The European Union plans to create the first subsea internet cable directly connecting Europe to Greenland, a project that could eventually extend to Canada and link with Japan and South Korea while notably bypassing the United States. The Pan-Arctic Cable is described as an EU flagship project in a European Commission joint communication published on October 20, 2026, that outlines a new European strategy for the Arctic.
According to the policy document, which describes a new European strategy for the Arctic, the strategy supports “a sovereign, secure and resilient submarine cable connection linking Greenland directly to the EU.” It also suggests that “like-minded partners like Canada” could provide a stepping stone for future cable expansion toward Asia.
Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who leads the Threats to the Global Maritime Order Initiative, told Ars: “It is interesting that this project is even being considered, because five years ago it would have seemed like not a particularly commercially attractive proposition,” she said. “But the fact that it's being considered is very much on trend and a sign of our times.”
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The cable would reduce Europe's reliance on data routes that pass through the United States, strengthening digital sovereignty.
- It could reshape Arctic geopolitics by creating new infrastructure ties between Europe, Greenland, Canada, and Asia.
- The project signals a strategic shift toward diversifying undersea cable routes amid rising US-EU tensions.
Background
Subsea cables carry the vast majority of global internet traffic and are often owned or controlled by a small number of countries and companies. The Arctic has become a region of growing strategic interest due to melting ice and new shipping routes, and Europe has been seeking to reduce dependence on US-controlled data pathways. This project is the first direct cable link between Europe and Greenland.
Key Perspectives
- European Union: The Pan-Arctic Cable is a flagship project of its new Arctic strategy, aimed at creating a “sovereign, secure and resilient” connection directly linking Greenland to the EU, with possible extensions to Canada and Asia.
- Elisabeth Braw (Atlantic Council): Says the project is interesting because five years ago it would not have been commercially attractive, but now it reflects the changing geopolitical climate and a “sign of our times.”
What to Watch
- Whether Canada and other like-minded partners formally join the project to extend the cable toward Asia.
- The timeline for construction and completion, as well as any US reaction to being bypassed.
- How the cable fits into broader EU efforts to secure critical digital infrastructure in the Arctic region.
Checked
8 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe EU plans the first subsea internet cable directly connecting Europe to Greenland, bypassing the United States.Ars Technica - All content: “The European Union plans to create the first subsea Internet cable directly connecting Europe to Greenland. The Pan-Arctic Cable project could also extend to Canada and eventually link with Japan and South Korea, notably bypassing the United States.”
- SupportedThe Pan-Arctic Cable could extend to Canada and link with Japan and South Korea as part of a new Arctic strategy.Ars Technica - All content: “The Pan-Arctic Cable project could also extend to Canada and eventually link with Japan and South Korea, notably bypassing the United States. The Pan-Arctic Cable is described as a European Union flagship project in a European Commission joint communication published on October 20, 2026.”
- SupportedThe Pan-Arctic Cable is described as an EU flagship project in a European Commission joint communication published October 20, 2026.Ars Technica - All content: “The Pan-Arctic Cable is described as a European Union flagship project in a European Commission joint communication published on October 20, 2026.”
- SupportedThe policy document describes a new European Arctic strategy that supports a submarine cable connection linking Greenland directly to the EU, described as “a sovereign, secure and resilient”.Ars Technica - All content: “The policy document describes a new European strategy for the Arctic that supports “a sovereign, secure and resilient submarine cable connection linking Greenland directly to the EU,””
- SupportedThe policy document suggests that “like-minded partners like Canada” could be a stepping stone for future cable expansion toward Asia.Ars Technica - All content: “while also suggesting that “like-minded partners like Canada” could provide a stepping stone for future cable expansion toward Asia.”
- SupportedElisabeth Braw is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and leads the Threats to the Global Maritime Order Initiative.Ars Technica - All content: “Elisabeth Braw , a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who leads the Threats to the Global Maritime Order Initiative, told Ars.”
- SupportedBraw told Ars: “It is interesting that this project is even being considered, because five years ago it would have seemed like not a particularly commercially attractive proposition.”Ars Technica - All content: ““It is interesting that this project is even being considered, because five years ago it would have seemed like not a particularly commercially attractive proposition,” Elisabeth Braw , a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who leads the Threats to the Global Maritime Order Initiative, told Ars.”
- SupportedBraw said: “But the fact that it's being considered is very much on trend and a sign of our times.”Ars Technica - All content: ““But the fact that it's being considered is very much on trend and a sign of our times.””