This new stage of the project, which brings the cable ashore, represents one of the most technically complex phases of the system’s deployment. After being transported to the coastline by the specialized cable-laying vessel, the cable will be guided to the beach using a system of flotation buoys. From there, tractors will pull the cable through a previously prepared trench, where it will be connected to the Balneário Pinhal Cable Landing Station (CLS), integrating the submarine infrastructure with the terrestrial network extending to Porto Alegre.
Along the first few kilometers closest to the shore, the cable will be installed using reinforced protection methods to ensure a high level of resilience against both natural and human-related risks. Following industry best practices, the cable will then be laid directly on the seabed, extending the existing Malbec Cable System to its current connection point located approximately 300 kilometers off the coast of Rio Grande do Sul.
“The arrival of the cable onshore represents a major milestone in the deployment of a project that will take Porto Alegre to a new level of connectivity and digitalization. This operation requires careful planning, precision, and close coordination between teams working on land and at sea to deploy infrastructure designed to operate for decades while enabling the transmission of large volumes of data with low latency. We are building a new international route prepared to support the growing demand for connectivity, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence across Southern Brazil and neighboring countries,” said Felipe Campos, CEO of V.tal.
The new Malbec extension in Rio Grande do Sul will strengthen connectivity across the state and support the development of high-capacity applications throughout the Southern Cone, including artificial intelligence, cloud services, digital platforms, and content delivery. The new route will also increase the resilience of the region’s digital infrastructure by providing an alternative to the international routes currently concentrated in Southeastern Brazil.
“Malbec’s arrival in Southern Brazil demonstrates Meta’s commitment to the country’s digital future. By bringing the first direct international submarine cable to Rio Grande do Sul, we are creating a new connectivity hub and opening a new chapter for digital development across Brazil and the Southern Cone. Routes such as Malbec build resilient, high-capacity infrastructure that expands business opportunities, attracts investment, and drives economic growth—the foundation that will support innovation and inclusion for decades to come,” said Ana Luiza Valadares, Director of Public Policy for Connectivity and AI Infrastructure for Latin America at Meta.
In parallel with the submarine deployment, V.tal is also advancing the construction of the terrestrial infrastructure linking Balneário Pinhal to Porto Alegre. The network architecture has been designed with operational redundancy, allowing traffic to be automatically rerouted should one of the routes experience an interruption.
Following completion of the physical installation, the Malbec Cable System will undergo a comprehensive testing and validation process, including route inspections using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), as well as optical, electrical, and communications testing between the connected stations. The subsea equipment includes reconfigurable modules and has been designed for an operational lifespan of approximately 25 years, ensuring high availability and reliability for the region’s international data infrastructure.
Built with Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) technology, the system will provide up to 20 Tbps per fiber pair and support circuits of up to 800 Gbps between Porto Alegre, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo. Once operational, the new route will strengthen digital integration among Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, positioning Porto Alegre as a new strategic hub for international connectivity infrastructure in South America.
