Perseus, Reliance Wrest Away Transatlantic Latency Crown

Perseus Telecom and Reliance Globalcom say they have teamed up to take the leading position in the transatlantic latency race away from Level 3’s AC-1 route, which had held the position for some time. The two have launched the QuanTA system, which leverages Flag Atlantic’s northern cable, the latest advances in optical technology, dispersion compensation methodology, and processing equipment, and of course shorter routes.

Now, as for those shorter routes, it’s not as if FA-1 itself got shorter. It’s surely the tail circuits on either end that were optimized, and there’s likely someone else behind the scenes here doing that since Reliance’s metro fiber buildout capabilities aren’t that extensive in the US or UK – Yipes notwithstanding.  My information says that it’s probably Sidera Networks that handled that side of things, helping to bring FA-1’s NYC-London latency down.  Sidera has one of the deepest NYC metro footprints out there and specializes in the financial vertical, which lends credence to the possibility.

Reliance is busy planning an IPO for its submarine cable division in Singapore in hopes of raising more than $1B for its debt reduction efforts.  Claiming the lowest latency route in the Atlantic certainly can’t hurt that effort.

One wonders if Level 3 might not have a followup enhancement to AC-1 in the wings.  Of course later next year Hibernia Atlantic’s brand new build should change the balance of power again regardless.

If you haven't already, please take our Reader Survey! Just 3 questions to help us better understand who is reading Telecom Ramblings so we can serve you better!

Categories: Low Latency · Undersea cables