Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced Fastnet, a new transatlantic subsea fiber optic cable system that will connect Maryland in the United States with County Cork, Ireland. The system is expected to be operational in 2028 and aims to provide additional data pathway diversity for AWS customers, reducing the risk of service disruptions if other undersea cables are compromised.
Fastnet is designed with two unique landing points, offering backup routes and strengthening network resilience. This approach addresses growing demands in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and edge applications that rely on AWS services such as Amazon CloudFront and AWS Global Accelerator. The cable system features advanced optical switching branching unit technology, allowing future expansion and redirection of data as network needs evolve.
With a design capacity exceeding 320 terabits per second, Fastnet can support significant data transmission requirements. According to AWS, this capacity could stream 12.5 million high-definition films simultaneously or transmit the entire digitized Library of Congress three times every second. The system will integrate directly into AWS’s global network infrastructure, which currently spans 38 Geographic Regions and 120 Availability Zones worldwide.
The company emphasizes that its centralized real-time traffic monitoring allows for millions of daily optimizations across its network, helping avoid congestion before it impacts customer applications. This infrastructure enables rapid rerouting of data and multiple layers of redundancy for uninterrupted operations.
AWS states that the project will benefit customers by providing secured long-term capacity and scalable bandwidth for critical operations ranging from generative AI to international commerce. The investment also supports community development initiatives in both Maryland’s Eastern Shore and County Cork through Community Benefit Funds aimed at local priorities such as sustainability programs, education, workforce development, economic growth, inclusion efforts, and social services.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin commented on the announcement: “Amazon’s new Fastnet transatlantic subsea cable represents a vote of confidence in Ireland’s digital future, helping to enable the next wave of innovation in cloud computing and artificial intelligence. By linking County Cork to Maryland in the United States, Ireland will become a true gateway to Europe for submarine telecommunications cables. This investment will enhance our global connectivity, reinforce the resilience of critical digital infrastructure, and strengthen our economic competitiveness.”
Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland added: “Building Maryland’s first-ever subsea fiber cable is an achievement bigger than broadband connectivity—it’s about securing Maryland’s status as a global hub for innovation, job creation, and high-tech investment. To grow our economy, we need to prioritize industries of the future. That is exactly what this project helps us deliver, in partnership with leaders with deep local ties and robust commitment to community engagement.”
AWS continues expanding its infrastructure globally with more than 9 million kilometers of terrestrial and subsea fiber optic cabling—enough distance to reach from Earth to the Moon and back over eleven times—and plans for additional regions and availability zones are underway.
As organizations increasingly depend on consistent access to cloud services for mission-critical operations worldwide, projects like Fastnet are intended to ensure secure and reliable paths for data between continents.
