Consultants submit bids for Chile to Antarctica submarine cable feasibility study

Chilean regulator Subtel is on the verge of selecting its consulting partner for the next phase of the planned submarine fibre optic cable project between Chile and Antarctica.

In September last year, Chile announced a project to connect Antarctica with Chile. The goal of the new submarine fibre optic cable is to enhance scientific research, and improve dialogue and cooperation with other countries on the Antarctic continent.

While Antarctica is a territory that does not belong to any country (since it is governed by the Antarctic Treaty), countries do have stakes on the Earth’s southernmost and least-populated continent. Many nations have established scientific bases on Antarctica, focused on conducting research and supporting the preservation of marine resources.

Commenting on the importance of the project, Claudio Araya San Martin, Chilean Undersecretary of Telecommunications, said: “Currently Antarctica has only satellite connectivity solutions, so being able to connect this territory through a technology such as fibre optics will allow us to strengthen the scientific research of all those who today are making great contributions in terms of knowledge from that territory.”

The planned Chile – Antarctica Cable would run approximately 1,000 km from Puerto Williams on the Beagle Channel to Antarctica's King George Island, taking advantage of Chile's existing fiber infrastructure in Puerto Williams via the Fibra Óptica Austral (FOA).

Following an initial exploration phase, the project is now in its feasibility stage. Among the aspects that must be addressed in the feasibility study are the establishment of the exact optimal route for the cable and the technical solution to comply with applicable environmental regulations.

A detailed risk analysis of the project must be performed, as well as of its possible negative and positive impacts, in addition to the establishment of recommendations and mitigation measures.

Four groups in the running

Four groups are in the running to conduct the feasibility study. They all submitted their plans in December 2024, with Chile’s ministry of Telecommunications currently carrying out a technical review of the four proposals. The winner is expected to be announced next week.

The four groups are: the consortium Raylex-AMBEC, the consortium TMG-WFN, the consortium Salience Consulting and Pioneer Consulting, and Deloitte.

Based in Chile, AMBEC is a legal and environmental consulting firm focused on providing strategic advice, environmental assessment, management of sectoral permits and regulatory affairs. Raylex is a Chilean telecom was founded 55 years ago.

WFN is a consulting firm specialized on planning and implementation of submarine cable systems, while Telecommunications Management Group (TMG) provides consulting for the broader ICT market. Both firms are US-based and have previously worked together on the economic, technical and legal feasibility study of Chile’s Transpacific cable, the Humboldt cable system.

Salience Consulting is a Middle East advisory firm specialized in telecoms business strategies, technology and innovation. US-headquartered Pioneer Consulting specializes in telecommunications infrastructure development, with a focus on subsea fiber optic cables.

Deloitte is one of the world’s largest accounting and consulting firms. The firm’s bid was led by its team in Chile, in collaboration with experts from its global Telecom practice.

The feasibility study will be funded by Andean Development Corporation (CAF), a multilateral financial institution, and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (MCDF). The budget is around $2.2 million.