Work is reportedly to get underway in the coming months on a high speed fibre optic network, linking the western seaboard of Ireland and the US.

According to the Irish Times, promoters are said to have secured funding for the multi-million euro cable between New York and Mayo - as well as planning approval to land it in the Killala area.

The initial phase of the project is expected to cost some €281m, with construction expected to begin in the summer.

AEConnect will span more than 5,400 km and will use CeltixConnect - an Irish Sea subsea cable wholly owned by AquaComms - to provide extended connectivity to London and greater Europe.

"AquaComms' strategy is to build and operate a diversified, solution-based network, providing term and peak capacity product offerings and working in partnership with its contractors, equipment suppliers, backhaul network providers and customers to support the US's and Europe's expanding data requirements of today and for tomorrow, ultimately offering 'infrastructure-as-a-service'," says Greg Varisco, COO of AquaComms.

AEConnect is scheduled to be ready for service in December 2015.

Aqua Comms is a provider of scalable and subsea capacity-based network solutions, and has its corporate office in Dublin.