Brazil Completes 45% of Amazon River Fiber Optic Network Under Norte Conectado Program
Brazil marks 45% completion of the Norte Conectado Program, installing 13,200 km of fiber optic along Amazon rivers to improve Northern states' internet access by 2028.
- • Brazil has completed 45% of the Norte Conectado Program.
- • The project will install 13,200 kilometers of fiber optic cables along Amazon rivers.
- • Five out of nine planned infovias have already been delivered, serving 70 locations.
- • The program aims for full completion by 2028, including mini data centers and a potential new international data route.
Key details
Brazil has reached a major milestone in advancing the Norte Conectado Program, completing 45% of the largest riverine fiber optic network in the Amazon. The ambitious initiative aims to lay 13,200 kilometers of fiber optic cable along the Amazon rivers, enhancing internet connectivity across the Northern states. To date, five of the nine planned infovias (data corridors) have been delivered, bringing high-speed internet access to 70 locations in the region.
The program's remaining phases are currently underway, with an expected completion date set for 2028. Delays encountered due to Amazon drought conditions have been addressed, and work continues to integrate additional infrastructure elements. Among these are mini data centers designed to localize data processing and storage, bolstering network efficiency and resilience.
Beyond local connectivity improvements, the project has broader strategic implications. It has the potential to establish a new international data route via the Pacific Ocean, which would create enhanced connectivity security and diversify Brazil’s internet traffic pathways.
This progressive expansion aims to transform digital infrastructure and inclusion in the Amazon basin, a region traditionally underserved by broadband networks. The Norte Conectado Program represents a critical step toward bridging the digital divide by leveraging the extensive waterways for fiber optic deployment, which is logistically more viable than traditional terrestrial cabling through dense rainforest.
As the project advances, it is poised not only to uplift the Northern states’ technological landscape but also to position Brazil as a regional hub for secure and diversified data transmission. Completion by 2028 will mark a significant achievement in nationwide connectivity enhancement and regional development.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
