Merete Caubet joined Bulk Infrastructure as Vice President of Sales and Business Development for the establishment of the Fiber Networks division in August 2019. Prior to this appointment, Caubet held several leadership positions within larger international corporations, (Alpharma, now Novo Nordisk and Volvo) before moving into digital infrastructure with subsea fiber solutions (Nexans). She holds an MSc and a specialized Master’s degree in Competitive Intelligence from the University of Toulouse (France). Not afraid of taking risks, Caubet wholeheartedly engages in visionary and challenging endeavors with her always solution-minded approach.
Navigating the Transatlantic Digital Highway with Bulk Infrastructure’s Leif Erikson Project
In the dynamic world of telecommunications and infrastructure development, few individuals have demonstrated the level of vision and strategic leadership of Merete Caubet, an accomplished, results-driven executive with a proven track record in the telecommunications and infrastructure industry.
Caubet’s journey to becoming a driving force behind digital highway connectivity began with a passion for business and a keen understanding of the telecommunications landscape. Her journey is a testament to how dedication, expertise, and a relentless pursuit of excellence can facilitate change. With over two decades of experience in the telecommunications and infrastructure sectors, she is undoubtedly one of the industry’s most distinguished leaders.
A Pioneer in Transatlantic Connectivity
One shining example of Caubet’s caliber is her championing of Bulk’s pivotal role in the development of high-capacity transcontinental fiber optic cable systems that underpin connectivity across Europe and facilitate seamless data flows for the transatlantic economy. Most notably today, that involves spearheading the Leif Erikson Cable System, a ground-breaking endeavor set to revolutionize the transatlantic market.
Over the next three years, Bulk is set to redefine the transatlantic cable network with this cable system. Designed to serve as a game-changer in the world of subsea telecommunications—not only due to its unprecedented technical specifications, but also because of its focus on sustainable practices—the system is a 4,500 km direct link between Kristiansand, Southern Norway, and the Atlantic–Canada coast in Happy Valley, Goose Bay, Newfoundland. This undersea marvel promises to provide faster, more reliable, and eco-friendly connectivity solutions for users on both sides of the Atlantic.
From its landing point in Goose Bay, the cable extends overland for 1,800 km (approximately 1,118 miles) for seamless connections to the burgeoning data center market in Quebec City. Future expansion plans reach as far as Montreal. The Leif Erikson project marks a significant milestone in establishing a transcontinental digital highway, boosting connectivity, and bolstering the data infrastructure of these regions. Under Caubet’s guidance, Bulk will offer flexible IRU and long-term lease agreements for dark fiber and managed or raw spectrum services on the new system.
Sustainability at the Core: 100% Renewable Energy
One of the standout features of the Leif Erikson Cable System is that it will be the first transatlantic cable powered entirely by renewable energy. This groundbreaking achievement exemplifies Caubet’s and Bulk’s vision to bring sustainable infrastructure to a global user base and transform how we think about environmental responsibility in the telecommunications sector.
The Leif Erikson project showcases that high-capacity data transmission can coexist with eco-conscious practices and ultimately contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.
Canada isn’t Caubet’s only cable target for a more sustainable and connected future. In October of this year, Bulk announced a new partnership with EXA Infrastructure, the largest digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe to North America. With EXA’s support, Caubet hopes to provide customers with a more diverse, less trafficked path toward transatlantic connectivity through New Jersey in the US to Kristiansand in Norway and Esbjerg in Denmark.
The Ecosystem Approach to Infrastructure
Both Caubet and Bulk recognize that the success of the Leif Erikson project will not solely be down to its technical prowess: Its integration into a broader ecosystem is also crucial. Today, subsea cables must be viewed through the same lens as any other major piece of infrastructure—as essential components of an ecosystem that must collectively contribute to achieving net zero emissions.
This ecosystem approach takes into account not only sustainable energy sourcing, but also the collaborative efforts required between governments, businesses, and communities to ensure the cable system’s seamless operation. Caubet’s role involves navigating this complex web of stakeholders and ensuring that this project and all future projects align with a global vision for sustainable infrastructure development.
Bulk’s innovative approach to connectivity is poised to drive economic growth, innovation, and international collaboration on an unprecedented scale, and as we stand on the brink of this new connectivity era, Caubet’s leadership in shaping a more sustainable and interconnected future is both inspiring and impactful. These transoceanic, eco-friendly systems will not only bridge continents, but also bridge the divide between infrastructure development and environmental responsibility—a true pioneer of the modern digital age.
With Caubet’s guidance, Bulk is poised to remain a trailblazer in the subsea telecommunications industry and drive the transatlantic economy to new heights.
If we’re talking about a hypothetical perfect cable, the first thing that comes to mind is the importance of location: it needs not only to enable for data processing on available, sustainable energy, but also contribute to a future-proof and more resilient network overall. Choosing the right location and minimizing the impact of the data processing should be top of mind for any cable development or restoration.
