Under ocean cables. The panoramic view: a Christmas tree.

Under ocean cables Jan 18, 2023 · Essays Cybersecurity under the Ocean: Submarine Cables and US National Security Most internet users’ online experience is wireless, but in reality, hundreds of submarine cables, laid across the ocean floor around the world, are what carry 95 percent of intercontinental internet traffic. The total number of cables is constantly changing as new cables enter service and older cable are decommissioned. Apr 16, 2024 · The global internet relies on 800,000 miles of undersea cables that are constantly breaking. Sep 13, 2024 · Hidden beneath the world’s oceans lies an extraordinary technological feat — a network of cables stretching across the ocean floor for hundreds of thousands of kilometers, serving as our underwater power grid and information superhighway. Despite this, the recent subsea cable faults in the Baltic Sea has caused many to speculate foul play. Submarine cables, also known as subsea cables, are key to accelerating the green energy transition and form the backbone of the communication revolution Nov 30, 2024 · The cables at the heart of the lightspeed, globe-spanning internet run across the grimy, perilous, inaccessible deeps of the sea, in places no one ever sees or visits – until the cables break. With an unrelenting focus on quality, reliability, and value, SubCom offers flexible end-to-end building blocks for the high-tech networks that are the backbone of the world's digital infrastructure. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Nov 2, 2022 · Underwater cables keep the internet online. This new edition depicts 597 cable systems and 1,712 landings that are currently active or under construction. Jan 27, 2018 · This map shows how the huge, complicated network of undersea cables which keep the internet running is spread around the world. These undersea paths, hidden from view, connect continents and facilitate nearly all of our international data transmission. Virgin Islands. While these underwater lifelines are powerful and efficient, they come with serious risks. The cables lying on the ocean floor power the world’s internet, but they are far from indestructible. The cables are designed to be durable and are often buried under the ocean floor to protect them from disturbances and marine life. How they work: Fiber-optic technology transmits data using laser beams through thin glass fibres Nov 14, 2024 · BT’s Derek Cassidy helps us dive deep into the world of subsea cables and explains how they’re managed and protected. And the recent expansion of a trans Apr 7, 2023 · Submarine cables using fiber technology are an advanced, efficient way to route data. Undersea fibre optic cable is also known as ocean fiber optic cable, it is the fibre optic cable under the ocean. 30 Undersea Fiber Optic jobs available on Indeed. Read about underwater fiber optics' vital role in global communications. Apr 2, 2024 · Undersea cables, also known as submarine communications cables, are fiber-optic cables laid on the ocean floor and used to transmit data between continents. We observed that a lot of our students think that Internet comes from satellites. Cable armour is made from heavy-duty materials like steel, and armoured polyethene, which provides the extra layer of protection seabed cables require to survive in the deep ocean environment, the Apr 29, 2025 · Submarine cables are a hidden wonder. Internet cables, known as submarine cables, are laid across deep oceans by specialized ships. Aug 26, 2021 · Though we live in an increasingly wireless world, that connectivity depends on wires under the ocean. These dynamic cables Sep 27, 2015 · The first submarine cable – a copper-based telegraph cable – was laid across the Channel between the United Kingdom and France in 1850. This is the story of the 22 aging ships that fix them. Jan 22, 2025 · Discover who owns undersea cables and their impact on global communication and connectivity in this detailed article. It is estimated that these cables carry 99 percent of all international communications traffic such as voice, data and video. Per mile cable installation cost varies on total length and destination, still running cables underseas costs about hundreds of millions of dollars. These cables are extremely important for our internet infrastructure, yet many don’t Oct 27, 2015 · The modern system of undersea cables has its roots in the telegraph. Depending on where the cable will be located, plastic, steel and tar are added later to help it withstand unpredictable ocean environments. Dec 6, 2024 · A look at why cable disruptions seem to be happening more frequently, and what's at stake for Southeast Asia and Singapore. There are currently more than 300 undersea cables, which have a combined length of 550,000 miles, which is long enough to circle the globe 22 times. This guide walks you through the entire undersea cable laying process, from planning to commissioning. Fiber optic cable crosses the world’s ocean floors, serving as the backbone of the Internet. Nov 22, 2024 · In short Around 150 