Vodafone looking at new cable connecting UK and Norway
VodafoneThree has announced a feasibility study into a new UK-Norway digital corridor, exploring a high-speed subsea cable route linking mainland Scotland to Shetland and onward to Norway.
The proposed route could deliver up to £8.2 billion in economic value over the next ten years*, according to research conducted by consultancy firm WPI Strategy and commissioned by Vodafone Business.
Expected to begin in summer 2027, the study will assess the Scotland-Shetland-Norway route and examine how greater international connectivity could support businesses, public services, defence, data centres and critical national infrastructure (CNI).
By providing additional high-capacity, resilient connectivity, the cable could help make northern Scotland and Shetland more attractive locations for data-centre investment, the telecoms giant siad.
It added that the cable could unlock wider economic benefits through construction, skilled employment, local supply chains and new commercial opportunities, subject to the findings of the feasibility study.
It could also strengthen the case for investment in northern Scotland and Shetland, supporting regional growth, skilled employment and local supply chains.
The move seems to have government backing, with Defence Secretary Wes Streeting noting that protecting the network of undersea cables is vital to keeping the country safe.
“Our adversaries are increasingly targeting our critical national infrastructure, including the cables that carry data and enable internet traffic and financial transactions. This is a very welcome step that could not only improve connectivity and boost our economy, especially in Scotland, but strengthen the UK’s national resilience, prevent disruption, and keep us all safe,” said Streeting.
Nick Gliddon (Business Director of VodafoneThree) said that reliable international connectivity is vital to the UK’s defence, strengthening our resilience to disruption and enhancing the security of the critical infrastructure on which our economy and public services depend.
“Norway is a strategically important partner, with a shared commitment to protecting infrastructure across the North Atlantic. A new digital corridor would strengthen the physical links between our countries, add vital route diversity and support secure, resilient connectivity for critical infrastructure on both sides of the North Sea.
“It could also unlock investment in data centres and AI, creating skilled jobs and wider economic opportunities. This study will help establish the economic and strategic case for the route and identify the partnerships needed to deliver it.”
