Hibernia Atlantic

Hibernia Atlantic was the earlier operating name of Hibernia Networks, a US-owned telecommunications provider that built its business around international fiber connectivity. The company operated submarine and terrestrial network infrastructure linking North America with Ireland, the United Kingdom, and mainland Europe, later extending connectivity into major Asia-Pacific markets. Its network architecture included self-healing rings intended to improve resilience and service continuity across long-distance routes. The company’s principal infrastructure was the Hibernia transatlantic cable system. The original system was built in 2000 by Tyco Submarine Systems for 360networks. After 360networks entered receivership in 2001, the cable assets were acquired in 2003 and began carrying traffic in 2005. Hibernia subsequently developed and marketed the route as part of a broader communications platform, operating cable landing stations in locations including Halifax-area Herring Cove in Nova Scotia, Lynn in Massachusetts, Dublin, Southport in England, Brean in Somerset, and Coleraine in Northern Ireland. Hibernia sold wholesale and enterprise network capacity rather than consumer telecommunications services. Its portfolio included wavelength services from 2.5 Gbit/s through 100 Gbit/s, Ethernet connectivity from 10 Mbit/s through 100 Gbit/s, traditional SONET/SDH services, IP transit, managed network services, video transport, and customized international capacity. The company also targeted financial institutions and trading firms that valued predictable, low-latency routes between exchanges, data centers, and metropolitan network hubs. A major strategic initiative was Project Express, announced in 2010 as a new transatlantic cable between the New York metropolitan area and Slough in the United Kingdom. The project was designed for high capacity and very low latency, with a publicly stated target of less than 60 milliseconds. Hibernia announced construction with TE SubCom in 2014, describing the approximately 4,600-kilometer system as a direct, low-latency fiber path between New York and London. The project reinforced the company’s focus on financial-market connectivity and high-performance international communications. Hibernia expanded through acquisitions and network partnerships. It acquired MediaXstream in 2009, bought Media Connect assets from TeliaSonera International Carrier in 2012, and acquired Atrato IP Networks in 2013. The Media Connect transaction strengthened its managed video transport capabilities in Europe and North America, while Atrato added IP and transit services. In 2011 the company announced network expansion into Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong. It also supplied capacity and connectivity to infrastructure and data-center providers such as Voxility. In January 2017, GTT Communications acquired Hibernia for an initial announced price of $590 million, later reported at $607 million. Hibernia was absorbed into GTT, ending its existence as an independent company and bringing its transatlantic assets and services into GTT’s global communications network. The Hibernia Atlantic name therefore represents both a submarine-cable brand and the predecessor identity of the broader Hibernia Networks business.

The Hibernia business originated in the development of a transatlantic submarine cable system during the telecommunications infrastructure boom around 2000. Tyco Submarine Systems built the system for 360networks, but the original owner entered receivership in 2001. The cable assets were acquired in 2003 and began carrying traffic in 2005. Hibernia Atlantic became associated with the route and developed it into the foundation of a wider international telecommunications network. The network connected North America with Ireland, the United Kingdom, and mainland Europe through submarine and terrestrial infrastructure. Its landing-station footprint included Herring Cove in Nova Scotia, Lynn in Massachusetts, Dublin, Southport, Brean, and later Coleraine in Northern Ireland. Hibernia used self-healing ring architectures and optical transport systems to provide resilient international connectivity. Services ranged from traditional SONET/SDH circuits to Ethernet and wavelength products reaching 100 Gbit/s. In 2007, Hibernia selected Huawei Technologies USA to upgrade approximately 24,520 kilometers of submarine and terrestrial network across North America and Europe. The company expanded its commercial scope in 2009 by acquiring MediaXstream, a managed network-services provider. It also concentrated on customers for whom latency and route quality were commercially important, particularly financial institutions, trading firms, exchanges, and data-center operators. Hibernia announced Project Express in 2010. The proposed system was intended to connect the New York metropolitan area with Slough in the United Kingdom using a high-capacity, low-latency route. Hibernia stated that the system would target less than 60 milliseconds of delay and a capacity of approximately 8.8 terabits per second. In 2011 the company extended its network reach into Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong, broadening its geographic proposition beyond the North Atlantic. A 2012 transaction involving Media Connect assets from TeliaSonera International Carrier strengthened Hibernia’s presence in managed digital-media and video transport. The assets covered Europe and the United States, and Hibernia described the resulting network as one of the larger dynamic transport mode video networks. That same year, Hibernia contracted with Voxility to provide European and transatlantic capacity connecting data centers in North America, the United Kingdom, and Germany. In 2013, the acquisition of Atrato IP Networks added IP and transit services. In 2014 Hibernia and TE SubCom began construction of the new Project Express submarine system. The approximately 4,600-kilometer cable was designed as a direct, low-latency fiber path between New York and London and reinforced Hibernia’s emphasis on financial-market connectivity. The project later received the 2016 GTB Innovation Award for Fixed Infrastructure. Hibernia was privately held and was previously associated with Columbia Ventures Corporation and Constellation Ventures Partners. On January 9, 2017, GTT Communications acquired the company for a reported $607 million, following an initially stated price of $590 million. Hibernia was absorbed into GTT, ending its independent operation and leaving Hibernia Atlantic as a historical name for the cable and network-services business.

