PARAMARIBO, SURINAME – Telecommunications provider Telesur and Orange Global Networks have entered a new ten-year agreement to expand Suriname’s international connectivity and prepare the country for a major growth in data demand as offshore oil development advances.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on November 19 in Paramaribo in the presence of Surinama’s Minister of Tourism, Transport and Communication Raymond Landveld, French Ambassador Nicolas de Lacoste, CEO of Telesur Doric Ramlakhan and President of Orange Carriers USA David Pugin.
In his remarks, Ramlakhan said the growing oil and gas sector is driving a national need for higher capacity and stronger redundancy. “Oil and gas sector is growing in Suriname, so we have to keep up,” he said. “Orange will support us with 140 Gbps of new capacity on top of our existing 100 Gbps…and we expect to finalize full fiber coverage in Paramaribo by March next year.”
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Following the ceremony, Ramlakhan provided OilNOW with further technical details on the scale of the expansion.
He shared: “Internet demand in Suriname is increasing by about 30 percent every year. Right now, the demand is around 240 Gbps.” He added, “To satisfy this demand, we extended our international capacity with Orange.”
He explained that the expansion will be delivered through Orange’s regional systems, including the Kanawa cable between French Guiana and Martinique. A newly emphasized link to Martinique will serve as a strengthened backup to the SG-SCS system running to Trinidad.
Ramlakhan also confirmed preparations for offshore connectivity solutions. “For the FPSOs (floating production, storage and offloading), we are developing a satellite project with Orange. Next year, we will have the first tests.”
This satellite will enable real-time operational data, remote monitoring, and higher-bandwidth communication from vessels located more than 100 kilometers offshore.
The expanded subsea capacity and the upcoming FPSO satellite system represent a key step as Suriname transitions toward first oil. Strengthened redundancy, higher international bandwidth and offshore-ready digital links will form the backbone of a more resilient and data-driven energy sector in the years ahead.
