Key facts
- The EU plans the first subsea Internet cable directly connecting Europe to Greenland.
- The Pan-Arctic Cable project could extend to Canada and link with Japan and South Korea.
- The project aims to bypass the United States for connectivity between Europe and Asia.
- The EU has invested $119 million (107 million euros) in Greenland's connectivity and the cable plan.
- The EU will establish an Arctic Cable Hub to monitor and protect submarine cables.
The European Union is planning the Pan-Arctic Cable, its first subsea Internet cable directly connecting Europe to Greenland, with potential extensions to Canada, Japan, and South Korea. This initiative, described as a European Union flagship project, aims to establish a sovereign and secure connectivity route, notably bypassing the United States. The project has gained support following a trilateral security agreement between the US, Greenland, and Denmark in September 2026, which preserved Greenland's autonomy while expanding US military access. Relations between the US and European allies have reportedly become strained due to trade disputes and differing stances on the war in Ukraine. Europe is also seeking new cable routes to Asia due to increased risks in the Red Sea, where Houthi forces have targeted commercial shipping. The Pan-Arctic Cable project, which began development in 2025, has received $119 million (107 million euros) in EU funding. The EU plans to establish an Arctic Cable Hub to monitor and protect submarine cables.