe-1 (AAE-1), Italy-Albania, and OTEGLOBE Kokkini-Bari cables, while Tel Aviv connects to the Blue, Israel Coasting 1 (IC-1), and MedNautilus Submarine System cables. Repairing submarine cables typically involves deploying specialized ships equipped with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to locate and fix the fault. Depending on the nature of the damage, repairs can take days to weeks.
Bottom line
- Jonah is a submarine cable connecting Tel Aviv, Israel, to Bari, Italy, over 2,297 km.
- Owned by Bezeq International Ltd., it has been in service since 2012.
- Details about its design capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, and technology are not publicly disclosed.
- Theoretical latency is approximately 22.5 ms RTT over the wet segment, but real-world measurements are higher.
- Redundancy is provided by other cables at Bari and Tel Aviv.