Suriname-Guyana Submarine Cable System (SG-SCS): A regional link between South America and the Caribbean
The Suriname-Guyana Submarine Cable System (SG-SCS) is a submarine telecommunications cable connecting Suriname, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. It spans a distance of 1249 kilometers and is jointly owned by Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) and Telesur, the national telecommunications operators of Guyana and Suriname, respectively. The cable has been listed as in service since 2010 according to GeoCables records, though industry sources may occasionally suggest alternative dates, requiring careful scrutiny.
This cable is notable for its role in providing connectivity between the northern coast of South America and the Caribbean. Despite its importance to regional telecommunications, many technical details about the SG-SCS-such as its design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, and specific technology-are not publicly disclosed. This lack of transparency makes it challenging to fully assess its capabilities and performance.
Quick facts
| System Name | Suriname-Guyana Submarine Cable System (SG-SCS) |
| Length | 1249 km |
| Ready for Service (RFS) | 2010 (GeoCables database) |
| Owners | Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T), Telesur |
| Status | In service |
| Design Capacity | Not disclosed |
| Fiber Pairs | Not disclosed |
| Supplier | Not disclosed |
| Technology | Not disclosed |
| Landing Points | Chaguaramas (Trinidad and Tobago); Georgetown (Guyana); Totness (Suriname) |
🗺 Show Suriname-Guyana Submarine Cable System (SG-SCS) on the interactive cable map
Route
The SG-SCS connects three landing points: Chaguaramas in Trinidad and Tobago, Georgetown in Guyana, and Totness in Suriname. Chaguaramas serves as a hub for multiple submarine cables, including
Deep Blue One,
Eastern Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS),
EC Link, and
Southern Caribbean Fiber. Georgetown is also connected to other systems like Deep Blue One and the
X-Link Submarine Cable. Totness, located on Suriname's northern coast, is the primary landing point for this cable in Suriname.
The route traverses the shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, which are generally favorable for cable installation and maintenance. However, the region's susceptibility to tropical storms and hurricanes can pose challenges for cable operations.
Why it was built and what it carries
The SG-SCS was built to enhance connectivity between Suriname, Guyana, and the broader Caribbean region. It supports international voice, data, and internet traffic, serving as a critical link for the telecommunications infrastructure of these countries. By connecting to Chaguaramas, the cable provides access to other regional and international networks, facilitating global communication.
The cable's construction reflects the growing demand for reliable broadband services in Suriname and Guyana, driven by economic development and increasing internet penetration. While specifics about its capacity are not publicly disclosed, its role in supporting regional connectivity is evident.
History: what can be established
GeoCables records indicate that the SG-SCS became ready for service in 2010. However, some industry sources occasionally suggest alternative dates, highlighting the need for caution when interpreting historical data. Discrepancies in reported RFS dates could stem from differences in definitions (e.g., commercial launch versus technical readiness), delays in documentation, or variations in reporting standards.
The cable's ownership by GT&T and Telesur underscores its significance as a bilateral initiative between Guyana and Suriname, aimed at strengthening communication links and fostering regional cooperation.
Capacity and technology
Publicly available information does not disclose the SG-SCS's design capacity, fiber pair count, supplier, or specific technology. Without operator documentation, attributing these details would be speculative. The cable's age suggests it may utilize older optical transmission technologies compared to newer systems, but this cannot be confirmed without further evidence.
Latency: the physics
Theoretical one-way light propagation over the SG-SCS's 1249 km wet segment is approximately 6.1 milliseconds, yielding a round-trip time (RTT) floor of 12.2 milliseconds. Real-world RTT measurements, however, are significantly higher due to additional factors such as land-based network segments, terminal equipment, and routing inefficiencies.
Live measurements from remote probes illustrate this disparity:
- Chaguaramas to Totness: Minimum RTT of 44.7 ms, average RTT of 77.5 ms.
- Totness to Chaguaramas: Minimum and average RTT of 114.0 ms.
- Sao Paulo to Totness: Minimum and average RTT of 148.8 ms.
- Cape Town to Totness: Minimum and average RTT of 238.1 ms.
- Minsk to Totness: Minimum and average RTT of 189.4 ms.
- Saint Petersburg to Totness: Minimum and average RTT of 182.8 ms.
These measurements reflect the full internet path, including terrestrial segments and intermediate hops, rather than the cable alone.
Redundancy: what happens if it breaks
In the event of a failure, redundancy for the SG-SCS is likely provided by other cables landing at Chaguaramas and Georgetown, such as Deep Blue One, ECFS, EC Link, Southern Caribbean Fiber, and X-Link Submarine Cable. These systems offer alternative routes for traffic between Suriname, Guyana, and the Caribbean. Repairs for submarine cables typically involve specialized vessels and can be delayed by weather conditions or logistical challenges.
Bottom line
- The SG-SCS spans 1249 km and connects Suriname, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago.
- It has been in service since 2010, though alternative RFS dates may exist in industry sources.
- Ownership is shared between GT&T and Telesur.
- Technical details such as capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, and technology remain undisclosed.
- Theoretical RTT is 12.2 ms, but real-world latency is much higher due to land tails and routing.
- Redundancy is likely provided by other cables landing at Chaguaramas and Georgetown.