Unitirreno Submarine Network S.p.A., in partnership with Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) and Elettra Tlc S.p.A., has launched commercial operations of the 1,156-kilometer Unitirreno submarine cable system linking Sicily, Sardinia, Rome, and Genoa. Built using ASN’s new XBU 24FP technology, Unitirreno becomes the world’s first operational 24-fiber-pair repeatered system, delivering more than 624 Tbps of total design capacity and sub-9 millisecond latency from Sicily to Northern Europe via Genoa and Milan. The system positions Italy as a central digital hub bridging Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Engineered by ASN and installed by Elettra’s Teliri cable ship, the network includes four major routes—Mazara–Genoa, Mazara–Rome, Genoa–Rome, and Rome–Olbia—now fully in service. Each of the 24 fiber pairs on the main Genoa–Mazara trunk can deliver over 26 Tbps, with additional pairs reinforcing the Sardinia–Rome link. The open cable architecture supports dark fiber, spectrum, and scalable services to meet surging cloud, AI, and data-intensive application demand while bypassing congested traditional landing points.
Renato Brunetti, CEO of Unitirreno, said the system represents “a foundation for innovation, collaboration, and growth” across the region. ASN President & CEO Alain Biston added that Unitirreno “redefines connectivity standards and meets the growing bandwidth demands driven by the rapid development of AI.” Elettra CEO Didier Dillard highlighted the milestone as a testament to his team’s technical dedication during deployment.
• 1,156 km network connecting Sicily, Sardinia, Rome, and Genoa
• Over 624 Tbps design capacity via 24 fiber pairs using ASN XBU 24FP technology
• Sub-9 ms latency from Sicily to Northern Europe via Genoa/Milan
• Open architecture offering dark fiber, spectrum, and scalable services
• Secure, diverse routes avoiding congested Mediterranean hubs
Andrea Cornetti, President of Unitirreno, said, “By connecting key hubs with world-class performance, we’re enabling businesses and institutions to thrive in an increasingly connected world.”
🌐 Analysis:
The activation of Unitirreno marks a significant leap in Mediterranean subsea capacity and resilience, rivaling Marseille as a strategic hub for intercontinental traffic. ASN’s 24-fiber-pair repeatered technology sets a new benchmark for high-capacity regional systems, complementing recent large-scale builds such as 2Africa and Medusa. With Italy now offering alternative low-latency routes between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, Unitirreno strengthens regional diversity and positions the Tyrrhenian corridor as critical infrastructure for AI and cloud interconnectivity.
🌐 We’re tracking the latest developments in subsea cable infrastructure, policy, and deployments. Follow our ongoing coverage at: https://convergedigest.com/category/subsea/
