Google’s new submarine cable, Firmina, connecting the United States to South America, has officially reached Uruguay and is expected to arrive in Brazil later this year.
Named after Firmina dos Reis, the first female novelist in Brazil, the cable extends from the east coast of the United States through the Caribbean and has two branches leading to Las Toninas beach near Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Praia Grande in São Paulo’s coast, which is still under construction.
Upon completion, Firmina will become the longest submarine cable to transmit a signal without any boost, relying on a single power source at one end.
It comprises 12 pairs of optical fiber and is produced and installed by SubCom, joining other cables that connect Brazil internationally.
Google also uses two other cables, Tannat and Monet, which have increased Brazil’s international traffic capacity by 50%.
The company is also part of the Junior cable connecting Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo.
Firmina’s usage will be open to others, and according to Google, it will reduce Brazilian internet latency by 4.7% and IP transit costs by 17%, as well as increase available bandwidth per user by 37% by 2027.
According to a study by Analysys Mason, the investment will stimulate businesses estimated at over US$124 billion.