Pan-American Crossing (PAC)

Overview of the Pan-American Crossing (PAC) Cable

The Pan-American Crossing (PAC) is a major submarine cable system designed to provide high-capacity connectivity across the Americas. Commissioned in 2000, this cable spans approximately 10,000 kilometers and is owned by Cirion Technologies. PAC plays a crucial role in connecting multiple countries in Central and North America, supporting data transmission and communication needs for businesses, governments, and individuals.

Geography and Landing Points

The PAC cable connects five landing points across four countries, enabling robust regional connectivity:

• Fort Amador, Panama
• Grover Beach, CA, United States
• Mazatlán, Mexico
• Tijuana, Mexico
• Unqui, Costa Rica

This geographical spread ensures connectivity across North America, Central America, and the Pacific coast, making PAC a key infrastructure for regional data exchange.

Technical Architecture and Specifications

The Pan-American Crossing cable system spans 10,000 kilometers and was ready for service (RFS) in the year 2000. While specific details about its fiber pairs, transmission capacity, and supplier are publicly not disclosed, its extensive reach and strategic landing points suggest it was designed to handle significant data traffic volumes. PAC is part of a broader network that includes related cables such as the South American Crossing (SAC) and Mid-Atlantic Crossing (MAC), further enhancing its role in intercontinental connectivity.

Strategic Importance of PAC

The PAC cable is vital for ensuring diverse and reliable connectivity across the Americas. Its route provides redundancy and complements other regional systems like the Pacific Caribbean Cable System (PCCS). By connecting key locations in Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the United States, PAC helps mitigate chokepoints and ensures resilience against disruptions in other cables. Its role in supporting internet traffic and data exchange between Central and North America makes it an indispensable asset for regional connectivity.

Known and Unknown Details

While the PAC cable's length (10,000 km) and RFS (2000) are well-documented, several technical details remain publicly not disclosed, including:

• Exact number of fiber pairs
• Transmission capacity in Tbps
• Supplier and construction details

This lack of transparency highlights the need for further monitoring and analysis to understand its full capabilities and potential vulnerabilities.

Why PAC Matters for GeoCables Monitoring

From a risk-topology perspective, PAC is a critical asset for monitoring due to its role in connecting multiple countries and regions. Key areas of focus include:

• Tracking BGP routing changes to identify shifts in traffic patterns.
• Monitoring latency metrics to detect performance degradation.
• Observing maritime activity along the cable's route to mitigate risks from anchoring or fishing activities.
• Analyzing correlations between cable outages and regional internet disruptions.

Such monitoring efforts can provide valuable insights into the cable's operational health and its impact on regional connectivity.

Conclusion

The Pan-American Crossing cable is an essential component of the Americas' telecommunications infrastructure, providing critical connectivity between North and Central America. While many technical details remain undisclosed, its strategic role in redundancy and regional interconnectivity underscores its importance. For GeoCables, PAC represents a key target for ongoing monitoring and analysis to ensure robust and reliable communication across the region.