CYTA, MedNautilus to build submersible ring to Cyprus

The Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA) and Mediterranean Nautilus Ltd, have signed an agreement for the construction of a new undersea communications ring from Cyprus to Sicily, with the name “Minerva System”.

The Minerva System will introduce a ring to Cyprus by adding a branching unit and a new segment to the MedNautilus main system in addition to the upgrading of the existing cable to Cyprus.

It will use a dedicated express fibre pair along the ring with 10 Gb/s DWDM wavelengths and will connect Cyprus and Italy on a dedicated direct link bypassing Turkey, Greece and Israel. From Sicily to Europe the Minerva will be connected to the MedNautilus Pan European network, a CYTA statement said.

Minerva will be ready for service during the third quarter of 2007 with the first phase ready for service during the second quarter of 2007.

Nikos Timotheou, CYTA CEO, said that “with the construction of Minerva, CYTA’s East Mediterranean hub will be further enhanced, enabling it to provide reliable telecommunications connectivity at competitive prices, to serve the island’s requirements as well as those of neighbouring countries.”

Stefano Mazzitelli, MedNautilus Chairman and Telecom Italia Sparkle CEO, expressed hope that with the new topology, “CYTA will be able to provide our services also to neighbouring countries.”
Francesco Nanotti, MedNautilus CEO, added that “Minerva is part of our expansion plan in the Eastern Mediterranean and we hope to introduce services to other countries in the region within 2007.”