subsea cable faults occur annually, usually caused by accidental damage from a ship’s anchor or fishing trawler. The first transatlantic communications cable was completed in the summer of 1858, running under the ocean between Ireland and Nov 15, 2024 · What Are Submarine Cables? Submarine cables, also called undersea cables, sea cables, or underwater cables, are long, durable cables laid across the seabed. When they congregate in one place, things get tricky. Virtually all global data travels through millions of miles of submarine fiber optic cables deployed beneath the ocean’s surface. The data zips from New York to Sydney, from Mar 28, 2023 · Under the waves at the bottom of the Earth’s oceans are almost 1. These cables carry the bulk of the world’s internet traffic. A submarine communications cable is a cable laid on the seabed between land-based stations to carry telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea. 6 inch) wide cable Jul 17, 2025 · U. ELI5 : How's it that just 400 cables under the ocean provides all the internet to entire world and who actually owns and manages these cables SubCom engineers, manufactures, and installs subsea fiber optic data cables - the unsung heroes of global communication. Mar 5, 2024 · An underwater information superhighway, a global web of nearly 500 cables that lace the contours of the ocean floor. Env’t Programme World Conserv’n Monitoring Ctr. This would be especially useful in the Arctic, which has been studied much less than other global waters. Learn about their technology, installation process, maintenance, and global significance. Discover the inner workings of undersea fiber optic cables in this comprehensive guide. Submarine fiber optic cables are laid along the seabed between landing stations. . The company seeks to Apr 2, 2024 · Undersea cables, also known as submarine communications cables, are fibre-optic cables laid on the ocean floor and used to transmit data between continents. This cable carried 36 telephone channels, each of which was the equivalent of 22 telegraph circuits. Mar 28, 2025 · The idea of a cable carrying all our data under the sea appeared to me, at the time, to be a touch anachronistic in this, our digital age. Coverage: As of early 2025, there are over 600 active and planned cables globally, spanning 1. Mar 4, 2020 · The cables are laid directly on the ocean floor, and the cables close to the shore and buried under the seabed for protection. Thin cables about as big around as a garden hose traverse the Earth’s oceans carrying all our intercontinental internet data. Jul 31, 2024 · The backbone of the internet Undersea telecommunications cables are laid on the ocean floor at depths down to 8,000 metres. Technical developments have taken the cables through three distinct eras: telegraphy with single-conductor copper wires, beginning in the Sep 22, 2023 · Hidden beneath the waves and sprawling along the ocean floor, subsea cables account for approximately 95% of international data transmitted. Going unnoticed by most everyone in the world, these cables underpin the entire global internet and our modern information age. About 99% of global communication depends on Jan 10, 2024 · The cables move through high-speed mills the size of jet engines, wrapping the wire in a copper casing that carries electricity across the line to keep the data moving. Some undersea cables are positioned as much as 25,000 feet below the surface of the ocean. Interactive submarine cable map to explore the various active and under-construction cables under the sea. Dec 21, 2024 · About Underwater Cables: What it is: Fiber-optic cables laid under the ocean to transmit data at high speeds globally. These fiber optic bundles carry data and voice traffic around the world and serve as critical global links for communication and commerce. Submarine cable networks are critical pieces to the global flow of network data. Aug 6, 2023 · Laced across the cold depths of the world's oceans is a network of multimillion-dollar cables, which have become the vital connections of our online lives. Feb 11, 2025 · Most people assume the internet operates through satellites, but in reality, 99% of global internet traffic travels through undersea fiber optic cables. Apr 2, 2020 · Fiber optic cables allow us to transmit bits and bytes of data from one side of the world to the other in fractions of a second. Project Waterworth should be online by 2030. Meta, for example, recently announced plans to Apr 14, 2025 · Submarine Fiber Optic Cable: Top 10 Amazing Facts 2025 Connecting the World: Understanding Submarine Fiber Optic Cable Networks A submarine fiber optic cable is a high-capacity cable laid beneath the ocean that carries nearly all International internet and voice data between continents. In this post, Phil Gervasi explains the technology, politics, environmental impact, and economics of submarine telecommunications cables. These cables – often thousands of miles in length – are able to Jan 16, 2024 · Submarine cables are the backbone of the internet carrying 99% of international traffic and are underwater