Wired Across the Caspian: The Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable and the Future of Digital Connectivity

The Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Cable is the first cable ever laid across the Caspian Sea. With the undersea section completed in August and commercial service expected this fall, the cable opens a new high-capacity data route linking Central Asia to Europe through the South Caucasus. It adds route diversity and resilience to a region whose international connectivity has long depended on a narrow set of paths. The project arrives as governments across Central Asia and the South Caucasus pursue ambitious AI and digital infrastructure agendas, and as global demand for subsea capacity reaches unprecedented levels. 

The Caspian Policy Center is delighted to host the companies behind the cable, together with U.S. government and industry experts, to discuss how the project was built and what it means for the region. The panel will examine the engineering and logistical challenges of the first Caspian crossing, the role of trusted infrastructure in attracting hyperscalers and data center investment, and the opportunities for U.S. partnership in the region’s growing digital economy.