Ciena Upgrade Supports Space Norway Arctic Way Cable

Publication Staff, Ciena
October 13, 2026

Space Norway has awarded Ciena a direct turnkey contract to modernize the optical network supporting its Svalbard communications links and equip the planned Arctic Way submarine cable. Announced by Ciena on October 13, 2026, the scope covers end-to-end design and deployment across the operating infrastructure and the new project. Space Norway says a common optical platform will extend the useful life of the current links while giving Arctic Way the same technology base when it enters service.

Ciena will supply its 6500 optical platform, WaveLogic 6 Extreme transponders, Spectrum Sharing capabilities and the Navigator Network Control Suite. The release assigns Navigator visibility, control and operational-redundancy functions, while the shared platform is intended to improve performance consistency and operating-cost efficiency. The contract therefore combines optical transmission equipment, network management and integration rather than a standalone equipment purchase, giving Space Norway one technical framework for the infrastructure in service and the planned Arctic Way deployment.

The planned Arctic Way geography runs from Norway’s mainland through Jan Mayen to Svalbard. Ciena describes the project as the northernmost submarine cable system in the world and expects service to start in 2028. Together, the older routes and the new system will support Arctic research, scientific, government, and national-security communications. The subsea network will also complement Space Norway’s satellite infrastructure, adding path diversity. The announcement therefore places the optical work within a broader communications requirement spanning both cable and satellite infrastructure, rather than presenting Arctic Way solely as a standalone cable project.

For submarine cable owners, the award shows how a new build can be engineered alongside an upgrade to existing infrastructure instead of as an isolated deployment. A shared optical and management layer can simplify operations while adding a geographically distinct path to high-latitude communities and facilities. The confirmed current status is the award of Ciena’s turnkey scope. The release does not provide installation dates, capacity, cable-pair counts or contract value. The next confirmed project marker remains Arctic Way’s expected start of service in 2028.

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