> thanks to them we have shorter fiber routes across the atlantic at least.

Can you explain how HFT caused a shorter fiber route across the Atlantic? Is this route open to the non-HFT public?

I read Flash Boys and am aware of a custom fiber link between Weehauken, NJ and Chicago, IL, but I thought they are were moving to microwave. I thought there were some HFT links (fiber or microwave) within Europe.