Kattegat 2

Overview

Kattegat 2 is a submarine cable system spanning 75 kilometers across the Kattegat strait, connecting Denmark and Sweden. Operational since 2001, it is owned and managed by TDC Group, a major telecommunications provider in Denmark. The cable plays a vital role in enhancing connectivity within the southern Scandinavian region, providing a direct and reliable subsea link between the two countries. Its relatively short length and strategic placement make it an important component of cross-border digital infrastructure in the area.

The Kattegat strait itself is a key maritime zone that separates the Jutland Peninsula of Denmark from the southwestern coast of Sweden. By traversing this body of water, Kattegat 2 serves as a critical link for regional data traffic, facilitating communication and digital services between the two nations. Its design and operational purpose reflect the need for efficient, low-latency connectivity across this geographically significant corridor.

Route and Landings

Kattegat 2 features four landing points, three of which are located in Denmark: Lyngsa, Osterby, and Vestero. These landings are distributed along the Danish coastline, enabling localized access to the cable's connectivity. The fourth landing point is situated at Skalvik in Sweden, completing the cross-strait connection. This configuration supports a balanced approach to regional connectivity, with multiple entry points on the Danish side feeding into a single terminus in Sweden.

The cable's route across the Kattegat strait is notable for its relatively short distance, which contributes to its low latency performance. The Kattegat is a shallow sea that connects the North Sea to the Baltic Sea, making it a natural choice for linking Denmark and Sweden. The cable’s landings are strategically positioned to serve both rural and urban areas, ensuring that the benefits of high-speed connectivity are distributed across communities on both sides of the strait.

Ownership and History

Kattegat 2 is entirely owned and operated by TDC Group, a leading telecommunications company in Denmark. As the sole proprietor, TDC Group is responsible for the cable's maintenance, upgrades, and overall performance. The cable was officially ready for service in 2001, marking over two decades of uninterrupted operation. During this time, it has played a consistent role in supporting cross-border communication and data transfer between Denmark and Sweden.

The cable’s introduction in 2001 coincided with a period of growing demand for reliable international connectivity in Scandinavia. Its focused design, linking multiple Danish landings to a single Swedish point, reflects the regional priorities of the time. Unlike larger transcontinental systems, Kattegat 2 was designed specifically for short-range, high-performance connectivity, addressing the immediate needs of the Denmark-Sweden corridor.

What Our Measurements Show

Our monitoring of Kattegat 2 has revealed consistent performance metrics that align with its design as a short-distance cable. Over the past 60 days, measurements across 195 corridors have recorded an average round-trip time (RTT) of 17 milliseconds, with the best RTT observed at 10 milliseconds. These figures highlight the cable’s efficiency in facilitating low-latency communication between Denmark and Sweden.

The cable’s short physical span of 75 kilometers is a key factor in its performance, as shorter cables generally experience lower latency due to reduced signal travel time. The distributed landing points in Denmark and the single terminus in Sweden further optimize its operation, ensuring reliable connectivity for both rural and urban areas. Kattegat 2’s measured performance underscores its strategic importance as a regional infrastructure asset, providing fast and dependable data transfer across the Kattegat strait.