Submarine communications cable

Submarine cable cross-section 3D plain

France Telecom Marine Rene Descartes p1150247

British & Irish Magnetic Telegraph Co. Limited 3 shilling stamp c. 1862 remaindered without control number

Telegraph QE3 19

1901 Eastern Telegraph cables

Bundesarchiv Bild 102-01035, New York, Verlegen von Unterseekabel

Submarine communications cable is a cable laid on the sea bed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea. The first submarine communications cables, laid in the 1850s, carried telegraphy traffic. Subsequent generations of cables carried telephone traffic, then data communications traffic. Modern cables use optical fiber technology to carry digital data, which includes telephone, Internet, and private data traffic.

History

Submarine communications cables have been in use since the 19th century, with the first successful laying of a cable across the Atlantic Ocean in 1866, after several unsuccessful attempts in the 1850s. This initial cable reduced the communication time between Europe and North America from ten days – the time it took to deliver a message by ship – to a matter of minutes via telegraphy.

Technology

Modern submarine cables use optical fiber technology due to its advantages over the older copper cable technology. Optical fibers can carry more data at higher speeds with less signal degradation over long distances than copper cables. These cables are typically about 25mm in diameter and are made up of several layers, including the optical fibers, a protective layer to withstand the harsh conditions of the ocean floor, and sometimes power lines to supply electricity to repeaters. Repeaters are used to boost the signal strength at intervals along the cable, ensuring that the data signal remains strong over long distances.

Installation and Maintenance

Laying a submarine communications cable is an expensive and complex process that involves specialized ships to lay the cable on the ocean floor. The route of the cable must be carefully planned to avoid underwater obstacles and areas of heavy shipping traffic. Maintenance and repair of a submarine cable can be challenging due to the difficulty of accessing the cable, which may be located in deep waters.

Economic and Political Aspects

Submarine cables are critical infrastructure for global communications, carrying over 99% of international data traffic. As such, they are of strategic economic and political importance. The ownership and control of these cables can be a sensitive issue, as they are vital for the functioning of the internet, international business, and national security communications.

Security and Surveillance

The security of submarine cables is a concern for governments and companies, as they can be targets for sabotage or espionage. There have been instances of cables being accidentally cut by ship anchors or fishing nets, causing significant disruptions to communications. Additionally, there is the potential for governments to tap into these cables for surveillance purposes, raising privacy and sovereignty issues.

Future Developments

The demand for data transmission capacity continues to grow, driven by the expansion of the internet and cloud computing. This has led to ongoing investments in new submarine cable projects. Future developments in submarine cable technology may include advancements in optical fiber technology, increasing the capacity and reliability of these cables even further.

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