Data Storage is a fast growing industry and Iceland does offer what this industry needs: Security in a technologically advanced society, with a sound infrastructure, an educated work force and political stability. Cost-competitive and reliable green energy. A temperate climate and abundant, inexpensive cold water to further lower the energy cost. Available land and secure housing at competitive prices. And last but not least, secure connections to the world’s information hubs.

This interactive network map on the Farice website gives you an overview of the current data connections Iceland has. Iceland´s main connections are currently via the Cantat-3, 2.5Gbps Transatlantic cable system, put in service in 1994, and the Farice-1, 720Gbps submarine fiber optic cable with termination points in Reykjavik, Torshavn on the Faroe Islands and Edinburgh, put in service in 2004. A secondary route between the Farice landing station at Dunnet Bay in North Scotland and Farice’s Point of Presence became operational in 2006 enabling full redundancy for the UK backhaul section between Inverness and London.

Farice-2 operational late 2008

In order to secure the future connections and competitive status of Iceland by eliminating “down time” a second Farice cable between Iceland and Europe is expected to be operational late 2008. The route or landing point in Europe has not yet been decided but the submarine cable route survey is currently in tender on the European Economic Area.

The Invest in Iceland Agency, together with all the relevant companies in the information and energy sectors, is preparing a benchmarking study to compare Iceland´s possibilities in Data Hosting to best practices.

www.invest.is