Orange Partnered to Advance Pisces Subsea Cable System
A new joint venture aims to complete the cross-European infrastructure project connecting Ireland, France, Spain, and Portugal.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Data Centers
Orange has formed a joint venture with Equitix to develop the Pisces subsea cable system. The project, which spans connections between Ireland, France, Spain, and Portugal, recently secured a fresh grant for its third phase.
Why it matters
The investment supports the expansion of critical subsea infrastructure under the European Union's Digital Global Gateways Strategy. By securing this funding, the project moves into its next operational phase, strengthening data connectivity across European borders.
The European Union Connecting Europe Facility awarded 18.9 million euros to fund the third phase of the Pisces project. This grant builds upon prior capital investments from the same facility that supported the system's initial development stages.
The players
Orange
A multinational telecommunications corporation providing global network infrastructure and digital services.
Equitix
An infrastructure-focused fund manager specializing in long-term investments in essential public and private assets.
Connecting Europe Facility
A European Union funding instrument designed to support the development of high-performing, sustainable, and interconnected trans-European networks.
The details
The Pisces subsea cable system is designed to provide high-capacity data transmission across Ireland, France, Spain, and Portugal. The joint venture between telecommunications operator Orange and infrastructure investment firm Equitix facilitates the capital deployment required for the next phase of construction. This development aligns with the European Union's Digital Global Gateways Strategy, which prioritizes the expansion of secure, resilient, and interconnected digital infrastructure across the region.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: Orange announced the formation of the joint venture.
The Tech Race
The Pisces subsea cable system represents a concrete deployment of the European Union's Digital Global Gateways Strategy. This project follows the strategy's mandate to increase regional network resilience through targeted cross-border infrastructure investments.
The expansion of this cable system will eventually increase data capacity and improve connection reliability for users and enterprises across Ireland, France, Spain, and Portugal. While the construction phases continue, users will not see immediate changes in service until the project is commissioned.
The takeaway
The Pisces project reflects a broader push to modernize European data corridors through public-private partnerships. Stakeholders should monitor future project phases for milestones regarding the installation timeline and the system's eventual integration into the wider regional network.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolution of physical connectivity in Data Centers.
