Undersea Fiber Optic Telecommunications Cables

Overview

• Underwater information superhighway connecting billions globally.
• Submarine cables form the backbone of the Internet, facilitating communication, commerce, and information flow.
• Cables are crucial for daily activities including banking, healthcare, and education.

Importance of Submarine Cables

• Carry $10 trillion in financial transactions daily.
• Serve as the central nervous system for national security and intelligence agencies.
• Society would be paralyzed if these systems were cut off.

Geopolitical Implications

• Cables are at the center of a technology war between superpowers (e.g., US vs. China).
• Accusations of espionage and cyber attacks on cables by China and the US.
• Control over data and cable infrastructure is a diplomatic and strategic issue.

Natural Disasters and Cable Vulnerability

• Example: Tonga's communication blackout after the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption in January 2022.
  • The eruption destroyed Tonga's only submarine cable.
  • Resulted in three days of internet blackout, causing anxiety among families abroad.
• Natural disasters pose a significant threat to communication infrastructure.

Global Network of Submarine Cables

• Nearly 500 cables exist globally, totaling 1.4 million km of fiber optics.
• 99% of data traffic (streaming, gaming, etc.) is carried on submarine cables.
• Comparison to historical trade routes of the 19th century.

Historical Context

• Origins of submarine cables trace back to the Industrial Revolution.
• The first transatlantic telegraph cable revolutionized communication.
• Cables have been casualties of both World Wars.

Cable Repair and Maintenance

• Average of one cable fault every three days worldwide.
• Fleet of cable repair ships operates globally to maintain and fix cables, often caused by fishing activities.
• State-of-the-art technology used to lay and repair cables; involves fiber optic cables encased in plastic and steel.

Dual Use of Cable Infrastructure

• Submarine cable industry serves both commercial and military purposes.
• Military operations use the same infrastructure, raising concerns about surveillance and data privacy.

Surveillance and Data Privacy Concerns

• Intelligence agencies are focused on data security due to potential espionage.
• Assumption that all data is private is questioned.
• Legal intercept allows governments to access data under specific conditions.

Influence of Major Powers

• Smaller countries depend on major powers for cable infrastructure funding and support.
• Example: China’s influence in the South Pacific through telecommunications infrastructure.
• Concerns over Chinese tech giants like Huawei due to national security issues.

Regional Impacts

• Countries like Taiwan and Tonga face challenges due to geopolitical tensions affecting their cable infrastructure.
• Taiwan has experienced numerous cable breaks, impacting its communication capabilities.
• The South China Sea is a contested area for cable routing, affecting regional security.

Future of Cable Industry

• Major tech companies (Google, Microsoft) are investing heavily in their own cable infrastructures.
• Efforts to build secure, trusted cable systems are underway, particularly in the Pacific region.
  • Quad alliance (US, India, Japan, Australia) focusing on secure cable connectivity.
• Growing tension suggests a bifurcation of the internet into US and China-backed networks.

Conclusion

• Submarine cables hold immense strategic value, influencing global communications and geopolitics.
• The interconnectedness provided by these cables is critical to economic growth, security, and societal functioning.
• Future developments in cable infrastructure will shape the global landscape amid rising geopolitical tension.