Salience Consulting wins landmark role in Chile – Antarctica submarine cable project
The government of Chile has appointed Dubai-based Salience Consulting and US-headquartered Pioneer Consulting to carry out a feasibility study for a proposed submarine fibre-optic cable linking South America to Antarctica.
The project, led by Chile’s Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel) with support from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), envisages a 1,000-kilometre cable between Puerto Williams, on the Beagle Channel, and King George Island in Antarctica.
Officials in Santiago say the initiative would position Chile as a digital gateway to the southernmost continent, improve regional connectivity, and support scientific research. At present, research stations in Antarctica rely almost entirely on satellite links, which are limited in capacity and vulnerable to weather conditions.
“Telecommunications and digitalisation are the driving forces of development in our country and in the entire region,” said Claudio Araya, Chile’s Undersecretary of Telecommunications. “This study will allow us to know if the conditions exist to carry out this project.”
Four bidders and one winner
Subtel launched the tender in January, drawing bids from four groups: Raylex-AMBEC, TMG-WFN, Deloitte, and the consortium of Salience Consulting and Pioneer Consulting. The latter two were selected after a competitive review process.
Salience Consulting, headquartered in Dubai, has advised on more than 100 digital infrastructure projects across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Pioneer Consulting, based in the United States, specialises in submarine fibre systems and has been involved in over 150 projects worldwide.
Both firms will examine the technical, legal, financial, and environmental aspects of the project, as well as demand from the scientific community, which plays a central role in climate change research and polar studies.
Middle East role in global connectivity
The appointment highlights the growing involvement of Middle Eastern firms in international digital infrastructure projects. Salience Consulting, founded 15 years ago, has advised governments and telecom operators across the Gulf and beyond, with experience ranging from national broadband programmes to subsea cables.
“The project is a direct reflection of Salience’s mission – to provide practical, results-driven recommendations and ensure that initiatives are financially viable and environmentally sustainable,” said Ivan Skenderoski, the firm’s managing partner.
A complex undertaking
The feasibility study, expected to conclude by April 2026, will need to address several challenges. These include identifying the most suitable route for the cable, assessing environmental impacts in a fragile ecosystem, and determining whether sufficient demand exists to justify the investment.
Chile’s existing Fibra Óptica Austral (FOA) network already connects to Puerto Williams, which could serve as a backbone for extending connectivity southwards. However, deploying subsea fibre through the icy waters of the Southern Ocean is a technically demanding task, with few precedents worldwide.
Broader implications
If built, the cable could provide high-speed connectivity to Antarctic research stations, enabling better access to cloud services, video conferencing, and data-sharing platforms. Scientists say this could accelerate studies on climate systems, ocean biodiversity, and polar ice dynamics.
While Antarctica does not belong to any one country, under the Antarctic Treaty many nations maintain scientific bases there. Improved digital links could strengthen cooperation between these international teams. Numerous countries actively contribute to Antarctic research, with the UAE recently joining through its Emirates Polar Program.
