Vodafone connects Crete to the India-Europe-Xpress cable system

Vodafone Greece has connected Crete to the India-Europe-Xpress (IEX) subsea cable system. Subsea cables stretch across the ocean and lie thousands of meters below the sea surface transferring 95% of the world’s international data traffic.

Vodafone has landed the India-Europe-Xpress (IEX) cable in Tympaki Crete offering an alternative path of connectivity. The cable is situated at a new cable landing station in the South of the island, away from northern Crete where most subsea cables in the Mediterranean have been concentrated so far. Vodafone are continuing to expand their 2Africa subsea cable system – which runs between Africa, Asia, and Europe.

The new subsea cable landing station will also provide increased capacity and resilience to the island's infrastructure. The landing station will be accessible for other projects and providers. This will expand Crete’s connection to various global locations and also attract investments to the region.

Extensive reach of the IEX system

The IEX system, which is nearly 10,000 kilometres long, is part of a larger intercontinental project that also includes the India-Asia-Xpress (IAX) system.

The IEX connects Mumbai to Europe and extends east to Singapore through IAX. It also reaches the Middle East and Africa, with landings in Oman, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, as well as in France, Italy, and Greece.

Vodafone’s expertise in subsea systems dates back to the landing of its first telegraph cable in Porthcurno, Cornwall in 1870.

The company continues to be one of the largest investors in subsea cable systems – currently with capacity on around 80 systems that reach 100 countries. These include the ongoing 2Africa cable project, for which Vodafone has been the partner for 11 landings to date, including in the UK, Portugal and South Africa.