MANTA

Overview

MANTA is a submarine cable system spanning approximately 5,600 kilometers, designed to connect four countries: Colombia, Mexico, Panama, and the United States. This system traverses the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, creating a vital telecommunications link between South America, Central America, and North America. Scheduled for readiness in 2028, MANTA is owned by a consortium of three operators: Gold Data, Liberty Networks, and Sparkle. The cable aims to strengthen regional connectivity by providing dedicated infrastructure for data exchange across these key geographies.

The cable’s design emphasizes regional integration, linking some of the most important economic and telecommunications hubs in the Americas. By focusing on intra-regional connectivity rather than transoceanic routes, MANTA is positioned to play a strategic role in supporting the growing demand for high-capacity, low-latency communication within the Americas. Its six landing points ensure robust interconnection between national and regional networks.

Route and Landings

MANTA's route connects six landing points across four countries, strategically chosen to optimize regional coverage. In Colombia, the cable lands at Cartagena, a major port city on the Caribbean coast with significant telecommunications infrastructure. In Panama, the landing point is Maria Chiquita, located along the country’s northern coastline, providing a gateway for Central American connectivity.

In Mexico, MANTA has two landing points: Cancún, situated on the Yucatán Peninsula and a key hub for Caribbean connectivity, and Veracruz, a major port city on the Gulf of Mexico. These locations enhance Mexico’s role as a bridge between Central and North America. In the United States, the cable lands at two sites in Florida: North Miami Beach and San Blas. These Florida landings provide direct access to the extensive telecommunications networks of the United States, facilitating data exchange with the Americas and beyond.

The route crosses the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, regions characterized by their strategic importance for trade and communication. By linking these specific locations, MANTA ensures efficient data transfer between major economic and population centers in the Americas.

Ownership and History

MANTA is owned and developed by a consortium of three entities: Gold Data, Liberty Networks, and Sparkle. Gold Data is a prominent telecommunications infrastructure provider operating across Latin America, specializing in high-capacity network solutions. Liberty Networks manages an extensive portfolio of submarine and terrestrial networks, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin America. Sparkle, a subsidiary of Telecom Italia, is a global carrier with a strong presence in Europe and the Americas, offering international connectivity services.

The cable was announced as part of a broader effort to enhance regional connectivity and meet the increasing demand for reliable, high-speed internet and data services. MANTA is expected to complement existing submarine cable systems in the region, offering an alternative route for data traffic and improving network resilience. Its planned readiness for service in 2028 marks a significant milestone in the ongoing development of telecommunications infrastructure in the Americas.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of MANTA, conducted across 176 measured corridors, has provided valuable insights into the cable's performance. The best recorded round-trip time (RTT) is 103 milliseconds, while the average RTT across all measurements is 180 milliseconds. These figures highlight the system's ability to deliver low-latency connectivity, which is critical for supporting modern applications such as video streaming, cloud computing, and real-time communications.

The cable's performance is particularly significant given its role in connecting multiple regions with diverse telecommunications needs. By linking Colombia, Panama, Mexico, and the United States, MANTA facilitates the exchange of data across a wide geographic area. Its six landing points ensure redundancy and reliability, making it a key component of the region's digital infrastructure. The cable’s performance metrics underscore its potential to serve as a backbone for regional connectivity, supporting economic growth and digital transformation in the Americas.