Aqua Comms

Aqua Comms is a leading provider of global subsea connectivity services delivered through an extensive portfolio of owned and operated subsea cable systems. The company offers connectivity networking solutions, including managed capacity services, spectrum, and dark fiber to the global content, cloud, and carrier markets. Aqua Comms owns and operates multiple fiber-optic cable systems linking the US and Europe across the Atlantic, such as AEConnect-1 (AEC-1), AEConnect-2 (AEC-2), and associated networks.

AEC-1, which became operational in 2016, connects New York to Ireland and has Microsoft and Facebook as anchor tenants. The first leg of AEC-2 was ready for service in 2020, connecting New York to Denmark, with Apple, Facebook, and Google as anchor tenants. In March 2022, Aqua Comms announced the successful launch of CeltixConnect-2 (CC-2) and North Sea Connect (NSC) as part of its ownership of the Havhingsten cable system. CC-2 is Aqua Comms' second unrepeated system between Ireland and the UK, providing resilient, high fiber count connectivity between these hubs. NSC offers a new route connecting the UK and the Nordics, including the Stellium Data Centre in Newcastle and Blaabjerg, Denmark, which also hosts AEC-2. Together, CC-2 and NSC provide regional connectivity to AEC-1 and AEC-2, ensuring resilience and diversity between the US, Ireland, the UK, and the Nordics.

In September 2022, AEC-2, also known as Havfrue, landed in Ireland, marking a significant milestone. Aqua Comms' third Trans-Atlantic subsea cable, AEC-3, connecting Boston, US, to Slough, UK, is expected to launch in 2024 and will deliver 10GB, 100GB, and 400GB wavelengths. In January 2023, Aqua Comms announced the acquisition of Openbyte, an Indian infrastructure company, to further its project to build EMIC-1, the planned Europe Middle East India Connect subsea cable. In February 2024, Aqua Comms secured a long-term lease agreement for Trans-Atlantic subsea spectrum with Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) for 25% of a fiber pair between New York, Dublin, and London, marking ESnet's first Trans-Atlantic spectrum acquisition.

In April 2021, Aqua Comms was acquired by Digital nine Infrastructure plc (D9), a London Stock Exchange-listed investment trust managed by Triple Point Investment Management LLP.