Russia has begun installing its first underwater fiber-optic communications cable in the Arctic.

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Russia has begun installing its first underwater fiber-optic

Russia on Friday began installing its first underwater fiber-optic communications cable in the Arctic as part of a state project to bring high-speed internet to the oil-rich far north after a private initiative stalled, Reuters reports. , writes news.ro.

Moscow wants to improve its communications infrastructure in the far north, where it has expanded its military presence and is developing the North Sea Route to become a major sea route. The cable, which is expected to be installed by 2026, will be 12,650 kilometers long, along Russia's northern coast, from the state of Teriberka in the Barents Sea to the eastern port of Vladivostok. Called the "Polar Express", the cable will be operated by the state-owned company Morsviazsputnik to provide stable internet in Arctic ports, as well as in the Kamchatka and Sakhalin peninsulas.

The head of the company that will produce and install the cable, Alexei Strelchenko, said the project will cost 65 billion rubles ($ 889 million) and will be fully funded by the state.