EXA to Build Meridian Cable

EXA Infrastructure has plans for a new transatlantic cable system. Yesterday they launched EXA Meridian, which will connect the east coast of the US with the southwestern part of the UK. It will be the company’s 9th cable and will be built by EXA solo – no consortium needed.

EXA Meridian will feature 24 fiber pairs and span 6,552km with landings in Brean UK and somewhere in New Jersey. Those are not surprise landing stations so this is about capacity and not as much about geographical diversity. They didn’t specify the landing station on the US end, but I recall that they do have a relationship with NJFX in Wall Township. At full capacity it will carry 500Tbps with current gear.

EXA’s other cables come in part from their purchase of Hibernia years ago and in part from their participation in the Dunant, Amitie, and Havfrue builds in more recent times. This will be the first transatlantic cable they’ve built on their own in the company’s current form or, as the company says, “by any single operator in a decade”.  I’m sure there will be plenty of hyperscale and AI customers involved to keep it busy and well funded though.

If all goes well, EXA Meridian will be ready for service in 2029 sometime. That’s a while off yet though of course. Xtera will be a key supplyer.

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