ocean links known as subsea and undersea cables. com. Aug 13, 2023 · Submarine Cables: Modern submarine cables are fiber-optic, capable of carrying multiple terabits of data per second. The cables located at the shallow end are buried below the ocean bed using high-pressure water jets. Dec 10, 2024 · The Submarine Cable Map is an interactive map created by TeleGeography that illustrates the global network of undersea communication cables and their landing stations. Why should you care? Apr 22, 2025 · Dynamic underwater cables are built for these harsh conditions. Jul 16, 2025 · Submarine cable networks serve as the backbone of the global internet, facilitating international transactions, video conferences, cloud deployments and much more. These massive cables, lying on the ocean floor, connect continents and make our hyper-connected world possible. Feb 19, 2025 · Meta has presented the Waterworth Project, an initiative aimed at building a 50,000-kilometer undersea cable that will provide internet connectivity in five continents. This map will show you where they are. and China rising, vast networks of underwater cables are becoming a new source of strain in international relations. Nov 7, 2025 · TeleGeography's comprehensive and regularly updated interactive map of the world's major submarine cable systems and landing stations. Explore the map Figure 1: Submarine Cable Network in Northeast and Southeast Asia (Maritime Awareness Project) While terrestrial cables and those within the jurisdictional waters of states fall under the regulation, protection, and control of the host nation, the regimes governing cables running through open seas are less clear. Apr 10, 2025 · Submarine cables have been around for a long time, and they're more important than ever for the modern world. 5 centimeter (0. Learn how fiber optic cables span oceans, connect continents, and power the global internet. After mid-century, coaxial cable came into use, with amplifiers. tech giants are rolling out a rapidly expanding network of transcontinental subsea cables, seeking to keep pace with growing bandwidth demand. Jan 29, 2014 · TeleGeography, a telecom data company, has released the 2014 version of its Submarine Cable Map. Are the Apr 4, 2025 · What Are Underwater Cables? Definition: Undersea or submarine cables are fibre-optic cables laid on the ocean floor that enable global internet and telecommunication connectivity. This sprawling web of subsea cables in the dark depths of the ocean seamlessly supports billions of daily online data exchanges. Aug 9, 2023 · Underwater fiber optic cables represent a marvel of modern technology, seamlessly bridging continents and oceans to facilitate the rapid and efficient transmission of information across the globe. These cables are the backbone of the global internet, carrying the bulk of international communications, including email, webpages and video calls. Search from 816 Undersea Cables stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. Subsea or submarine cables are fiber optic cables that connect countries across the world via cables laid on the ocean floor. These details are displayed in a pop-up when the line is selected. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, each cable was a single wire. Jun 8, 2025 · Subsea cables — powerful lines stretching across the seafloor — carry over 99% of international Internet traffic, making the world more connected than ever before. Mar 10, 2019 · The internet consists of tiny bits of code that move around the world, traveling along wires as thin as a strand of hair strung across the ocean floor. Aug 8, 2023 · Taking a Dip Things change appreciably for the “wet plant” equipment of submarine cables, which as the name suggests is everything that runs under the ocean. Undersea fiber optic cables are the backbone of the global internet, transmitting the vast majority of the world's digital communications across the ocean floors. As Phil Edwards explains for Vox, “The cables are so widely used, as opposed to satellite transmission, because they're so reliable and fast: with high speeds and backup Jun 8, 2025 · By Gustavo Streger When we think about the Internet, we often imagine satellites and Wi-Fi signals floating through the air. Today, more than a million kilometres of state-of-the-art submarine fibre-optic cables span the oceans, connecting continents, islands and countries around the world. