Vodafone Spain and Canalink have signed a key agreement to provide dedicated fiber-optic capacity for each of the two new submarine cables under the GC-LNZ-FU Ring Project to enhance connectivity between Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria.
Set to be operational by the end of 2026, the project will bolster digital infrastructure in the province of Las Palmas. Through this partnership, Vodafone Spain will significantly increase the network’s capacity and resilience, supporting the region’s long-term digital transformation goals.
Jesús Suso, Director of Vodafone Business, said:
This agreement reinforces our commitment to connectivity in the Canary Islands, ensuring the capacity and resilience necessary for the archipelago to successfully face its digital transformation in the coming years.
The initiative complements the recent deployment of the 2Africa submarine cable, which connects the Canary Islands to Portugal and enhances the region’s overall digital capacity. Vodafone Spain emphasized that the agreement with Canalink will help consolidate the islands’ role as a strategic digital hub in the Atlantic.
From Canalink’s side, CEO, Rubén Molowny, highlighted the importance of the collaboration:
This agreement with Vodafone Spain is a step of vital importance to consolidate the Canary Islands as a digital node of reference in the Atlantic. From Canalink, we celebrate being able to advance together with a strategic partner, such as Vodafone, in an initiative that demonstrates how public-private collaboration can transform the digital capacity of an entire territory.
The GC-LNZ-FU Ring Project is co-financed by the European Union (EU) through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program. It involves the deployment of two repeater-less submarine cables containing eight fiber pairs, delivering a combined capacity of 308 terabits per second (Tbps) and a projected lifespan of 25 years.
With a total budget of EUR 34 million, the project will incorporate branching units to ensure redundancy, enhancing both capacity and system resilience in the eastern Canary Islands. Vodafone Spain confirmed that environmental protection remains a priority, with technical marine studies and specialized observers involved during the cable installation phase.
The project’s marine feasibility and environmental studies were completed on March 20, 2025, giving the green light for construction. With the region’s growing digital demands, this infrastructure milestone positions the Canary Islands as a stronger, more connected player in the global digital landscape.
