Global network operations provider Indigo Telecom Group has agreed heads of terms with EXA Infrastructure to acquire the Network Operations Centre that was previously operated by subsea cable company Aqua Comms in Newcastle. The deal, subject to final agreement, would give Indigo a third 24x7 NOC alongside its existing facilities in Denver and Magor, Wales.
The Newcastle NOC handles monitoring and support for subsea cable systems including the America Europe Connect-1 and -2 cables, CeltixConnect, and the Amitié consortium cable — infrastructure that Aqua Comms had operated before EXA Infrastructure completed its acquisition of the company in December 2025. The Aqua Comms team would be integrated into Indigo's global NOC services under the proposed transaction.
Indigo operates across 90-plus countries with more than 3,500 engineers and manages over 30,000 incidents annually. The company serves hyperscalers, subsea cable owners, carriers, and mobile network providers, providing services that cover proactive monitoring, fault response, service assurance, commissioning, and capacity management.
The Aqua Comms NOC team brings significant subsea cable expertise and operational experience to Indigo. We're excited to welcome the Team to Indigo and add further specialist capabilities to our NOC offering
Michel Robert, CEO of Indigo, said: "The Aqua Comms NOC team brings significant subsea cable expertise and operational experience to Indigo. We're excited to welcome the Team to Indigo and add further specialist capabilities to our NOC offering. The acquisition will strengthen our ability to deliver the uptime, control and hyperscale performance our customers expect."
For EXA, the rationale is about operational consolidation as it scales. Jim Fagan, CEO of EXA Infrastructure, said: "Aqua Comms built a world-class NOC in Newcastle, a team with deep subsea knowledge and a track record of operational excellence. As EXA scales globally, consolidating our network operations is the right strategic step, and Aqua Comms customers will continue to be supported without disruption through EXA's NOC."
The transaction remains subject to final agreement and customary approvals.
Aqua Comms built a world-class NOC in Newcastle, a team with deep subsea knowledge and a track record of operational excellence. As EXA scales globally, consolidating our network operations is the right strategic step, and Aqua Comms customers will continue to be supported without disruption through EXA's NOC. The fact that this is an exceptional team is precisely why transferring them to Indigo makes sense. Indigo is growing its footprint across the global subsea industry, and this move puts that expertise on a bigger stage. That is the right outcome for the team and for the industry
