Tuesday Bytes: Arelion, Lancom, Ciena, TAFS, Lyte

A new fiber route, an IX expansion, a subsea optical deployment, and a substantial BEAD award.

Arelion has added a new route to its European backbone through the Baltic region. The new diverse route was assembled from pieces of Arelion’s own infrastructure and fibers from regional partners. It connects Helsinki with Warsaw via Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, thus connecting northern Europe to central Europe without going through Copenhagen and Stockholm. The project drew some funding from the EU’s CEF2 program.

The island of Crete now has a new internet exchange. The Greek provider Lancom has brought NetIX GR to the city of Chania, expanding over the waves from Athens and Thessaoniki. Crete’s position in the infrastructure ecosystem has been rising of late, with more subsea cable options and more providers looking to leverage its strategic position.

Ciena’s gear will be getting a workout under much of the Caribbean. Trans America Fiber System says it will be using Ciena’s optical technology on the new TAM-1 system, which offers connectivity between Florida, Central America, and a range of Caribbean islands. The northern route should be ready later this quarter, with the southern route being turned up in early 2026.

And in Texas, Lyte Fiber has won a significant new BEAD award to build out last mile fiber. They have been awarded $142M by the state of Texas, of which $119M will come from federal funding and the balance from the state. Lyte will add $40M of its own and build out to projects in the counties of Bee, Cass, Harris, Kleberg, Marion, Navarro, and San Patricio connecting some 9,700 homes in underserved areas.

If you haven't already, please take our Reader Survey! Just 3 questions to help us better understand who is reading Telecom Ramblings so we can serve you better!

Categories: Fiber Networks · FTTH · Interconnection · Telecom Equipment · Undersea cables