New PISCES Subsea Cable to Connect Ireland to Europe
The proposed 3,125km cable system aims to bolster international data connectivity by 2028.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Data Centers
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PISCES Cable System Limited submitted a regulatory application on 5 October 2026 to install a 3,125km subsea fiber optic cable. The project intends to connect Galway, Ireland, directly to France, Spain, and Portugal by 2028.
Why it matters
The project aims to improve international connectivity by diversifying Ireland's existing telecommunications links to mainland Europe. Supported by EU funding, this initiative builds out essential infrastructure for high-capacity data transit.
The PISCES system features 16 fiber pairs spanning 3,125km across the Atlantic route. This capacity is intended to support high-throughput communications between Ireland and major hubs in France, Spain, and Portugal.
The players
Orange
A multinational telecommunications operator that provides mobile, broadband, and cloud infrastructure services.
Equitix
An asset management firm that specializes in infrastructure investment, particularly in energy and communications projects.
PISCES Cable System Limited
The special purpose entity created to manage the development and regulatory licensing of the subsea cable system.
The details
The PISCES project involves a subsea cable installation starting at Ballyloughane Strand in Galway Bay. The system requires consent for end-to-end management, covering the initial installation, ongoing monitoring, maintenance, potential repairs, and eventual decommissioning. The venture utilizes financial backing from the EU Connecting Europe Facility alongside the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund to facilitate physical construction.
Timeline
5 October 2026: PISCES submitted its formal consent application (MAC260029) to the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority.
14 October 2026: Orange, Equitix, and MDM announced their joint venture to develop the cable system.
2028: The system deployment is currently anticipated.
The Tech Race
This project aligns with the EU Connecting Europe Facility's mandate to expand and modernize high-capacity digital pathways between member states. It follows a multi-year trend of investment aimed at securing direct, redundant communications links to diversify European data transit routes.
The project is not expected to be operational until 2028, meaning there is no immediate change for internet users or data service providers. Once active, the cable will primarily improve network latency and reliability for high-capacity data transfers between Ireland and Southern Europe.
The takeaway
The PISCES system represents a significant long-term infrastructure investment designed to reduce reliance on legacy pathways. Readers should monitor the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority portal for updates regarding the MAC260029 approval status.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest infrastructure projects and connectivity trends in Data Centers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ireland Afloat.
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