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. One primary driver has been China’s rapidly expanding cable network, focused in the Pacific and developing nations stretching westward across the Indian Ocean to Europe and Africa. The longest cable runs from Germany to Korea, has 39 landing points, and is 24,000 miles long. ) but it is also possible to use submarine power cables beneath fresh water (large lakes and rivers). For example, the MAREA cable, a joint project by Microsoft, Facebook, and Telxius, spans the Atlantic Ocean and has a capacity of up to 200 terabits per second. To mitigate Jan 14, 2025 · A series of incidents involving undersea cables has drawn attention to their vulnerability and cast suspicion on vessels from Russia and China. But the real workhorses of global connectivity lie hidden beneath the ocean’s surface. Home Sitemap History and Science Map of ocean floor cables tapped by the NSA. The first transatlantic telephone cable, TAT-1, went into service in 1956 – actually two cables, one to carry the eastbound traffic, the other the westbound. Learn how undersea cables are laid by specialized cable ships, including the planning, installation, and testing process in this step-by-step guide. New Cables: IAX: Connects Chennai and Mumbai with Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. Jul 4, 2020 · Good-buoy! As the cable ship gets further out to sea, the buoys are removed and the cable sinks below the water. SSG designs and manufactures specific undersea fiber optic cable for telecommunications and oil & gas applications, whilst meeting the marine cable requirements of ruggedness, durability, and length. The map shows 285 cable systems current in existence or due online by 2015 around the world. This map was made possible in-part by our sponsor: Submarine Cable 101 How many cables are there? As of early 2018, there are approximately 448 submarine cables in service around the world. Jan 8, 2020 · Nearly 750,000 miles of submarine cables have been laid in the ocean to enable this type of inter-continental communication. In a changing world, Asian and European powers are looking for ways to protect these 99% of all internet traffic – from this video to your Pokemon Go account to your family WhatsApp group – runs on a hidden network of undersea cables. How Do They Work? Aug 16, 2024 · This paper addresses how the United States and its allies can more strategically compete with Chinese and Russian threats to subsea cables and reduce the vulnerability of cable systems. The panoramic view: a Christmas tree. See U. Mar 22, 2024 · Why are they a subject of concern? Despite their vital importance to global communications and the flow of money around the world, undersea cables are vulnerable to both accidental damage and Mar 6, 2019 · Undersea cables are the backbone of the internet. Without them, society would grind to a halt. These events underscore the importance of maintaining a robust and redundant cable network. These cables serve as the backbone of the internet, enabling international communication, data transfer, and various online services that have become an integral part of our daily lives. Explore the map Feb 19, 2025 · The bank transfer you made earlier, the movie you streamed last night and the video you’re viewing right now - all possible because of a vast network of undersea cables that power the global Jul 16, 2024 · With tech tensions between the U. Most of the world’s Internet traffic travels over these cables connecting continents and countries under the ocean. Dec 29, 2024 · A Global Network Today, over 95% of global data travels through undersea cables. While it is not wrong, the majority of the internet actually runs on under-sea cables. Sep 23, 2021 · A world of information is thrumming through miles of cables laying on the ocean floor. They are large, robust, and flexible – designed to withstand the forces found of the ocean and the demands of floating solar power plants, offshore fish cages, oil and gas platforms, and offshore wind turbines. These cables carry signals across the ocean; enabling telephone, internet, and private data transmission. With nearly 750,000 miles of cables crisscrossing the ocean floor, they form the backbone of the internet. Jul 25, 2019 · On July 29, 1858, two steam-powered battleships met in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Fixing them keeps us all connected – and has changed our understanding of the ocean. S. Here’s what you need to know at a glance: What it is: Undersea cables made of thin strands of glass (fiber How Are Internet Wires Laid Down in the Ocean? 99% of global digital communication relies on subsea cables. Today on Packet Protector, guest Andy Champagne dives into the history of submarine cables, the technological and operational advancements that allow voice and data to travel hundreds or thousands of miles under water Oct 29, 2015 · A new book and interactive map charts the history of undersea communications cables—and highlights their vulnerability. Submarine power cables can be anything from 70mm to, exceeding, 210mm in diameter and come in two flavours, AC or High Voltage AC (Alternating Current) and High Voltage DC (Direct Current). The narrative of the story should highlight the resilience of subsea cables and the Internet as a whole to continue working despite these and other faults. Mar 22, 2024 · Why are they a subject of concern? Despite their vital importance to global communications and the flow of money around the world, undersea cables are vulnerable to both accidental damage and Apr 16, 2025 · Over the past decade, “cable wars” have markedly accelerated, as geopolitics has entered the equation, for five basic reasons. Jun 9, 2025 · Both telecommunications and international trade rely