The member countries of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) are studying the option of integrating their telecommunications infrastructures through an “optical ring”, Brazil’s Communications Minister, Paulo Bernardo, told Brazilian media after a meeting with the Secretary General of UNASUR, Maria Emma Mejia.

The project, which according to the minister requires initial investment of USD 100 million, will be presented on 02 December to the presidents of UNASUR countries meeting in Caracas, Venezuela. Some banks have already expressed support for this integration, such as the Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social (BNDES), the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) and the Corporacion Andina de Fomento (CAF).

In addition, Bernardo said Brazil is considering two new submarine cables, one for North America and one for Europe, with the first expected to cost up to USD 300 million.