TRACECA PotiConstanta section towards Odessa PotiIstambul orand Poti

TRACECA Poti–Constanta (section towards Odessa), Poti-Istambul or/and Poti. Rise International fiber-optic sub-marine cable backbones

Brief Overview Formation of Euro-Asian Transportation, Energy and Information corridors have great strategic significance not just for South-Caucasus region but for every country of Black and Caspian Sees Basin. We have to consider Information corridor as an independent and unique which together with Transport and Energy projects makes economic space as a whole. It consists of new fiber-optic cable backbone construction between Europe and Asia and upgraded existed fiber-optic backbones.

We have to consider Information corridor as an independent and unique which together with Transport and Energy projects makes economic space as a whole.

Biref Overview • • From the political and strategic point of view, new information space should become foreign-political growing factor of its countries. And, from the economic point of view - one of the major link for Transportation Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia (TRASECA), Baku-Tbilisi-Jeihan Gas & Oil pipelines infrastructures. Europe-Asia Information space includes huge territory with more then 26 countries and several hundredes of million populations. Establishing new alternative routes – infotelecommunication means to world markets and individual countries, make additional political and economic conditions for the countries, which in conclusion is an important factor for their social and political power, and strengthening of their sovereignty

Poti – Constance (with the branch to Odessa), Poti-Istanbul and/or Poti Rize International Fiber-Optic Sub-Marine Cable Backbones Construction of Poti – Constance (with the branch to Odessa), Poti. Istanbul and/or Poti – Rize international fiber-optic sub-marine cable backbones are significant factor in the process of South Caucasus countries’ worldwide integration, at the same time in establishing process of new information space for connecting Europe&Asia.

Current and future international sub-marine fiber-optic backbone cable lines in Black Sea Basin Current sub-marine international fiber-optic backbone cable backbones Poti-Varna Project fiber-optic cable backbones

Poti – Constantsa (with a branch to Odessa), Poti - Istanbul and/or Poti Rize international fiber -optic submarine cable will be the part of Trans Euro. Asian information superhighway (TASIM), the construction of which is supported by the UN General Assembly 64 - th Session.

Trans - Eurasian information superhighway presents new information route connecting Asia and Europe, which will go through Georgia, and be handling large amounts of traffic. Traffic volume is increasing between Europe and Asia. As an example: by 2008 traffic amounted 20. 1 Tbps. , and forecast by 2012 is that traffic volume would surplus 81. 1 Tbps. From year to year the demand on bandwidths is increasing. For instance, traffic volume in 2008 amounted 20. 1 Tbps, while for the year 2012 the traffic volume is assumed surplus of 81. 1 Tbps.

Regional Criteria Poti - Constantsa (with a branch to Odessa), Poti - Istanbul and/or Poti Rize international fiber -optic submarine cable will be connected to Georgia in Poti, on the territories of Azerbaijan and Armenia to the existing and constructing interstate highway cables, in the Constantsa, Odessa and Istanbul (or in Rize) with the infocommunication networks of Romania, Ukraine and Turkey integrated into European countries similar networks, also, in case of need with active fiber - optic submarine cable routes in the Black Sea basin: ITUR, BSFOCS, KAFOS, as well as trans – Eurasian information superhighway (TASIM). By Trans - Asia - Europe's cable route through Georgia – Azerbaijan, via the shortest way and sustainable network be afforded high level telephone traffic between Europe, the Middle East and Central Asian countries, as well, direct international connections will be established between the South Caucasus, GUAM and European countries.

Regional Criteria Existence of the mentioned Information Superhighway on the regional level will bring member countries many advantages and profit, reduce financial risks of investment sharing, will give opportunities for regional synergy, etc.

Economic Criteria • Poti - Constantsa (with a branch to Odessa), fiber - optic submarine cable route projected estimated length is 1200 km, estimated cost U. S. $ 32 million • Poti-Istanbul fiber optic cable route projected estimated length is 1 059 km and approximate cost - U. S. $ 29 million • Maximum term of construction - 2 years • Construction turnover term - 6 -7 years

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