What are Submarine Cables?

Submarine cables are fiber-optic cables laid on the ocean floor that connect countries and continents, forming the physical backbone of the global internet. These cables transmit vast amounts of digital data as pulses of light, enabling nearly all of our international communications, from emails to video calls.

For the telecom and network management industry, these undersea networks are critical infrastructure, carrying over 99% of all international data traffic. Understanding their role is fundamental for any enterprise involved in global connectivity and effective telecom lifecycle management.

History of Submarine Cables

The story of submarine cables begins long before the internet, with the first transatlantic telegraph cable laid in 1858. These early copper lines transmitted simple messages and were later upgraded to coaxial cables to carry telephone calls.

The modern era of connectivity began in the 1980s with the arrival of fiber-optic cables. This technology drastically increased data capacity and speed, forming the essential infrastructure for today's global internet.

Types of Submarine Cables

Submarine cables are categorized by their technical design and ownership structure. These distinctions help clarify how global data networks are built and managed.

• Repeatered: Cables with devices called repeaters that boost the optical signal over long distances, ideal for transoceanic routes.
• Unrepeatered: Shorter cables without repeaters, often connecting a mainland to a nearby island or for coastal links.
• Private: A system owned and operated by a single entity, like a large tech company, for its own data needs.
• Consortium: Owned by a group of companies, typically telecom carriers, who share the cable's capacity and costs.
• Armored: Cables with extra steel wire protection for shallow waters where they face risks from anchors and fishing.

Submarine Cables vs. Undersea Drones

While they both operate underwater, submarine cables and undersea drones serve entirely different purposes in telecommunications.

• Function: Submarine cables are stationary data highways, transmitting information at high speeds between continents. They are essential for global connectivity but involve significant upfront investment, impacting long-term telecom expense management.
• Mobility: Undersea drones are mobile vehicles used for tasks like surveying, inspection, and maintenance of subsea infrastructure. They collect specific data but are not designed to carry the massive traffic of the global internet.

Importance of Submarine Cables

Submarine cables are the foundation of the global digital economy. They support everything from financial transactions to cloud computing and international business operations. Without them, the worldwide connectivity that enterprises rely on would simply not exist.

For any business with a global footprint, managing this connectivity is a major task. Effective network sourcing and management ensures reliable performance for your critical applications. Lightyear's platform helps enterprises procure and oversee the network services that run over this vital infrastructure.

Challenges in Submarine Cable Installation and Maintenance

Installing and maintaining these vital data arteries is a complex and costly endeavor, facing numerous natural and man-made threats.

• Permitting: Securing approvals to lay cables across international waters and different environmental zones is a lengthy bureaucratic process.
• Installation: Specialized ships must carefully lay cables across vast, uneven ocean floors, a process that can cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
• Repairs: Locating a fault and dispatching a repair ship to retrieve, fix, and re-lay a cable segment can take weeks and disrupt service.
• Natural Hazards: Undersea earthquakes, volcanic activity, and strong currents can damage or sever cables, causing widespread outages.
• Human Interference: Ship anchors and commercial fishing gear are the most common threats, responsible for the majority of cable faults.

Frequently Asked Questions about Submarine Cables

Are submarine cables more reliable than satellites for business connectivity?

Yes, significantly. Cables offer much higher capacity and lower latency than satellites, making them the standard for reliable, high-performance global business operations. Satellites are better for remote areas or as a backup.

How does a cable fault affect my company's network?

Major routes have redundant paths. If one cable fails, traffic is automatically rerouted. However, this can cause congestion or increased latency. Proactive network monitoring helps manage these risks effectively.

Can my business buy capacity directly on a submarine cable?

Typically, enterprises purchase services from carriers who own capacity on these cables. Lightyear can help you compare these carrier options to find the best performance and pricing for your global network needs.

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