Q&E North

Overview

Q&E North is a submarine cable system spanning 112 kilometers across the southern North Sea, linking the United Kingdom and Belgium. This short-haul system provides direct connectivity between the two countries, serving as a critical component of the cross-Channel data corridor. Owned and operated by EXA Infrastructure, Q&E North is part of the company's extensive portfolio of digital infrastructure assets across Europe and the transatlantic region. The cable was declared ready for service in 2025, making it one of the newer systems in this strategically important region.

Designed to enhance data traffic capacity and resilience between the UK and mainland Europe, Q&E North is a vital link in the broader European digital ecosystem. Its relatively short length highlights its focus on efficiency and low-latency connectivity, offering an alternative to longer intercontinental cables that also land in the region. The system supports the increasing demand for high-speed, reliable data transmission in one of the busiest internet traffic corridors in Europe.

Route and Landings

Q&E North connects Ostend in Belgium to Joss Bay on the Thanet coast of Kent in the United Kingdom. Ostend, located on Belgium's North Sea coast, has long been a prominent hub for submarine cable landings due to its strategic position and well-developed telecommunications infrastructure. The city serves as a gateway for data traffic between mainland Europe and the British Isles, making it an ideal landing point for Q&E North.

On the UK side, Joss Bay is situated on the southeastern coast of England, a region with a rich history of hosting submarine cable systems. The Thanet coastline is strategically positioned for cables crossing the southern North Sea, offering a direct and efficient route to continental Europe. The relatively short distance between Ostend and Joss Bay minimizes latency, making Q&E North a valuable asset for low-latency applications and services. This connection reinforces the role of both landing points as key nodes in the European digital infrastructure network.

Ownership and History

Q&E North is wholly owned by EXA Infrastructure, a major operator of digital infrastructure assets across Europe and the transatlantic region. The company manages an extensive network of both subsea and terrestrial fiber systems, with a strong presence in the UK and Belgian coastal regions. Q&E North complements EXA Infrastructure's broader strategy of providing high-capacity, low-latency connectivity solutions for European and global markets.

The cable was commissioned and became operational in 2025, adding to the dense network of submarine systems in the Belgium-United Kingdom corridor. While many cables in this region are part of longer intercontinental routes, Q&E North is distinct in its focus on direct, short-haul connectivity. This specialization underscores its role in enhancing regional data traffic flows and supporting the growing demand for reliable, high-speed internet services between the UK and mainland Europe.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of Q&E North includes data from 406 measured corridors, providing insights into the cable's performance. The best recorded round-trip time (RTT) is 19 milliseconds, while the average RTT is 81 milliseconds. These figures reflect the cable's short geographic span and its focus on low-latency connectivity between Ostend and Joss Bay.

The southern North Sea, where Q&E North is located, is a relatively shallow body of water, which facilitates the installation and maintenance of submarine cables. The cable's performance metrics highlight its efficiency in handling data traffic across this busy corridor. By providing a direct link between two major landing points, Q&E North plays a crucial role in supporting the digital infrastructure needs of communities and businesses in both Belgium and the United Kingdom.