WSP USA to Help Deliver Landmark Confluence-1 Fiberoptic System

Ultra-high capacity undersea telecommunications network the first to link critical communications hubs along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard between New York and Miami.

NEW YORK — The recently finalized partnership of Confluence Networks, LLC and MasTec, Inc. has selected WSP USA, a leading engineering and professional services firm, to assist in completing its Confluence-1 fiberoptic cable system.

An alternative to the existing terrestrial network, the cutting-edge subsea project will provide direct, high quality and scalable connection between the major global communications centers along the east coast of the U.S., including New York, NY; Virginia Beach, VA; Jacksonville, FL; and Miami, FL; and open a new strategic node in Myrtle Beach, SC. Further, Confluence-1 will serve to connect many intercontinental cable routes.

WSP has been tapped to provide its expertise in permitting telecommunications projects, to navigate the maze of environmental regulations and ensure the project can be completed in compliance with local, regional and federal requirements.

“It is very exciting for us to participate in this important project and provide resilient infrastructure to facilitate the transmission of information across the U.S. and the globe,” said Maria Mato, global telecom practice lead for WSP USA. “Confluence-1 is a critical link in the chain of global subsea fiberoptic systems we have worked on, and we are proud to partner with Confluence Networks and MasTec to get it built.”

The 2,571-kilometer Confluence-1 cable system entails 24 fiber pairs and five landings and will deliver 500 terabits per second of capacity. The robust and secure technology provides reliable redundancy to existing systems, especially crucial in response to and recovery from severe weather events and other disasters.

“Confluence members have long experience with Maria Mato and her E&E/WSP team; they are clearly a top-rank group,” said Confluence co-founder David Ross. “We are confident that WSP is the best choice to efficiently deal with the complexities of permitting for Confluence-1, which requires simultaneous efforts on five cable landings in four U.S. states.”

This project builds on WSP’s expansive portfolio of telecommunications projects around the world. Mato and her team have helped to bring fiberoptic systems to cities throughout the Americas, and connect the U.S. to Europe, Africa and Asia.

“Confluence-1 further solidifies WSP’s position as a leader in the niche market of environmental permitting services for telecommunications,” said Steven Paquette, executive lead for the WSP USA environment business. “This is an area in which Maria and our global team provide our clients with truly unmatched experience, and highly specialized expertise to help them successfully bring projects to completion.”

About WSP USA

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water, telecom and environment markets. With more than 10,000 employees in 170 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com