Alcatel Submarine Networks: Greenwich's Global Leader

Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) based in Greenwich is a global leader with over 850,000 km of optical submarine cable systems laid across the world, nearly 21 times the Earth’s circumference. Serving telecoms, webscale providers, and offshore industries, ASN delivers bespoke turnkey undersea transmission solutions, supported by comprehensive project management, installation, and maintenance services. Its dedicated fleet of cable ships ensures reliable and efficient marine operations worldwide.

The French state, represented by the Agence des participations de l’Etat (APE), has acquired 80% share ownership from Nokia, securing ASN as critical suppliers in a unique and globally competitive market.

ASN continues to maintain its position as market leader and continues benefiting from the growth of the subsea cables market, as the demand for, and importance of, subsea cables has increased.

No matter where you are in the world, if you are using a device connected to the internet, there is a high probability that you are using something that is made in Greenwich!

As ASN enters this new chapter of ownership, the Greenwich site continues to be of high importance for the future, with a strong forecast ahead. The anticipated rise in demand for these subsea systems calls for us to increase our sites operational footprint. To support this, ASN have taken a long-term lease of the former Meantime brewery site (Lawrence Trading Estate). The ongoing redevelopment of that site will occur in over the next few years.

We are proud of the rich history that the Greenwich site shares for communication innovation from manufacturing the first transatlantic cable in 1858 to our global activities today. We are continuously investing and focused on the future, specifically new technologies that will help scientists combat climate change and enable carbon capture amongst other additions to our product portfolio.

On 9th October, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport added the Submarine Telephone Hauler and Gantry at Enderby’s Wharf to the Schedule of Monuments. We join the over 19,000 on the National Heritage List for England, which includes Stonehenge, Tower of London and Greenwich Observatory.

We are proud to attain this status, which serves as a reminder of the history of telecoms in Greenwich during the late 19th century. This site is a steel gantry and cable hauler situated on the jetty at Enderby’s Wharf, used for loading submarine telephone cables onto cablelaying ships moored in the River Thames. The gantry dates from between 1897 and 1907, while the cable hauler was installed in 1954 specifically to assist in the loading of TAT-1, the first successful transatlantic telephone cable, which went into operation in 1956.

In support of World Engineering Day 2025 (an International Day proclaimed by UNESCO), we produced a video with a specific focus on our Greenwich site. This year’s theme is “Shaping our sustainable future through engineering”, highlighting the essential role that engineers, and engineering have in achieving the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

ASN are committed to sustainability and ensuring that, environmentally, we are responsibly installing cables and collaborating with suppliers to protect ocean ecosystems. This is in line with the

UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

ASN also recognise our significance the local/regional ecosystems and to that extent we work closely with the South East Chamber of Commerce to advance and accelerate innovation where possible and are a founding member of the Sustainability Group.