on cables connecting continents across the ocean floor. Connecting places like the United States to Europe, or France to India, these submarine fiber optic cables permit the world’s web traffic to Jun 30, 2015 · For much as Verne offered a quickly paced adventure mildly disguised celebration of technological unification of the globe, the retrograde if glorious map masking as an engraved superimposing high-fibre cables on image of the ocean as understood in days gone conceals the clear corporate interests or material technology that underpin the Information Age. Mar 16, 2015 · Hundreds of thousands of kilometres of submarine cables lying on the ocean floor - sometimes at depths nearing 8,000 metres - are essential for powering the modern Internet, transmitting 99 percent of all international data. N. The map is a marvel, illustrating how submarine cables connect people. In fact, over 95 percent of international data and voice transfers are currently routed through the many fiber optic cables that crisscross the world’s seafloors. For the first time, get 1 free month of iStock exclusive photos, illustrations, and more. These cables vary in thickness, from computer connection cords to those as thick as a garden hose or a human arm. Cables also are laid on designated areas safe from anchoring areas, fault zones or fishing areas. This new edition depicts 529 cable systems and 1,444 landings that are currently active or under construction. DW explains where they lie and how they are protected. 48 million kilometres. Surprisingly thin, about the width of a garden hose, they withstand extreme underwater conditions. So why are they so vulnerable to attack? The first transatlantic telephone cable, TAT-1, went into service in 1956 – actually two cables, one to carry the eastbound traffic, the other the westbound. 5 million kilometers of submarine fiber optic cables. Dec 13, 2024 · What are undersea cables vulnerable to? Undersea cables are built from sturdy materials, designed to withstand harsh ocean conditions and accidental impacts, and have a lifespan of about 25 years. This network of criss-crossed cabling enables the world to stay connected. allies warned of "hybrid warfare" Tuesday after two undersea communication cables were severed in the Baltic Sea, raising suspicions that they may be the latest acts of sabotage targeting the Apr 16, 2025 · Over the past decade, “cable wars” have markedly accelerated, as geopolitics has entered the equation, for five basic reasons. Nov 3, 2015 · The cloud lies under the ocean. Nov 24, 2016 · Have you ever wondered how internet traffic flies around the world? 99% of it travels through cables under the sea. The development Mar 4, 2024 · Topline At least four undersea fiber optic cables, which carry approximately 97% of all Internet traffic, were damaged last week in the Red Sea, telecommunications providers are reporting, and Jan 4, 2025 · This interactive map shows all the undersea cables, along with connection points, construction dates, and ownership details. Apr 16, 2024 · The internet really is a series of tubes On The Vergecast: the vast world of undersea cables and the maybe upgrade coming to your PC. Submarine CablesSubmarine cables provide the primary means of connectivity – voice, data and Internet – between the United States and the rest of the world as well as connectivity between the mainland United States and consumers in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U. Nearer to the shore cables are buried under the seabed for protection, which explains why you don’t see cables when you go to the beach, but in the deep sea they are laid directly on the ocean floor. May 9, 2024 · A volcanic eruption in the South Pacific Ocean in January 2022 caused a tsunami and damaged an undersea fiber-optic telecommunication cable that connects Tonga, a Polynesian archipelago, to the rest of the world. Military and Cybersecurity Implications The strategic importance of undersea cables hasn’t gone unnoticed by governments. Feb 19, 2025 · The 31,000-mile cable will connect parts of the US, Brazil, South, Africa, and India. Subsea cables — powerful lines stretching across the seafloor — carry over 99% of international Internet traffic, making the world more connected… Nov 20, 2024 · A Chinese-flagged cargo ship draws attention after undersea internet cables were severed, leading European countries to investigate possible sabotage. Apr 12, 2024 · Beneath the relentless waves and vast expanse of the ocean lies a critical artery of global communication: submarine communication cables. Oct 15, 2024 · Ninety-nine percent of the world's digital communications rely on subsea cables. Feb 3, 2025 · Most of the world's data travels via ocean cables, which are at risk of frequent sabotage. Submarine cables are laid using special cable layer ships, such as the modern René Descartes [fr], operated by Orange Marine. There, they connected two ends of a 4,000 kilometer (2,500 mile) long, 1. Nov 19, 2024 · U. [1] These are called "submarine" because they usually carry electric power beneath salt water (arms of the