1. 2017Acquired by GTT Communications

   GTT Communications acquired and absorbed Hibernia, ending its independent corporate operation.

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2. 2016GTB Innovation Award

   Hibernia and TE SubCom received an award for fixed-infrastructure innovation related to the transatlantic cable project.

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3. 2014Project Express construction begins

   Hibernia and TE SubCom began construction of the approximately 4,600-kilometer New York–London submarine cable.

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4. 2013Atrato IP Networks acquired

   The acquisition added IP and transit services to the company’s portfolio.

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5. 2012Media Connect assets acquired

   Hibernia acquired Media Connect assets from TeliaSonera International Carrier and operated them under the Hibernia Networks identity.

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6. 2011Asia-Pacific expansion

   The company announced network connectivity into Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

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7. 2010Project Express announced

   Hibernia announced plans for a high-capacity, low-latency cable between the New York metropolitan area and Slough, England.

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8. 2009MediaXstream acquisition

   Hibernia acquired managed network-services provider MediaXstream.

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9. 2007Network upgrade selected

   Huawei Technologies USA was selected to upgrade approximately 24,520 kilometers of Hibernia submarine and terrestrial infrastructure.

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10. 2005Transatlantic system enters service

    The acquired cable system began carrying commercial traffic.

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11. 2003Cable assets acquired

    The transatlantic cable assets were purchased after the receivership process.

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12. 2001Original owner enters receivership

    360networks entered receivership, placing the cable project’s original ownership structure under financial administration.

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13. 2000Original transatlantic cable built

    Tyco Submarine Systems built the original transatlantic cable system for 360networks.

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A wholesale-focused international network operator positioned around resilient transatlantic infrastructure, high-capacity optical transport, low-latency routes for financial markets, and managed connectivity for carriers, enterprises, content providers, and data centers.

• Hibernia transatlantic cable systemSubmarine communications cable2005

  The original transatlantic cable infrastructure formed the core of Hibernia Atlantic’s business. It connected landing stations in North America with Ireland, the United Kingdom, and mainland Europe and supported wholesale international communications capacity. The system was subsequently upgraded and integrated with terrestrial and optical network infrastructure.

• Project ExpressSubmarine communications cable2010

  Project Express was a planned and constructed high-capacity transatlantic cable connecting the New York metropolitan area with Slough, west of London. Hibernia positioned it as a very low-latency route for financial-market and other latency-sensitive users, with a target delay below 60 milliseconds and planned capacity reported at approximately 8.8 terabits per second.

• Wavelength servicesOptical transport

  Hibernia provided dedicated optical wavelength capacity across its submarine and terrestrial network. Published service capabilities ranged from 2.5 Gbit/s to 100 Gbit/s, allowing carriers, enterprises, content companies, and financial customers to purchase high-capacity point-to-point international connections.

• Ethernet and SONET/SDH servicesTelecom transport services

  The company offered Ethernet connectivity from 10 Mbit/s to 100 Gbit/s alongside traditional SONET/SDH circuits. These services supported enterprise networking, carrier backhaul, data-center interconnection, and international private connectivity over Hibernia’s optical infrastructure.

