Norwegian firm pitches new undersea cable which will bypass the US entirely — 2,800-mile link aims to connect Europe and Canada

Canada is seeking a new undersea cable to bypass the United States for data transmission. Norwegian firm Bulk proposes a 2,800-mile transatlantic connection linking Norway, Newfoundland, and Labrador before continuing through Canada. The Leif Erikson project aims to cost over $620 million and would provide high-capacity data transfers for AI, telecommunications, and computing operations.

Bulk's co-founder, Peder Nærbø, envisions a Canadian sovereign communications network offering direct access to European infrastructure. However, securing Canadian majority ownership, regulatory approvals, and European coordination remains challenging. The project, in its fifth year of development, has installed over 6,200 miles of cable globally.

While Canada has limited international submarine cable connections outside the US, none are owned by a Canadian company. The Canadian government prioritizes infrastructure security and resilience, but the project still requires approval before construction can begin.