Tamtam SMART Cable System with Seismic and Tsunami Sensors Approved for 2026 Deployment
The Tamtam submarine cable system, supported by the European Investment Bank, has advanced through appraisal for a 2026 deployment. The system will include a SMART (Science Monitoring And Reliable Telecommunications) subsystem with sensors for monitoring seismic activity, detecting tsunamis, and enabling long-term ocean monitoring .
Project Specifications:
International segment: 411 km linking Vanuatu to New Caledonia
Domestic segment: 525 km connecting the islands of Tanna, Espiritu Santo, and Malekula
SMART sensors: Continuous real-time monitoring of seismic activity, tsunami propagation, ocean temperature, water pressure, sea levels, and other oceanographic parameters
Strategic Significance:
The project aims to enhance telecommunications resilience and capacity in Vanuatu while supporting disaster preparedness and risk mitigation in the active New Hebrides trench and subduction zone between Vanuatu and New Caledonia . The government of Vanuatu will secure 100 Gbps capacity for e-government services over the system's lifetime.
