VodafoneThree Weighs £8.2bn UK-Norway Subsea Cable Route

VodafoneThree says a proposed subsea cable linking the UK and Norway could deliver £8.2 billion ($10.84bn) in economic value over the next decade. The operator announced this week that it will run a feasibility study on the route, expected to begin in summer next year.

The potential link would run from mainland Scotland to Shetland, then onward to Norway. Initial research by WPI Research, commissioned by Vodafone Business, produced the £8.2bn figure. VodafoneThree says the route would also support defense connectivity, improve the security of critical digital infrastructure, and strengthen overall resilience.

The study will examine how greater international connectivity could support businesses, public services and data centers. It will identify potential routes from Shetland to Norway, plus possible landing points and delivery partners in the Bergen region.

Why now?

The plan arrives amid growing concern about subsea infrastructure. Cable systems in the North Sea and beyond have faced damage and suspected sabotage in recent years. Defense Secretary Wes Streeting MP framed the project in those terms.

"Protecting our network of undersea cables is vital to keeping our country safe. Our adversaries are increasingly targeting our critical national infrastructure, including the cables that carry data and enable internet traffic and financial transactions," Streeting said.

He called the study "a very welcome step" that could improve connectivity, boost the economy especially in Scotland, strengthen UK national resilience and prevent disruption.

What does this change for the North Sea corridor?

Nick Gliddon, business director at VodafoneThree, described Norway as a "strategically important partner" for the UK. He set out the case for the link in detail.

"A new digital corridor would strengthen the physical links between our countries, add vital route diversity and support secure, resilient connectivity for critical infrastructure on both sides of the North Sea," Gliddon said. "It could also unlock investment in data centers and AI, creating skilled jobs and wider economic opportunities. This study will help establish the economic and strategic case for the route and identify the partnerships needed to deliver it."

According to VodafoneThree, the extension to Norway would also:

• Improve connectivity for island communities
• Add resilience for Shetland Spaceport and other strategically important sites
• Support future economic opportunities, including potential data center development

A pattern of network investment

VodafoneThree already holds capacity on more than 70 subsea cable systems across 100 countries. The company first announced plans to explore a Scotland-to-Shetland cable last year. The Norway extension builds on that earlier work.

The project sits within a wider spending program. The telco committed to invest £11bn ($14.55bn) in upgrading and expanding its UK network following the completion of its merger last year.

The feasibility study will determine whether the economic and strategic case holds. Its findings will shape route selection, landing points and the partnerships needed to build the link.