Vodafone Group and Vodafone Ukraine are set to soon begin construction of a new high-capacity submarine cable system in the Black Sea, which will create a modern digital corridor between Europe and Asia.
The Kardesa submarine cable system plans to have landing points in Bulgaria, Georgia, Turkey and Ukraine, increasing the diversity of digital routes through the region. Kardesa will improve internet reliability and speed for customers in the countries where it lands and spur inward investment into their digital economies.
The first cable landing – in Bulgaria – will be in 2027, followed by landings in Turkey, Georgia and Ukraine. Work in Ukraine will take place only in internationally recognised safe zones.
Xtera has been contracted to manage and deliver the project, which will cost over €100 million to fully build and install.
The Kardesa cable system will add over 500 terabits per second of internet capacity through the Black Sea region. The demand globally for new internet traffic routes is growing exponentially: there are 5.8 billion mobile users worldwide, 80% of whom own smartphones.
The number of mobile users is expected to grow by 12% by 2030 and the growing usage of 5G, AI, streaming services and the Internet of Things will further increase the demand for internet capacity. Submarine cable systems are estimated to carry 97%-98% of international internet traffic3, and every new route is critical to the digital economy.
Vodafone Ukraine is a leading telecommunications company that provides high-speed 4G Internet services and fixed broadband services. Vodafone Ukraine’s investments during the active construction of high-speed Internet networks in 2015 – 1H 2025 amounted to 52 billion UAH.
The record investments have ensured the technological leadership and the development of new technological services – Internet of Things, technologies and solutions for Smart City, big data analytics, AI-based solutions and cloud services. Vodafone Ukraine has 15.4 m customers in Ukraine. Since December 2019, Vodafone Ukraine is part of NEQSOL Holding.
Xtera delivers high-capacity subsea solutions on a turnkey basis. With deep project management expertise, system integration capability, and agile collaboration with industry partners, Xtera is trusted to design, build, and commission advanced submarine cable systems. Deployed in over 60 countries, Xtera combines technical rigor with flexibility to bring optimal results to customers.
