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Broadband To Hit The South Pole

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the cable-loop-isn't-yet-crowded dept.

Albanach writes: "According to this story from the BBC bids are being invited to lay a fibre-optic cable some 1600 kilometres over polar ice, linking researchers at the South Pole with the rest of the planet. Currently, researcher's communications rely upon older satellites that have drifted from their geostationary orbits into ones that are now at least partly visible from the pole. The new cable will be laid on top of the 4km ice cap, and will have to cope with repeated freezing and stretching as the ice moves."

3 of 286 comments (clear)

  1. If we wait by ericdano · · Score: 4, Informative

    If we wait a few more years we can do an undersea cable.

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  2. Re:Challenge by chill · · Score: 5, Informative

    Lucent's new optical equipment can push a signal 2000-4000 KM without need for regeneration. Distance depends on speed. It is all DWDM OC-192 multiplex, so the "slow" speed is still ungodly fast.

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  3. paper on Antartica's network by Raiford · · Score: 4, Informative
    The current network connecting the existing research facilities at the South Pole is quite extensive and lends itself to satallite links. It would seem that another satallite would be the best solution. Check out the article by Raytheon Polar Services which describes the current technology down there.

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