Amazon is to develop a new subsea cable linking the US to Ireland.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) this week announced Fastnet, a new transatlantic cable system connecting Maryland and County Cork.

When operational in 2028, the system will offer more than 320Tbps of capacity.

Fastnet marks Amazon’s first solo private subsea cable project, and the first cable to land in Maryland.

News that Amazon was planning a cable linking the two countries surfaced in January via an application with the Irish maritime agency. That application said the cable would make landfall around Castlefreke in Cork across the Celtic Sea.

Most of Ireland’s subsea cables land around Dublin on the east coast or on the west coast around Mayo or Galway. The only cable to land in County Cork is Exa’s Exa Express cable, which lands at the Cork Internet eXchange/CloudCIX on the Hollyhill Industrial Estate in Cork.

“Amazon’s new Fastnet transatlantic subsea cable represents a vote of confidence in Ireland’s digital future, helping to enable the next wave of innovation in cloud computing and artificial intelligence,” said Ireland Taoiseach, Micheál Martin. “By linking County Cork to Maryland in the United States, Ireland will become a true gateway to Europe for submarine telecommunications cables. This investment will enhance our global connectivity, reinforce the resilience of critical digital infrastructure, and strengthen our economic competitiveness.”

No cables currently land in Maryland. Many cables land in New Jersey to the north, or Virginia Beach to the south. Where Amazon will be landing Fastnet in Maryland hasn’t been shared beyond saying it would benefit the state’s Eastern Shore area.

Amazon is set to build a Maryland-based availability zone at TPG’s Quantum Frederick data center park in Frederick.

“Building Maryland’s first-ever subsea fiber cable is an achievement bigger than broadband connectivity—it’s about securing Maryland’s status as a global hub for innovation, job creation, and high-tech investment,” said Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland. “To grow our economy, we need to prioritize industries of the future. That is exactly what this project helps us deliver, in partnership with leaders with deep local ties and robust commitment to community engagement.”

Amazon is a part-owner or major capacity buyer of the Havfrue, Hawaiki, Jupiter, and Marea subsea cables. Launched in 2020, Havfrue (also known as AEC-2) links the US to Ireland, Norway, and Denmark. Aqua Comms is the landing party in Lecanvey, County Mayo, for the Irish portion of the cable.

Amazon is also working with Vodafone on the Beaufort cable, which is set to link Ireland to the UK. Due to land at the former ESAT 1 landing station at Kilmore Quay in Wexford on the Irish side, it is due to land in Bude in England and Port Eynon in Wales on the UK side. The cable was originally due for service in 2024.