First-ever fiber optic cable between U.S. and India via Brazil and South Africa

The first-ever fiber optic cable with a route between the U.S. And India via Brazil and South Africa will soon be a reality. This is according to a joint provisioning agreement entered into by Seaborn Networks ("Seaborn") and IOX Cable Ltd ("IOX").

The cable is a "first" given its unique path connecting the U.S. with three BRICS countries.

![IOX Fiber optic submarine cable system](/content/images/2017/11/service-detail-1.jpg)

The IOX fiber optic submarine cable system.

"We are extremely pleased to work with IOX to provide this unique and highly secure route. This alliance will reshape the global communications landscape for the Southern Hemisphere," said Larry Schwartz, Chairman & CEO at Seaborn.

Seaborn is the developer-owner-operator of: Seabras-1, a direct subsea system between New York - São Paulo; ARBR, the only new direct subsea system planned to be built between Brazil - Argentina (RFS Q4 2018); and SABR, a new subsea system between Cape Town, South Africa and Seabras-1 (RFS 2019).

"This new relationship between Seaborn and IOX pioneers new global route alternatives to interconnect key emerging markets with the U.S. This strategic relationship is a step forward for us to give our customers and partners the best routes and services and also contribute to the emerging digital economies," said Arunachalam Kandasamy, founder and CEO at IOX.

Kandasamy's IOX is the developer of the IOX Cable System ("IOX System") which is a subsea network interconnecting South Africa, Mauritius, and India (RFS 2019).

Work for the IOX cable route survey has commenced and once completed will provide a direct route between South Africa and India via Mauritius. Seaborn's SABR and the IOX System will interconnect in South Africa.

The Seabras-1 + SABR + IOX System route will be available exclusively through Seaborn and IOX. Customers can contract through either Seaborn or IOX to receive the full benefits of this alliance.

The cable is not the first to come to South Africa, SEACOM is one of the long-standing fiber optic cable companies with a presence in South Africa.