BERMUDA RIDES THE TELECOMS WAVES WITH NEW CANOA SUBSEA CABLE

The Bermuda government is praising the UK overseas territory’s role in a Google project to expand its international undersea cable telecommunications network in the region. Called Canoa, the subsea cable’s Bermuda link is the first undersea cable system to connect Bermuda directly to the Dominican Republic. The cable is then routed across the Caribbean Sea to Panama, then down the South American Pacific coast to Chile.

Bermuda’s Minister of Home Affairs, Alexa N. H. Lightbourne, said, “This connection opens new digital pathways and partnerships between Bermuda, the Dominican Republic and the wider Caribbean Community, strengthens resilience for Bermudian households and businesses, and widens the market they can reach.” Commenting directly on the implications for Bermuda, she added: “ Global infrastructure builders are choosing Bermuda repeatedly, and that confidence places our island on the world stage as a trusted landing point.”

The Bermuda government points out that Canoa opens a southbound corridor that Bermuda has not had before. Noting that every existing route runs north or east, a government statement explained that “this system creates a direct digital pathway between Bermuda and the Caribbean, and it gives commercial and institutional partnerships in the region a physical foundation.” The government also said Bermuda’s relationship with Google has showcased to the world the possibilities of combining its strategic geographic location with a robust regulatory environment responsive to emerging technologies, along with global infrastructure investment.

“Our task now is to ensure that infrastructure translates into opportunity. We want these investments to contribute to greater economic resilience, new areas of business, opportunities for our people, and a Bermuda that is prepared to compete in an increasingly digital global economy,” stated Min. Lightbourne. The Canoa subsea cable system follows Google’s Nuvem and Sol landings and the expansion of the Bermuda Digital Exchange Port announced in June 2026.

Canoa takes its name from the Taíno word for canoe. The installation of the new subsea cable is the second time within a year that Bermuda has recorded two cable landings and secured a third system, each of which extends the routes running through the territory. Google said that, when combined with the Nuvem and Sol cable systems, the Canoa cable will enable a highly reliable and resilient connection from Latin America and the Caribbean directly to Europe and North America. 

“With these new investments, Google continues to pave the way for a more connected and open global cloud network centred on increasing reach, reliability, and resilience for all. New systems can further facilitate future connectivity through strategically placed branching units, mirroring the approach of our Pacific Connect initiative to ensure the network and our partners can grow alongside the needs and opportunities of the region,” Google said.

Meanwhile, in remarks about the development, the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, stated: “This milestone is yet another piece of our collaboration with Google, propelling the Dominican Republic into a new era of global digital integration.”