Level 3 announces submarine cable investment to Colombia

Optical network services provider Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE: LVLT) says it will build a Pacific Ocean submarine cable network that will connect Colombia to the rest of Level 3’s worldwide network. Empresas Municipales de Cali (EMCALI), a state-owned utilities services company in Cali, Colombia, will partner with Level 3 for the terrestrial portion of the fiber-optic network.

The new undersea cable network will offer an alternative connection to Colombia’s traditional connectivity via the Caribbean Coast, says Level 3. It also will position Cali as a development hub for the region, despite being inland.

“Level 3 has been continually enhancing its network and services in Colombia to offer optimal solutions to our customers. This new Pacific subsea cable, in tandem with management from an experienced carrier such as EMCALI, should result in meaningful benefits for the country,” said Hector Alonso, regional president of Latin America for Level 3.

“Our collaboration with Level 3 on this project fits perfectly into our strategic regional plan and focuses resources on each company’s core business. Additionally, the importance of the U.S.-Colombia FTA (Free Trade Agreement) and the Pacific Alliance make EMCALI the ideal partner to join with Level 3 on this project, highlighting EMCALI as a leader in providing telecommunications services for the region and countrywide,” added Oscar Pardo, managing director of Emcali.

EMCALI will use capacity over Level 3’s submarine network to connect the country directly from Cali to major cities in the Americas, such as, New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo. The new route also provides connectivity to cities in Asia and Europe. Level 3 expects the new network also will play a role in other telecommunications initiatives, such as the Vive Digital Program, which will enable Colombia to increase the number of Internet connections through its Fiber National Project fourfold.

“We are proud to work with two major telecommunications companies to invest in the continued growth of the Colombian Pacific region and enhance the communications services for our people. We are confident that this project will increasingly benefit the industrial development of our cities, the country and the region as a whole,” added Rodrigo Guerrero, Mayor of Cali.

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