Connectivity Evolution at Concordia: Enabling Science in the Heart of Antarctica

In the heart of Antarctica, Concordia Station is a year-round research hub whose extreme remoteness makes connectivity essential for both science and daily operations. Until 2023, its only link to the outside world was a limited, high-latency geostationary VSAT connection. In December 2023, the station installed its first Starlink terminal, dramatically improving bandwidth and latency thanks to LEO satellite technology. This work outlines the ways in which Starlink has improved scientific data transmission, operational workflows, andthe well-being of overwintering staff. It also examines routing behavior toward European research networks, the role of IPv6, and the challenges related to cybersecurity, network modernization, and resilience in extreme conditions. Connectivity at Concordia is now a true enabler of real-time research and collaboration—transforming one of the world’s most isolated outposts into an active node of the global scientific community