INDUSTRY NEWS
Vodafone to boost internet in Greece with 180tbps subsea cable
A new 340-kilometre subsea optical fibre link is set to be built by Vodafone, providing enough capacity to let around 25 million people stream 4K video simultaneously as it connects Crete to mainland Greece. The cable system, called the Thetis Express, will be able to transmit up to 180 terabits of data per second, positing Greece as a key international connectivity hub and subsequently provide a boost to local economy. Vodafone is also building three new high-speed land- based cable systems which together with the subsea route will help position Greece as a major link in Europe’s digital
corridor to other continents. Work has started on the new subsea fibre cable, with the marine survey already underway. The entire system will comprise two marine segments of 129 and 163 kilometres, plus terrestrial connections across the island of Milos and the end points on Crete and in Athens. “Vodafone plays a central role in ensuring Internet traffic flows smoothly and securely worldwide,” said Fanan Henriques, Product and International Business Director, Vodafone Business. “We are now extending this capability to more places in Greece using a mix of new optical fibre terrestrial and subsea cables,
and in the future, emerging satellite services like space- based direct-to-device mobile broadband.” The Thetis Express, together with the complementary terrestrial wholesale routes, will offer third-party providers a wider range of wholesale interconnectivity services to and from Greece to the rest of Europe, as well as Southeast Asia. Wholesale and retail customers will benefit from the ability to quickly switch traffic in the event of a cable break or power failure, alongside quicker interconnection across wide areas – including at a local level – when accessing online services, transmitting data or joining video
conferencing calls. Plans involve linking
the Thetis Express to the expansive 2Africa cable network, which is already connected at Vodafone’s landing station in Crete and will ultimately connect 33 countries throughout Africa, Europe, and Asia. Vodafone Greece already operates an extensive subsea and terrestrial network infrastructure in the Aegean
and Ionian Seas. These connect Attica with the
Cyclades islands (Syros, Tinos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros and Santorini), the Dodecanese (Kos and Rhodes) and Crete, as well as linking Corfu with mainland Greece.
Emtelle to boost fibre output by 5.5m kilometres with Indonesia deal
Perceptra secures €1.2 million to accelerate photonic sensing
Fibre optic manufacturer Emtelle has announced that it has concluded a strategic deal to produce its fibre optic core in Indonesia. According to the company, the initiative will strengthen Emtelle global manufacturing capacity and supply-chain resilience, allowing it to produce an additional 5.5 million fibre kilometres (FKM). This fibre will support the production of Emtelle’s fibre optic product portfolio and will also be supplied to select customers in the United States and Europe, supporting its growing demand across these key markets. The investment reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable fibre solutions such as IBR, Ribbon, Loose Tube Cables and pre-terminated product ranges at scale. The
Photonic sensing technology developer Perceptra has secured a €1.2 million investment from PhotonDelta to accelerate the development and commercialisation of its next-generation of photonic chip-based Raman sensors. The funding marks the next stage in the collaboration between Perceptra and PhotonDelta, following the company’s success in the 2025 Global Photonics Engineering Contest for its ultra-compact photonic chip-based Raman sensor for real-time molecular monitoring in biomanufacturing. Perceptra’s technology aims to replace bulky dispersive spectrometers with on- chip tuneable lasers. Having demonstrated proof-of- concept, Perceptra will use the funding to develop a first PIC- based version of the system. Launching its innovative solution at the PIC Summit
Indonesian initiative will play a critical role in ensuring continuity of supply, consistent quality, increasing available capacity and providing greater flexibility to satisfy key Global customer’s requirements. The UK-headquartered company, which employs around 800 people worldwide, has existing manufacturing facilities in UK, USA, Germany, UAE and Denmark. “The drawing of fibre in Indonesia is yet another milestone moment in the
Europe 2025 in October, Perceptra demonstrated a working prototype developed in collaboration with PhiX Photonics Assembly and LioniX International. The company is relocating its integrated photonic R&D to the Netherlands to join the vibrant PhotonDelta ecosystem. This will facilitate access to a world-leading infrastructure, research networks, and a large engineering talent pool, enabling Perceptra to advance its technology and scale its business in Europe. “Integrated photonics is redefining what’s possible in molecular sensing, and by joining the PhotonDelta ecosystem in the Netherlands, we will be able to accelerate development, access world- class fabrication, and bring our first photonic sensing products to market,” said Amir Atabaki, CEO and Co-founder of Perceptra.
story of Emtelle,” said Tony Rodgers, CEO of
Emtelle Group. “As global fibre demand continues to accelerate and supply tightens, Emtelle’s investment in fibre drawing capacity significantly strengthens its ability to stay ahead of anticipated market constraints.”
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| ISSUE 43 | Q1 2026
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