by The Hon. Alexa Lightbourne, JP, MP
Minister of Home Affairs

In 2022, Bermuda took a bold and strategic step by partnering with Google to land its first transatlantic cable, Nuvem, connecting South Carolina to Portugal via Bermuda. That vision—championed by former Deputy Premier and Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Walter Roban—has now delivered even greater dividends.

A Second Cable, A Deeper Commitment

On July 9th, Google announced plans for a second transatlantic cable, Sole (Spanish for "sun"), which will run from Florida to Spain, again transiting through Bermuda and the Azores. It will become the only direct in-service fiber optic link between Florida and Europe, with Bermuda positioned at its centre.

Why Bermuda? Trust, Vision, and Readiness

This decision underscores Google’s confidence in Bermuda’s:

• Regulatory clarity

• Geographic advantage

• Technical and infrastructure readiness

Pending planning approvals, Google’s subsidiary will construct a landing station at Southside, St. David’s, capable of hosting up to four fiber optic cables. This cements Bermuda’s long-term role in global internet architecture.

A Gateway to Innovation

More than just infrastructure, this cable opens the door for:

• Expanded cloud capacity

• AI-powered data flows

• Boosted resilience in digital connectivity

Google also reaffirmed its partnership during a town hall in St. David’s, highlighting their commitment to local talent development, community engagement, and climate-positive innovation.

PLP’s Vision: Digital Action, Not Aspiration

Under the PLP’s leadership, Bermuda has transformed digital opportunity into action. Strategic policymaking and collaborative planning have secured our role as a key node in the global digital economy.

This isn’t a moment—it’s a movement.

We are not just keeping up with the world; we are connecting it—through Bermuda.