Trans Americas Fiber System Deploys Ciena High-Capacity Optical Technology on TAM-1 Submarine Cable

Strategic Partners Collaborate to Renew Connectivity Across the Americas.

Florida, U.S. – January 29, 2024 – Trans Americas Fiber System, a key player in advancing digital infrastructure across Latin America and the Caribbean, is pleased to announce commencement of the final part of the marine survey activities covering the northern route of the Trans Americas-1 (TAM-1) submarine cable system.

Survey operations by Fugro NV, initiated under an agreement which concluded in September 2023, mark a crucial step in the realization of TAM-1 as a game-changer in digital infrastructure for the Trans Americas region.

The marine survey will focus on the northern route of the TAM-1 cable and is set to leverage Fugro NV’s cutting-edge technology and expertise using the survey vessel Fugro Gauss. The vessel started its transatlantic mobilization transit on December 20th. Survey operations have now commenced, beginning in the US and progressing southwards through Mexico, Belize, and Honduras. The duration of the survey is estimated to be approximately 70 days, excluding mobilization and demobilization transits.

Fugro NV, renowned as the world’s leading Geo-data specialist, will play a pivotal role in collecting and analyzing comprehensive information about the route, enabling a robust TAM-1 system design.

Malte Cesson, Commercial Manager of Fugro NV, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We are honored to be part of this ground breaking project with Trans Americas Fiber System. Our advanced survey capabilities and cutting-edge technology will ensure the success of the TAM-1 cable system, contributing to the transformation of digital connectivity in the Americas.”

Fugro NV Gauss survey vessel

Trans Americas Fiber System, the visionary force behind TAM-1, envisions more than just a cable system. The company is creating a catalyst for change, bridging the connectivity gap, promoting economic growth, and positioning Latin America and the Caribbean at the forefront of the digital era. The highly experienced leadership team are building a state-of-the-art subsea network that will be best-in-class across the Americas region and beyond, delivering high connectivity and low latency solutions. TAM-1, the first scalable neutral system connecting Central America and the Caribbean to the US for decades, will be supplied by Xtera and is anticipated to be Ready for Service in 2025.

Julio Bran, CEO of Trans Americas Fiber System, shared his perspective on the projects, saying, “At Trans Americas Fiber System, we partner with the best to get results on time and with the highest quality.  TAM-1 is a testament to our commitment to shaping the future of connectivity of the region. This collaborative effort with Fugro NV reinforces our vision of creating a robust and transformative digital landscape across The Americas.”

As the TAM-1 submarine cable project progresses, Fugro NV’s survey expertise and Trans Americas Fiber System’s visionary approach are set to reshape the digital landscape of the Trans Americas region. The collaboration signifies a significant stride towards a more connected and technologically advanced future for Latin America and the Caribbean.

About Trans Americas Fiber System

Trans Americas Fiber System is the creator of a fluid, scalable and dynamic fiber network revolutionizing the way operators buy and utilize bandwidth, connecting markets like never before. Led by a highly experienced team, Trans Americas Fiber System is building a state-of-the-art subsea network that will be best-in-class across the Americas region and beyond, delivering high connectivity and low latency solutions.

TAM-1 will be the first scalable neutral system connecting Central America and the Caribbean to the US for decades. The system will be Ready for Service in 2025, to learn more please visit transamericasfiber.com.  Contact info@transamericasfiber.com for further information about capacity solutions and services.

MIAMI, Fla. and HANOVER, Md. –October 21, 2025 –Trans Americas Fiber System (TAFS) is transforming digital infrastructure across the Americas with its new TAM-1 subsea cable system, a next-generation network designed to deliver unprecedented capacity, scalability, and resiliency to the region. TAM-1 will be the first scalable, neutral fiber system built in decades to connect Central America and the Caribbean directly to the U.S., with landing points in Mexico, Colombia, and key markets across the region.

TAM-1 is designed with a total system capacity of more than 650 Tbps across 24 fiber pairs southbound and 12 northbound. To bring this design to life, TAFS is working with leading technology providers and has selected Ciena’s (NYSE: CIEN), high-capacity optical solutions — including GeoMesh Extreme powered by WaveLogic 6 Extreme and the 6500 Reconfigurable Line System (RLS) — to light portions of its cable system. This open architecture supports spectrum sharing and fluid scalability, allowing operators to expand seamlessly as demand for connectivity accelerates.

“At TAFS, we are leading a new generation of fluid connectivity for the Americas, one that redefines how networks are built, accessed, and scaled,” said Julio Bran, CEO of TAFS. “As we pursue this vision, we are choosing Ciena  — not only for their technology, but for their alignment with our mission to deliver flexible, efficient, and future-ready digital infrastructure. TAM-1 is designed to disrupt the status quo, and together we are setting a new standard for connectivity in the region.”

The 7,200 km TAM-1 system features two diverse subsea routes, enhancing resiliency while enabling low-latency connectivity for critical applications. With its programmable and automated design, TAM-1 is purpose-built to support the bandwidth needs of AI, cloud, 5G, edge computing, streaming, and enterprise services — representing a massive leap forward compared to legacy systems currently operating in the region.

“Trans Americas Fiber System’s TAM-1 cable system is designed to provide seamless and reliable connectivity across the trans-Americas region,” said Thomas Soerensen, Vice President of Global Submarine Solutions, Ciena. “Leveraging Ciena’s GeoMesh solution and optical networking expertise, TAM-1 will be poised to power the region’s surging bandwidth demands driven by cloud, video streaming, AI and more.”

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About Trans Americas Fiber System

Trans Americas Fiber System is building the most dynamic, neutral, and future-ready subsea fiber network in the Americas, delivering scalable, open-access connectivity across the U.S., Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and the Caribbean. With TAM-1, TAFS is revolutionizing how operators buy and utilize bandwidth through a fluid and scalable architecture that delivers unparalleled connectivity and low latency solutions.

The northern route of TAM-1 will be Ready for Service (RFS) in Q4 2025, followed by the southern route in Q1 2026. To learn more, visit www.transamericasfiber.com or contact info@transamericasfiber.com for information about capacity solutions and services.

About Ciena

Ciena (NYSE:CIEN) is the global leader in high-speed connectivity. We build the world’s most adaptive networks to support exponential growth in bandwidth demand. By harnessing the power of our networking systems, components, automation software, and services, Ciena revolutionizes data transmission and network management. With unparalleled expertise and innovation, we empower our customers, partners, and communities to thrive in the AI era. For updates on Ciena, follow us on LinkedIn and X, or visit the Ciena Insights webpage and Ciena website.