In February, the optic fiber cable purchased by the Army to proceed to the second stage of the Connected Amazon Program arrived in the City of Manaus, which program is intended to take a telecommunications infrastructure to the cities in the countryside of the State of Amazonas, through the riverbeds.

After connecting two Army bases through the Negro River in July, 2015 and officially launching the program, the next step is to launch the sub-fluvial cable in the stretch from the cities of Coari to Tefé, at Western Amazon, which is currently served by satellite.

The cable was bought through a contract with company Nexans, from Norway. Measuring 275 km and weighing 390 tons, it took the optic fiber 37 days of navigation through the North Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Amazon River to arrive in Manaus.

The Connected Amazon Program is an inter-agency initiative that will bring quality Internet to the riverside populations, through the riverbeds in the Amazon basin. After the implementation of the sub-fluvial optic fiber, such places will be able to enjoy a series of data network services, such as broadband Internet, telemedicine, distance learning, interconnection among health, public safety, traffic and tourism, in addition to gains for the national defense.

Photo: Brazilian Army.