Jamaica Pursues Strategic Link to TAM-1 Subsea Cable to Boost Digital Resilience
February 5, 2026
The Jamaican government has taken a significant step to modernize its national digital backbone and reduce connectivity vulnerabilities by seeking to become a landing point for a major new subsea cable system. This move underscores the critical role of robust, high-capacity international bandwidth in driving economic growth and national resilience for island nations in an increasingly digital global economy. This week, the government signed a non-binding letter of intent with digital infrastructure provider Trans Americas Fiber System (TAFS). The agreement outlines plans to construct a dedicated spur connecting Jamaica to the under-development Trans Americas Mesh 1 (TAM-1) cable network. The proposed link would deliver a fiber pair capable of providing up to 20 terabits per second (Tbps) of additional capacity to the island. The TAM-1 system itself, first announced in 2023, is a 7,000-kilometer (4,349-mile) cable with a total design capacity of 650 Tbps. It is set to connect Florida with multiple landing points across Central America and the Caribbean, passing approximately 220 kilometers south of Jamaica.
A final agreement is anticipated later this year, with construction of the Jamaican branch slated for the fourth quarter of 2026. If timelines hold, the new connectivity could be fully operational by the third quarter of 2027. This project would provide Jamaica with its second direct cable connection to the United States, complementing the aging Colombia-Florida Express (CFX-1) cable from 2008. While Jamaica is currently the landing point for six submarine cables, most connect to nearby islands and several are nearing the end of their operational lifespans. In a statement, Jamaican Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness framed the initiative as a foundational investment for the nation's future. "This is not simply another infrastructure project. It is a strategic intervention in preparing our people to succeed in a modern, technologically driven world," Holness said. He noted that recent damage from Hurricane Melissa had reinforced the imperative for resilient infrastructure, stating the country was "using this moment as an opportunity to make strategic investments."
For the wider Caribbean and Latin American region, Jamaica's integration into the TAM-1 mesh enhances the overall network diversity and redundancy. It positions Jamaica as a more competitive hub for digital services and data-intensive industries. The development aligns with TAFS's broader strategy, which includes potential plans for a future TAM-2 cable system to further connect South American nations.
Source: datacenterdynamics
