Sparkle Unveiled GreenMed Subsea Cable System
The project will expand Mediterranean network resilience by late 2028 via an open-cable infrastructure model.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Data Centers
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Sparkle has unveiled the GreenMed subsea cable project, a new network route situated in the Adriatic Sea east of Italy. This announced project aims to enhance data capacity and geographical diversity for enterprise and AI service demands.
Why it matters
The system addresses a critical need for increased network resilience and geographic path diversity in the Mediterranean market. It supports the surging demand for cloud, content, and enterprise digitalization across regional corridors.
GreenMed utilizes an open-cable model, which permits tenants to independently select their optical architecture and hardware vendors. This represents a modular expansion from Sparkle's previous BlueMed system, which went live in the Tyrrhenian Sea in September 2023.
The players
Sparkle
A global service provider and subsidiary of TIM Group that manages a extensive network of subsea cables and data landing platforms.
NaiTel
A Jordan-based telecommunications operator focused on regional network integration and terrestrial connectivity.
Alcatel Submarine Networks
A leading designer and manufacturer of subsea optical fiber cable systems used in global telecommunications infrastructure.
The details
The GreenMed project involves constructing a subsea link in the Adriatic Sea to facilitate integration with terrestrial fibre networks and regional platforms. By partnering with Jordan-based NaiTel, the system will extend connectivity deep into regional hubs. The project is being developed in collaboration with Alcatel Submarine Networks and Elettra to optimize the physical routing and landing infrastructure.
Timeline
September 2023: The BlueMed subsea system officially went live.
2026: Sparkle officially unveiled the GreenMed subsea project.
August 2026: TeleGeography published the latest global connectivity rankings.
Late 2028: The first segments of the GreenMed system are expected to enter service.
The Tech Race
GreenMed follows the trajectory of the BlueMed system, expanding the reach of Mediterranean data transit to meet the needs of a modern cloud-first economy. This effort directly competes with other regional efforts to secure high-capacity, resilient paths for AI and cloud traffic originating in Europe.
The system will eventually provide businesses and service providers with more reliable, geographically diverse routes for cloud and AI data. Users should expect the first functional service segments to come online by late 2028.
The takeaway
This project signals a sustained industry commitment to shoring up the physical foundations of international data transmission. Interested parties should monitor the progress of the first service segments scheduled for completion in late 2028.
Further reading
For more on the infrastructure shaping global data transit, visit Data Centers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Capacity.
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