• Managed network and video transportManaged communications services2009

  Through organic development and the MediaXstream and Media Connect transactions, Hibernia supplied managed network and dynamic transport services for media and content customers. The offering used optical switching and dynamic transport capabilities across European and North American markets.

• IP transitInternet connectivity2013

  The acquisition of Atrato IP Networks added IP and transit capabilities to Hibernia’s portfolio. These services complemented the company’s long-haul transport and submarine capacity by providing international Internet-network connectivity for carriers and infrastructure customers.

• 2017Sale to GTT CommunicationsM&A

  Hibernia was a privately held international network operator with valuable transatlantic cable, optical transport, and managed-services assets.

  What changed. GTT Communications acquired Hibernia and absorbed its operations.

  Aftermath. Hibernia ceased operating as an independent company and its network assets and services became part of GTT’s global communications platform.

  Acquisition price. $590 million initially announced → $607 million reported transaction value (January 9, 2017)

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• 2013Acquire Atrato IP NetworksM&A

  Hibernia wanted to supplement its optical and submarine infrastructure with IP-network and transit capabilities.

  What changed. Hibernia acquired Atrato IP Networks, an IP and transit-services provider.

  Aftermath. The acquisition broadened the company’s portfolio for carriers and other network customers.

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• 2012Acquire Media Connect assetsM&A

  Hibernia sought to broaden its business from basic transatlantic capacity into managed content and video transport.

  What changed. The company acquired Media Connect assets from TeliaSonera International Carrier in Europe and the United States and rebranded the resulting operation as Hibernia Networks.

  Aftermath. The transaction expanded Hibernia’s video-transport footprint and strengthened its presence in European and North American markets.

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• 2010Target financial markets with Project ExpressStrategy

  Financial customers and trading firms placed a premium on minimizing delay between North American and European exchanges and data centers.

  What changed. Hibernia announced a new New York metropolitan area–Slough cable designed for very high capacity and a target latency below 60 milliseconds.

  Aftermath. The project became the company’s principal infrastructure initiative and proceeded to construction with TE SubCom in 2014.

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• 2017GTT Communications acquires Hibernia

  GTT Communications acquired Hibernia for an initial announced price of $590 million, with the reported final transaction value reaching $607 million, and absorbed the business into its operations.

  M&ALeadership change
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• 2016Hibernia receives GTB Innovation Award for fixed infrastructure

  Hibernia and TE SubCom received the GTB Innovation Award for Fixed Infrastructure in recognition of their transatlantic cable project.

  Other
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• 2014Construction begins on the Project Express cable

  Hibernia and TE SubCom announced the start of construction of an approximately 4,600-kilometer submarine cable intended to provide a low-latency fiber route between New York and London.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2013Hibernia acquires Atrato IP Networks

  The company acquired Atrato IP Networks, adding IP and transit capabilities to its international network-services portfolio.

  M&A
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• 2012Hibernia acquires Media Connect assets

  Hibernia acquired Media Connect assets from TeliaSonera International Carrier in Europe and the United States and subsequently operated them under the Hibernia Networks identity, strengthening its video transport business.

  M&A
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• 2012Hibernia signs capacity agreement with Voxility

  Hibernia announced a contract to provide Voxility with European and transatlantic capacity connecting data centers in North America, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

  Other
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• 2011Hibernia announces Asia-Pacific expansion

  Hibernia announced network connectivity into Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong as part of its expansion beyond its North Atlantic and European footprint.

  Other
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• 2010Project Express transatlantic cable announced

  Hibernia announced plans for a high-capacity, low-latency cable between the New York metropolitan area and Slough, west of London, targeting financial-market users and a latency of under 60 milliseconds.

  Product launch
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• 2009Hibernia acquires MediaXstream

  The company acquired managed network services provider MediaXstream, expanding its service portfolio beyond core international cable capacity.

  M&A
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• 2007Hibernia selects Huawei Technologies USA for network upgrade

  Hibernia announced that Huawei Technologies USA had been selected to upgrade approximately 24,520 kilometers of submarine and terrestrial network infrastructure across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe.

  Other
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1. Hibernia Networks