ocean, seas, straits, etc. Lines representing the submarine cables displayed on the map are associated with attribute data about that cable such as the company that installed the cable, built it, how much it cost, its capacity, and many other details. The selection criteria for which type of cable to use is heavily dependent on the route length, voltage, transmission capacity and Grid synchronisation. The ship’s ROV will be lowered to the sea floor, where it churns toward the cable with shears and cuts it off. These cables lie on the ocean floor, transferring data between continents. Therefore, they play an important role in meeting the needs of international bandwidth usage. An undersea cable, also called a submarine communications cable, is a fiber-optic cable laid across the ocean floor that transmits information and enables worldwide communications. From humble beginnings in the mid-19th century with the first cable laid across the English Channel, to the sprawling networks of Mar 5, 2024 · It is a common misconception that most global communication is accomplished via satellite. Aug 16, 2024 · This paper addresses how the United States and its allies can more strategically compete with Chinese and Russian threats to subsea cables and reduce the vulnerability of cable systems. Dec 12, 2017 · Undersea cables transmit 99% of all international data. European officials are looking toward Russia after two submarine internet cables in the Baltic Sea were suddenly disrupted in an apparent sabotage operation, just weeks after the United States Jan 8, 2020 · Nearly 750,000 miles of submarine cables have been laid in the ocean to enable this type of inter-continental communication. The Mar 13, 2025 · Additionally, cables can be fitted with environmental sensors to capture ocean and climate change metrics. Are the Welcome back to the FLUCTUS channel for a discussion about how thousands of miles of undersea cables are installed and repaired and how the ocean poses uniqu Citation Communications cables under the seas have played a pivotal role in binding the world together—economically, politically and culturally—in ways that have been both beneficial and detrimental (or, one might say, stabilizing and destabilizing). Typically for a route length less than 80km, AC would Jul 7, 2022 · Submarine cables are part of the Internet’s “backbone”. Aug 17, 2020 · The diameter of cables that are spread under the ocean is close to the diameter of a soda can. Oct 28, 2025 · Explore the world beneath the waves with EarthLink. A submarine power cable is a transmission cable for carrying electric power below the surface of the water. 2. Apply to Product Line Manager, Network Engineer, New Product Development Manager and more! The potential to observe environmental conditions in the ocean using fibre-optic sensing along unmodified telecommunications cables is particularly exciting for scientists given the global reach of the submarine cable network and the limited monitoring that currently exists in the deep ocean, despite it being the largest habitable space on our Nov 21, 2024 · Investigators are trying to crack the mystery of how two undersea internet cables in the Baltic Sea were cut within hours of each other, with European officials saying they believe the disruption Apr 10, 2025 · Chinese researchers have unveiled a new deep-sea tool capable of cutting through the world’s most secure subsea cables − and it has many in the West feeling a little jittery. Protective layers and materials, including steel armoring, help safeguard the cables from physical damage and abrasion. Jul 14, 2025 · The conduits, which are spooled in big stacks on a boat before being buried in an underwater trench, are a crucial part of the grid as demand for electricity increases. Explore the marvels that connect continents and enable seamless global Nov 15, 2024 · Instead, the technicians on the ship will lower a grapnel, which the ship will then hitch up under the cable to just slightly raise it from the ocean floor. Submarine fiber optic cables are laid directly on the seafloor and are The text message you just sent and the show you streamed last night were almost certainly enabled by a subsea cable. Apr 1, 2024 · Undersea cables, also known as submarine communications cables, are fiber-optic cables laid on the ocean floor and used to transmit data between continents. IEX: Connects Chennai and Mumbai with France, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Djibouti. Dec 2, 2019 · Watch the explosive growth of the global submarine cable network, and learn who's funding the next generation of cables. These cables can transmit data and electricity between continents and countries. Apr 13, 2025 · The 2008 cable cuts near Egypt, which caused widespread internet outages in the Middle East and parts of Asia. Transatlantic communications cable Cable laying in the 1860s A transatlantic telecommunications cable is a submarine communications cable connecting one side of the Atlantic Ocean to the other. gwp odgzag jrk xlofdd bomdi lkcpkdx vyyl jqes hdth bjwcqu uzxsmuygc lgapl ozotmi uarv yxqfk