Thetis

Overview

Thetis is a domestic submarine cable system that operates exclusively within Greece. With a total length of 660 kilometers, it connects a diverse range of Greek island and mainland communities, enhancing connectivity across the Aegean and Ionian seas. The cable is owned by Vodafone, a major telecommunications provider in Greece, and serves as a critical infrastructure component for intra-Greek communications. Thetis links twenty landing points, reflecting the fragmented geography of Greece and the importance of submarine cables in bridging its numerous islands and coastal regions.

As a system designed solely for domestic use, Thetis plays a specialized role in Greece's telecommunications landscape. Unlike international cables that connect Greece to other countries, Thetis focuses on improving local connectivity, ensuring that even remote islands and smaller communities have access to reliable network services. This makes it an integral part of Greece's efforts to modernize its digital infrastructure and support its dispersed population.

Route and Landings

Thetis connects twenty landing points, all within Greece, spanning both mainland and island locations. These include Aethos, Agios Sostis, Baxedes, Ermoupoli, Filizi, Kalafati, Kardamena, Kavos, Kochilari, Kontokali, Kremasti, Mykonos, Naousa, Naxos, Perivolos, Pirgaki, Plataria, Plimmiri, Sitia, and Tinos. The cable's route traverses the Aegean and Ionian seas, linking key sites in the Cyclades, Dodecanese, and other island groups, as well as mainland coastal areas.

The geographic distribution of Thetis' landing points highlights its strategic importance for connecting Greece's fragmented archipelago. For example, Mykonos, Naxos, and Tinos are part of the Cyclades, a group of islands known for their tourism and economic activity. Similarly, locations like Kardamena and Kremasti in the Dodecanese bring connectivity to southeastern Aegean islands. Mainland landings such as Plataria and Sitia ensure that coastal regions are also integrated into the network. This extensive coverage underscores the cable's role in overcoming the challenges posed by Greece's complex geography.

Ownership and History

Thetis is fully owned and operated by Vodafone, a multinational telecommunications company with a significant presence in Greece. Vodafone's investment in Thetis reflects its commitment to enhancing domestic connectivity and supporting its network infrastructure across the country. By owning and operating the cable, Vodafone ensures end-to-end control over its performance and reliability, aligning with its broader strategy to deliver high-quality telecommunications services in Greece.

The cable became operational in 2022, making it a relatively recent addition to Greece's submarine cable network. Its deployment represents a response to the growing demand for reliable and high-capacity connectivity within the country, particularly in regions where terrestrial infrastructure is limited or impractical. Thetis complements Vodafone's existing network assets, enabling it to serve both urban centers and remote communities more effectively.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of Thetis reveals its operational performance across 38 measured corridors. The best round-trip time (RTT) recorded is 0 milliseconds, indicative of direct connections between certain landing points. The average RTT across all corridors is 137 milliseconds, reflecting the cable's role in connecting geographically dispersed locations within Greece.

The performance metrics highlight Thetis' efficiency in providing low-latency connectivity across its network. This is particularly significant for island communities, where reliable and fast communication links are essential for economic activities, public services, and daily life. The cable's design and routing ensure that even remote areas benefit from improved network performance, reducing the digital divide within Greece. These measurements underscore Thetis' contribution to enhancing the country's overall telecommunications infrastructure.