Terra Santa: A Remote Link in Brazil's Connectivity Chain
Terra Santa, a small town in northern Brazil, is home to one submarine cable landing point that plays a role in connecting the vast Amazon region to the rest of the country. The cable landing here,
Norte Conectado (Infovia 01), is part of a domestic network designed to improve connectivity across Brazil's interior. While Terra Santa may not boast the bustling activity of larger coastal hubs like Fortaleza or Rio de Janeiro, its inclusion in the Norte Conectado chain highlights the importance of extending digital infrastructure to remote and underserved areas.
The Norte Conectado Cable
The Norte Conectado (Infovia 01) cable spans 1,100 kilometers and became operational in 2023. Unlike international cables that connect Brazil to other countries, this cable is entirely domestic, linking Terra Santa to 10 other landing points across the Amazon region. These include Manaus,
Santarém, and Autazes, among others. Together, these points form a chain that stitches the Amazon basin into Brazil's broader telecommunications network.
Terra Santa's position within this chain is notable. Unlike coastal cities such as Fortaleza, which hosts 10 cables and serves as a major gateway for international traffic, Terra Santa is part of a regional network focused on domestic connectivity. This cable ensures that remote towns like Terra Santa can access the internet and other digital services through its connection to 10 other landing points across the Amazon.
Connectivity and Latency
GeoCables' latency measurements provide valuable insight into the performance of the Norte Conectado cable at Terra Santa. Across 21 completed checks from 15 source cities, the average round-trip latency was recorded at 254 milliseconds, with the best observed latency at 15 milliseconds. These numbers reflect the challenges of connecting remote locations in the Amazon, where distances and infrastructure limitations can impact network performance.
Despite these challenges, the Norte Conectado cable represents a significant step forward for Terra Santa and its neighboring towns. By linking these communities to regional hubs like Manaus and Santarém, the cable enables better access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Positioning Terra Santa Among Brazil's Landing Points
Brazil is home to 22 submarine cables spread across 64 landing points, with an average cable length of 4,862 kilometers. Terra Santa ranks in the top 81% of landing points by cable count, hosting one cable. While this may seem modest compared to hubs like Rio de Janeiro (8 cables) or Santos (5 cables), Terra Santa's role within the Norte Conectado chain is unique. It represents an effort to bring connectivity to regions far from Brazil's coastal centers, where most submarine cables land.
In contrast to Autazes, which hosts two cables, Terra Santa's single cable underlines its reliance on the Norte Conectado network. The chain's design ensures that even smaller towns like Terra Santa can benefit from improved connectivity, fostering development in areas that have historically been isolated.
Conclusion
Terra Santa's inclusion in the Norte Conectado cable network is a testament to Brazil's commitment to bridging the digital divide. While it may not rival the international connectivity of coastal hubs, its role in the domestic chain is essential for linking remote Amazonian communities to the rest of the country. As the Norte Conectado cable continues to operate, towns like Terra Santa will gain greater access to the digital tools and services that drive modern life.