Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced Fastnet, a state-of-the-art transatlantic subsea cable system that will deliver unprecedented data capacity and resilience between the United States and Ireland. The cable, scheduled to be operational in 2028, represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in recent digital history.
Unprecedented Capacity for the AI Era
Fastnet will deliver over 320 terabits per second, enough bandwidth to:
- Stream 12.5 million HD films simultaneously
- Transmit the entire digitized Library of Congress three times every second
- Support massive AI workloads and cloud-native applications across continents
“This strategic placement strengthens our network in two ways: it provides backup routes if other cables encounter issues, and it creates a network design for growing demands in cloud computing, AI, and edge applications,” AWS stated in its announcement.
Strategic Design for Geopolitical Resilience
Unlike traditional transatlantic cables that concentrate around the UK and France, Fastnet features unique landing points in Maryland, USA, and County Cork, Ireland. This deliberate route diversity provides critical redundancy away from established cable corridors, enhancing global network stability.
The cable incorporates robust physical protection measures:
- Steel armor plating in nearshore areas to guard against natural and human interference
- Advanced optical switching technology that can redirect data to future landing points as needed
- Real-time monitoring systems with complete visibility across AWS’s global network
Community Partnership and Investment
Recognizing that infrastructure projects succeed through local collaboration, AWS is establishing Community Benefit Funds for both Maryland’s Eastern Shore and County Cork. These funds will support:
- STEM education and workforce development
- Environmental sustainability programs
- Economic development initiatives
- Programs addressing homelessness and hunger
“Building Maryland’s first-ever subsea fiber cable is an achievement bigger than broadband connectivity; it’s about securing Maryland’s status as a global hub for innovation, job creation, and high-tech investment,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
The Bigger Picture: AWS’s Global Ambition
Fastnet becomes part of AWS’s massive global infrastructure that now spans:
- 38 Geographic Regions and 120 Availability Zones
- Over 9 million kilometers of fiber optic cabling (enough to reach the Moon and back 11 times)
- Plans for 10 additional Availability Zones and three more AWS Regions
The system integrates with AWS’s automated network management, which resolves 96% of network events without human intervention through services like Elastic Load Balancing and Amazon CloudWatch.
Beyond Amazon
As digital services become increasingly critical to the global economy, reliable transatlantic connectivity ensures that businesses, researchers, and governments can maintain seamless operations across continents. Fastnet represents more than just Amazon’s infrastructure; it’s becoming the foundation for the next generation of digital innovation.
With its combination of massive capacity, strategic routing, physical resilience, and community engagement, Fastnet may well set the standard for future global digital infrastructure projects.
