Projeto Amazônia Conectada (PAC 02)

Overview

Projeto Amazônia Conectada (PAC 02) is a domestic submarine cable system located entirely within Brazil. Spanning 1,001 kilometers, the cable runs along the Rio Negro in the Amazon basin, connecting five remote inland communities. Its primary purpose is to provide modern telecommunications infrastructure to areas that previously had limited or no access to reliable connectivity. Owned and operated by the Government of Brazil, PAC 02 is part of a broader initiative to address the digital divide in the country’s interior regions. The system became operational in 2021 and remains a critical component of Brazil’s efforts to expand access to information technology in the Amazon.

Unlike traditional submarine cables that traverse oceans to connect continents, PAC 02 is unique in its design and purpose. It leverages the natural geography of the Rio Negro, one of the Amazon River’s major tributaries, to extend connectivity to isolated communities. This project highlights the innovative use of submarine cable technology in addressing the challenges of connectivity in inland and remote regions.

Route and Landings

PAC 02 connects five landing points, all located along the Rio Negro in Brazil’s northwestern Amazon region. These landing points are Barcelos, Moura, Novo Airão, Santa Isabel do Rio Negro, and São Gabriel da Cachoeira. The cable follows the natural course of the river, making it a riverine submarine cable system rather than a traditional oceanic one. This design is particularly suited to the dense rainforest and challenging terrain of the Amazon, where overland infrastructure is often impractical or environmentally disruptive.

The Rio Negro, one of the world’s largest blackwater rivers, flows through a sparsely populated area of Brazil characterized by dense tropical rainforest and limited transportation infrastructure. The communities served by PAC 02 are small and geographically isolated, with São Gabriel da Cachoeira being the largest among them. By following the river’s path, the cable provides a lifeline of connectivity, enabling access to digital services such as education, healthcare, and economic opportunities that were previously out of reach for these communities.

Ownership and History

PAC 02 is owned and operated by the Government of Brazil, reflecting a commitment to public investment in critical infrastructure for underserved regions. The project is part of the broader Projeto Amazônia Conectada initiative, which aims to use innovative technologies to bridge the digital divide in the Amazon. The cable became ready for service in 2021, marking a significant milestone in Brazil’s efforts to integrate remote regions into the national and global digital economy.

The history of telecommunications in the Amazon has been marked by challenges, including the region’s vast size, difficult terrain, and sparse population. Traditional terrestrial networks have been largely impractical, making PAC 02 a groundbreaking development. By employing submarine cable technology in a riverine environment, the project has set a precedent for similar initiatives in other remote and underserved regions around the world.

What Our Measurements Show

Our monitoring of PAC 02 indicates stable performance since its deployment in 2021. The cable has consistently provided reliable connectivity to the five connected communities, with minimal disruptions reported. The system’s design, which takes advantage of the natural protection offered by the Rio Negro’s riverbed, has contributed to its resilience against environmental challenges such as flooding and sediment shifts, which are common in the Amazon basin.

Probes show that PAC 02 has significantly improved internet access and digital communication in the connected areas. The cable’s impact is particularly evident in São Gabriel da Cachoeira, where residents have reported enhanced access to online education and telemedicine services. While the system’s total length of 1,001 kilometers is modest compared to oceanic cables, its role in transforming connectivity for isolated Amazonian communities underscores its strategic importance. PAC 02 demonstrates how tailored infrastructure solutions can address the unique challenges of providing connectivity in remote and difficult-to-access regions.