Murmansk – a communication hub
A new fiber-optic cable has been stretched from the Republic of Karelia to Murmansk, thus significantly strengthening communications in the Russian Arctic city. At the same time, authorities in northern Norway negotiate over a possible cable link also to Norway.
“Murmansk is a strategic important region both for us and for the country as a whole, deputy leader of Rostelecom”, Stanislav Mirov says to Regnum. The company has now completed the laying of a 1063 km long high-speed fiber cable from Petrozavodsk (Republic of Karelia) to Murmansk. The new cable has a 12,5 gigabyte capacity.
The high-speed cable in Murmansk is of interest also for neighboring Norway. The possible extension of the cable across the border to Norway, was discussed in a meeting between Murmansk Governor Dmitry Dmitriyenko and Finnmark County leader Runar Sjåstad last week.
In the meeting, a memorandum of understanding was signed by the parts, opening up for further studies of the project, a press release from the Murmansk administration informs.
While the Russians have laid broadband cables to the border town of Nikel, the Norwegians have cables stretched to Kirkenes. As BarentsObserver earlier reported, regional colleges, hospitals and business now welcome the cross-border cable plans.
Leader of the Finnmark County’s business development department, Tore Gundersen, says to BarentsObserver that the MOU with Murmansk signals an interest in a cross-border broadband connection from Nikel to Kirkenes. The connection will strengthen connections between the regions, he underlines.
