DE-CIX and CVTelecom Planned South Atlantic Data Corridor
A new non-binding agreement seeks to link Lisbon and São Paulo to diversify global network traffic paths.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Data Centers
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DE-CIX and Cabo Verde Telecom have signed a non-binding letter of intent to develop an interconnection corridor between Lisbon, Portugal, and São Paulo, Brazil. This initiative aims to reduce international reliance on existing data traffic hubs located in Northern Europe and North America.
Why it matters
By bypassing traditional transit hubs, this project seeks to improve network latency and connectivity between Europe, Africa, and Latin America. The use of Cape Verde as a strategic landing point leverages existing infrastructure like the West Africa Cable System.
The proposed infrastructure will integrate CVTelecom’s capacity with DE-CIX’s existing exchange network, which currently operates in cities including Frankfurt, Madrid, and São Paulo. The agreement facilitates direct data transfer pathways rather than routing traffic through traditional northern exchanges.
The players
DE-CIX
An international operator of internet exchanges with hubs in Frankfurt, Madrid, Marseille, New York, and São Paulo.
Cabo Verde Telecom
A telecommunications provider based in Cape Verde that manages local access to major undersea cable systems.
The details
The partnership leverages Cape Verde's position as a central landing point for multiple undersea fiber-optic lines, including the Atlantis and Senegal Horn of Africa Regional Express systems. By connecting these cables directly to DE-CIX’s global exchange points, the project aims to optimize data flow across the South Atlantic. This architecture seeks to lower the dependency on high-traffic nodes in North America and Northern Europe that currently dominate global routing.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: The letter of intent was announced.
The Tech Race
This effort follows the ongoing industry trend of decentralizing global network traffic away from established North American and Northern European clearinghouses. It marks a push to optimize regional connectivity by utilizing under-exploited landing points in the South Atlantic.
The primary effect of this development will be increased network efficiency and potentially lower latency for traffic flowing between Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Users will not see immediate changes, as the project currently remains in the non-binding planning phase.
The takeaway
This agreement highlights the growing strategic importance of the South Atlantic in global telecommunications routing. Readers should monitor for the release of a definitive agreement detailing the technical and commercial implementation of the corridor.
Further reading
Explore more about how physical routing shapes the future of connectivity in Data Centers.
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