VANCOUVER, B.C., Canada, April 26 -- 360networks opened a $30 million cable landing station in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil that will serve as a major access point to the company's global fiber optic network. The new station links Rio de Janeiro with North America via 360americas, an undersea and terrestrial network that currently provides direct connectivity between the US, Brazil, Venezuela and Bermuda. 360americas will span 29,000 kilometers (18,000 miles) and offer total system capacity of 1.36 Tb/s. Located in the municipal district of Vargem Pequena, the 15,000-square foot landing station houses network switching and optical equipment, office space and electrical generators. It also features secure space where customers such as telecommunications companies and data-centric organizations can connect their regional networks and applications to 360networks' global network. "Rio de Janeiro will serve as the main gateway for international data traffic between South America and North America," said Scott Lyons, vice president of submarine systems at 360networks. "The completion of this landing station marks a significant milestone in the development of 360americas and the delivery of fiber optic network services between Brazil and the world."