Join Jorgen Qvist, chief operating officer at NORDUnet, to explore Polar Connect, the visionary initiative led by NORDUnet and Nordic NRENs to establish a resilient, trans-Arctic submarine cable linking Europe and Asia by 2030.

In this podcast recorded live at Networkshop 2025, learn more about how this route, traversing the High Arctic, complements the Far North Fibre system and offers a sovereign, secure alternative to traditional, congested paths through the Suez Canal, Russia, or North America. In addition to digital connectivity, explore how Polar Connect integrates advanced sensing technologies (eg DAS and SMART sensors), enabling real-time data collection for Arctic climate research, marine biology, and seismology.

The initiative promises substantial societal benefits - enhancing digital sovereignty, resilience, and scientific discovery - while supporting sustainable infrastructure powered by Nordic green energy. Discover how the harsh Arctic environment presents logistical and technical challenges, requiring ice-class vessels, phased implementation, and public-private investment models. Polar Connect is supported under the EU's CEF Digital programme and aligns with broader strategies for European digital autonomy and global data infrastructure resilience.

Show notes

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Polar connect: Pan-Arctic connectivity